Portable solar panels can be used to generate power wherever you go, be it sailing trips, camping trips, or road trips. Generating electricity on the move used to be difficult, if not impossible, but this has changed with the introduction of portable solar panels.

It goes without saying (we hope!) that solar power is a form of renewable energy. Apart from the initial system costs, your energy production won't cost you anything. Traditional solar panels aren't meant to be moved around.

That's why portable solar panels are an excellent choice for generating a couple of kW on the go - if the weather is good!

Recent generations of portable solar panels are increasingly durable, lightweight, and weather-resistant. They're also not too inconvenient to transfer or carry around, meaning you could even use them as a source of backup power at your home in a pinch!

In this guide, we'll talk about the intricacies of portable solar panels and the factors you should consider before making a choice. Higher quality portable solar panels are more expensive and generate more power, but they aren't necessarily the model you'll need.

Let's talk solar panels!

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Factors to Consider When Buying Portable Solar Panels

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A portable solar panel kit can have a corrosion-resistant aluminum stand or feature one or multiple USB ports. These are just some of the features that portable solar panels have; you must consider and compare them before choosing which portable solar panel you want to get.

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Weight & Size

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This should be the first thing you consider while searching for the best portable solar panels for you. Typically, the larger a solar power kit is, the higher its efficiency.

The good news is that we're talking about foldable solar panels that can easily be accessed for a quick recharge. Many of them are the size of a briefcase so the panel weighs not as much as you'd expect. With that said though, you might have to get something extremely portable if there's a lack of space.

Alternatively, you could opt for getting portable solar kits with a nylon exterior as their foldable panels are easier to fold and are lighter, but they're less durable than the portable solar panels with a metal frame.

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Power Output

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Keep in mind though that you're sizing your kit based off of your needs, not necessarily the highest output factors.

Once you've figured out the size of your wanted solar panel, it's time to consider the power output. The overall energy output should depend on how much energy you'll need. Are you using your portable solar panels for a camping trip? That typically means you'll want to periodically charge small devices.

Mobile phones generally don't require a lot of power to charge (a 15-watt portable panel will do just fine) but for anything more you'll need larger solar panels. Keep in mind that you'll also need a battery pack or two to store the generated energy as well.

A word of advice - unless you're planning on going on adventures while it's completely sunny, it may be wise to look into a solar generator. Otherwise, you may not have enough juice during cloudy conditions because the portable power station won't be able to work at maximum efficiency.

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Durability & Quality

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Most trips out to nature aren't gentle and lackluster equipment can easily break down or get damaged. Portable solar panels come in all shapes and sizes and the same is true for how well they're made.

To get the maximum life of your solar kit, you'll want something that's tough, water-resistant, and compact to fight the elements. No matter how many panels you need or how much wattage is required, you should always choose more higher quality options to maximize durability.

However, if you're planning on hiking, large solar panels won't do as they're both heavy and easy to damage on foot.

Some other important features that you should definitely look for are the use of alligator clips, rust-resistant materials, strong tempered glass, and reinforcement (and replaceability) of vulnerable parts. It's worth paying the extra cost to avoid having to replace your solar generator quickly after purchase lest something breaks.

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The Best Portable Solar Panels

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• Best overall portable solar panel - Renogy 100W Monocrystalline off-grid portable solar panel (foldable)
• Best portable solar kit with a battery - Jackery 1000W Peak solar generator SG550 with 100W solar panels
• Best for use on RVs - Go Power! GP-PSK-130 portable solar kit with 10 amp solar charge controller (foldable)
• Best portable solar panel for cheap - Dokio 160W portable solar panel (foldable)
• Best briefcase-design portable solar panel - Goal Zero Boulder briefcase 100 solar panel
• Best portable solar panel for mobile phones - SunJack 15-watt ETFE Monocrystalline portable solar panels (foldable)

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The 6 Best Portable Panels Reviewed

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Renogy 100W Monocrystalline off-grid portable solar panel (foldable)

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Thanks to its incredible efficiency, superb portability, and sturdy design, the Renogy 100W monocrystalline solar panel is an exceptional choice.

The Renogy system costs around $220 (depending on whether or not you choose to include the solar charge controller) and measures 27 inches wide (when set up) and 40 inches long. The solar panel itself is capable of gathering plenty of energy even when it's cloudy and there's less sun.

The Renogy solar panel comes with a corrosion-resistant stand made of aluminum and a sturdy protective case with latches and handles. The solar panel weighs around 27 pounds making it somewhat heavy but very efficient when it comes to generating electric energy.

Equipment to connect your portable solar panel to devices are sold separately.

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Jackery 1000W Peak solar generator SG550 with 100W solar panels

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If you need a battery charge station with your portable panel, the Jackery SG550 is for you. It's perfect for traveling and going off-grid due to its efficiency and power generation. This solar panel can generate an impressive 1000W peak power (with the battery) and comes with 100W solar panels.

You'll also be able to keep an eye on the output and voltage of the solar panel thanks to the MPPT module, increasing overall efficiency by 23%. Even better, the Jackery solar panel lets you charge up to seven electrical devices at a time making it perfect for longer trips or those with multiple devices. Need to hook up a mini-fridge, phone, drone, string lights, laptop, camera, LED light, iPad all at once? This system has you covered.

One of the most convenient aspects of a solar generator system is it's flexibility with regards to recharging. You can charge your Jackery system with a wall outlet, a car outlet or through the solar panel!

However, it is pretty expensive coming in at more than $800.

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Go Power! GP-PSK-130 portable solar kit with 10 amp solar charge controller (foldable)

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The key to creating a stellar portable solar kit is weight. The Go Power! GP-PSK-130 portable solar kit is one of the heavier options, but still light at 28.66 pounds.

This 130-watt solar panel can provide an exceptional 6.9 amps/h which is more than enough for a traditional trip. This is why it's the best option for those who own an RV and want to go off the grid for a while.

It comes with adapter cables that you can connect to a battery and a digital-screen solar controller for monitoring output and input power. The foldable solar panel can easily be mounted on the roof of the RV and costs around $510 at most retailers.

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Dokio 160W portable solar panel (foldable)

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If you're somewhat short of cash but still want a relatively powerful foldable solar panel, then the Dokio 160W solar panel is a great choice. It costs just $190 and can generate quite a lot of power - 160 watts of it.

The most impressive feature of the Dokio 160W is its weight. Usually, you would expect polycrystalline solar panels to be the lightest - this monocrystalline panel comes in at just 9 pounds!

All of this comes at a price. The panel isn't as good in low-light areas and must be positioned in the sun at a certain angle, not to mention the lack of a kickstand which requires you to lean the panel against something. The exterior is made of nylon which makes the solar cells water-resistant but it also makes the whole construction fairly weak and prone to breaking if tossed in the back of your van.

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Goal Zero Boulder Briefcase 100 solar panel

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The Goal Zero company was formed in 2007 in Africa by people who wanted to bring accessible and affordable power generation to the various communities that previously never had power. Since then, the company has become a well-respected name in the solar industry and their Boulder Briefcase solar panel shows just that.

Costing $300, the Boulder Briefcase is a rugged, high-quality solar panel capable of powering your coffee maker and other kitchen appliances in the camp with ease. It features two 50-watt solar panels and a kickstand which allows ease of setup.

The design of this solar panel is simple and versatile, allowing for easy connection with additional panels.

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SunJack 15-watt ETFE Monocrystalline panels

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If the only reason you're looking for a portable solar panel is to charge a phone or other USB devices, the SunJack ETFE monocrystalline panel is both affordable, powerful, and compact.

This is a smaller solar panel so it can't generate a lot of electricity, but it's more than enough to keep your phone charged. It weighs a measly 1.3 pounds and is the size of a tablet when not in use. The panels are foldable, stain-proof, shockproof, and weather-resistant.

It's also very cheap; the SunJack monocrystalline panel will cost you just $60 and should fulfill your off-grid energy needs (for small devices). One word of advice - even though this solar panel supports device charging directly from the sun (through its dual USB ports), it's best if you connect it to a battery or portable power bank.

So, if you're looking to use the energy of the sun for charging mobile phones and other small similar devices, this could be a cost-effective choice.

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Portable Solar Panel FAQs

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How long can a set of portable solar panels last?

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Well, many portable solar panels can last a couple of years before encountering issues but this isn't a guarantee. For starters, you may accidentally knock the portable solar panel over, damaging it. Additionally, cheaper solar panels sometimes don't come with a warranty and break after a few years.

A solar power station with fixed solar cells can last up to 30 years with proper care. But those require charge controllers and can generate a much higher wattage than necessary. So, it's best to pay extra and get something durable with high efficiency when it comes to portable solar power.

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Are portable solar panels weather-resistant (incl. rain, snow loads, etc.)

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A portable solar panel can usually withstand bad weather but only up to a certain point. Heavy rain, strong winds, and snow can ruin a power station in no time. Fixed solar systems for your home are far more weather resilient. Even if the portable solar energy panels are resistant to bad weather, you should still do your best to keep them out of those conditions. This will protect the panels and prolong their lifetime.

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How to use portable panels?

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A portable solar panel can be used in a simple way. One way of doing so is by connecting small appliances such as mobile phones directly to the solar panels. However, you'd need to angle the panels so they're taking in direct sunlight, and even then, direct Sun charging isn't known for its efficiency.

The better option would be to use a battery of sorts (battery pack, charge controller, power stations, etc.) to harness and store solar energy. These systems also moderate output better to better maintain your electrical devices. Energy output begins once you connect electric devices to the battery.

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