Best Portable Solar Panels 2021

Renewable energy is what will change the future. If you want full energy independence and learn how to use solar panels – this article will be useful to you.

Today we learn that a high rating is not the best product yet, but let’s go around in order. We begin.

TOP-13 Portable Solar Panels | Best Camping Solar Panels

Image	Product	Brand	Link
	ROCKPALS SP003 100W Foldable Solar Panel for Jackery Explorer/Flashfish/BALDR/Goal Zero Portable Power Station Generator and USB Devices, Portable Solar Panel Charger with 3 USB Ports	ROCKPALS
	RICH SOLAR 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel High Efficiency Solar Module Charge Battery for RV Trailer Camper Marine Off Grid	RICH SOLAR
	Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable 2Pcs 50W Solar Panel Suitcase Built-in Kickstand with Waterproof 20A Charger Controller	Renogy
	ALLPOWERS Portable Solar Panel 100W (Dual 5v USB with 18v DC Output) Monocrystalline Solar Charger Foldable Solar Panel for Laptop, Portable Generator, 12v Car, Boat, RV Battery	ALLPOWERS
	Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel, Compact Design 42.4 X 20.0 X 1.38 in, High Efficiency Module PV Power for Battery Charging Boat, Caravan, RV and Any Other Off Grid Applications	Renogy
	YINGHAO Upgraded Solar LED Lighting System & Phone Charger with 2 Imported LED Lights, 6W Solar Panel, 3.7 V / 8000 mah Lithium Battery, Charge Controller, USB Port with Cell Phone Chargers Included	YINGHAO
	Nekteck 21W Solar Charger(5V/3A Max) with 2 USB Port, IPX4 Waterproof Portable and Foldable Hiking Camping Gear SunPower USB Solar Panel Compatible with iPhone, iPad, MacBook Samsung Galaxy, and More
	Solar Panel, Anker 21W 2-Port USB Portable Solar Charger with Foldable Panel, PowerPort Solar for iPhone 11/Xs/XS Max/XR/X/8/7, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, Galaxy S9/S8/S7/S6, and More	Anker
	Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panel Recharger, Nomad 7 Plus	Goal Zero
	Portable Solar Chargers X-DRAGON 20W SunPower Solar Panel Waterproof Foldable Camping Battery Charger with Dual USB Ports & SolarIQ Technology for iPhone, iPad Mini, Samsung, Other Cell Phones	X-DRAGON
	Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel	Renogy
	Topsolar SolarFairy 100W Portable Foldable Solar Panel Charger Kit 18V DC Output for Portable Generator Power Station + 12V RV Boat Car Battery + USB & Type C for Cell Phone Tablet	Topsolar
	[Upgraded]BigBlue 3 USB Ports 28W Solar Charger(5V/4.8A Max), Foldable Portable Solar Phone Charger with SunPower Solar Panel Compatible with iPhone 11/Xs/XS Max/XR/X/8/7, iPad, Samsung Galaxy LG etc.	BigBlue

#1 Rockpals 100W Foldable Solar Panel

This is a standalone solar panel with many connectors for connecting to a zero product of almost all manufacturers. If you use this with a zero product, you can use 4 panels at the same time and increase the working power by 4 times! If you use it with other MC4 connectors, you can use the Renogy MC4 Y Branch Connectors to combine the two panels. To protect the panel and charging devices from overheating, TIR-C technology is included in the product. This is necessary to regulate the electric current consumed by the charging device.

When the device’s battery is charged, the panel turns off the power automatically, protecting the battery from overload. This panel is created portable so that you can always provide yourself with free energy anywhere. When folded, this is a small bag 20.5 * 14.2 * 2.6″. It will not take up much space in your luggage and will not be a heavy burden. The weight of this product is only 5.1 pounds.

To use this solar panel, it is necessary to decompose it into working condition and direct it perpendicular to the sun’s rays. About 50% of the effectiveness of this panel depends on the accuracy of the choice of angle. If you cannot provide the correct angle, the operating power will not exceed 30-40 watts.

#2 RICH SOLAR 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel

This solar panel from RICH SOLAR can be a good addition to provide your home or trailer with green energy. This panel has a rigid aluminum frame and can be mounted on a rooftop on wheels, on the lawn, or wherever you wish. The main requirement is good illumination throughout the day. This 100 W panel gives about 50 W, but during peak performance reaches over 60 W! For 1 clear day and under ideal conditions (the right angle, surface cleanliness, cooling from overheating and others), one RICH SOLAR 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Panel delivers the power of 500W / day.

For the long and productive work of your solar system, it is MANDATORY to use a charge controller, unfortunately, it is not in this kit. The controller is needed to limit power surges and reduce the passing current. If your battery consumes 12 volts and the panel gives out 20 volts, this could spoil it very quickly. In addition, the controller analyzes the status of the consumer and turns off the power so that a fully charged battery does not receive the excess charge. Unfortunately, the design of these panels is constantly changing.

If you ordered the same model with an interval of 1 month – fastenings and panel dimensions may vary. This can cause additional troubles. Be careful and ask the seller about the dimensions of the panel. It takes a few seconds, but it can be an unpleasant surprise.

#3 Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable

This is a self-sufficient system for converting solar energy into carefree days in nature. Just a few movements and a soft suitcase turns into a 100W dual solar panel. Under favorable weather conditions and proper positioning, this system can generate 7A at 12V voltage. Thanks to the waterproof charge controller, you can be calm in the rain or too bright sun. Your batteries will be charged and 12-volt devices will work properly.

To get clean energy you do not need much. Open the zipper and turn the panel towards the sun. Connect the panel to the rechargeable battery with alligator clips. Using an aluminum stand, adjust the maximum right angle (close to 90 degrees) to the sun. Select the type of rechargeable battery: gel, sealed, lithium, and flooded batteries. This must be done by controlling the charge controller and following the menu items on the liquid crystal display. That’s all! your system gives you energy!

The only drawback is the limited ability to expand the system. The charge controller has a maximum level of 10A when this panel of two solar units gives a maximum of 7A. Any new solar module will be redundant and ruin the controller. This self-contained system is well suited for traveling around the country in a motor home, or for long-term camping.

#4 ALLPOWERS 100W Portable Solar Charger

100W folding SunPower solar panel from ALLPOWERS. The company was founded in 2008 in Shenzhen. Despite its young age, Allpowers, thanks to the high quality of its products, very quickly conquered the markets of many countries. The company has a very competent pricing policy – the price of finished products and components is very affordable.

This panel is 3 in 1: a dual USB port with iSolar technology for charging gadgets with a power supply of 5 V / 2.4 A per port, a DC output of 18 V / 5 A for charging a laptop, and a 12 V portable generator or car battery. An external battery is not required to charge external devices – 100% green energy! A big plus of this panel is its size to which it can be folded. Therefore, it does not take up much space in your luggage or car. Another nice addition is the amazing amount of connectors and adapters.

On sunny days, she will be able to provide you with a recharge of all gadgets and small additional batteries. So be sure that with such a panel you will not be left without communication and light. Great product for convenience and mobility. Great for charging power plants anywhere, especially good when camping.

#5 Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel

This modern single-crystal solar panel is one of the best for this day because it has high efficiency at reduced sizes. With a power of 100W, these panels take up less space than competitors, which ultimately allows you to install more panels per unit area. This is especially important for a motor home, where the space (on the roof) is very limited. The panel is made using sheet lamination and has a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame. This provides good strength and durability withstanding strong winds (2400Pa) and snow loads (5400Pa). Prepared holes for different types of fasteners reduce the hassle of preparation and greatly simplify installation. The performance of these panels almost always corresponds to the declared characteristics. Under ideal operating conditions, each panel produces about 20V idling and a current of 5 A. If the panel you received does not match the declared power, contact the seller for a replacement. In addition, you can count on Amazon’s help in resolving disputes.

#6 YINGHAO Solar Lights Indoor Home

Yinghao presents a ready-made solar system for autonomous lighting on the porch, in the garage, barn, or in the workshop. With this system, you do not need to worry about the selection of components for the correct and safe operation of devices, everything is already agreed and assembled in 1 set.

You get really a lot for this price: 5.5-watt flexible solar panel with anti-reflective coating. The charger with a 5000 mAh battery and a charge indicator, has many ports (including USB) for charging a mobile phone. Two energy-saving lamps of 1 W each are suitable for outdoor use due to their compliance with the protection class – IP44. In addition, you get a set of cables, wires, and mounting bolts.

This system does its job, but not on the assessment of A +. In order to use the lighting during the day, you must disconnect the solar panel from the charger. This limits the installation location of the system. The installation process can also cause troubles because you need to do the fixing yourself. The battery capacity is enough for only 4 hours if you simultaneously use 2 lamps with consumption of 1W.

This system is self-sufficient and rather cheap, but weak. You will not be able to provide energy to the whole house, water supply, or ventilation, these are only 2 lamps for a cozy evening. If you do not already have experience with solar energy, with this kit you can begin practical training.

#7 Nekteck 21W Portable Solar Panel Charger

This Nekteck solar charger is portable and lightweight, but also very effective. A small case weighing 17.3 ounces can be expanded into a 26 * 11-inch rectangle and generate enough clean energy to charge 2 phones at the same time. All you need to do is connect the cables to the devices and deploy the panel to the sun. Clouds, shadows, and the angle of incidence determine the effectiveness of the panel, but guys!

Having fastened it on a backpack during a campaign you can collect the energy of the sun and charge several phones at once to 100%! While walking, you will certainly fall under the shade of trees or clouds will float above you. This will significantly reduce the flow of energy, so your device may disconnect from charging and expect a high charge. Do not count a 3-hour walk as a 3-hour battery charge.

It works a little harder. The main disadvantage of this system is that it does not save energy. If you don’t plug in your device or drive, you won’t get anything even on a super clear day! Therefore, you need a capacious power bank to collect energy and you will receive a stable flow of energy for your gadget through it. Another aspect you should be aware of is that rechargeable devices should be hidden in the shade and preferably in a cool place. During operation, the panel heats up and is also very hot under its surface.

If the rechargeable battery is hot, the system will disconnect it from the charge for fire safety. Hide the batteries deep into the bag or jacket and then you will get more.

#8 Anker 21W 2-Port USB Portable Solar Charger

This compact solar panel can be your life-saving companion on any camping trip or even in an emergency. Lightweight and size, and amazing flexibility allow you to carry Anker 21W in a backpack or mounted on top of a backpack, for simultaneous walks and get clean energy.

This system does not save energy, it converts the energy of the sun into 21W energy for your USB devices. If you open the solar panel on a gloomy day, the generated energy is enough for 10% of the charge every hour, for a consumer comparable to Samsung Note 3. On a sunny day, the charge is enough for 2 phones + 15% every hour. This is enough to have basic independence when the convenience of a metropolis is far from you.

There is only one danger that can ruin the experience of owning these products. If your consumer (battery) has old “brains” – it may not receive a charge from a successfully working panel. The reason is the settings of the battery charge controller. When the charging current is too low, the battery may cut off charging devices that are too weak. This is possible when the cloud closed the sun and the current strength decreased significantly.

Batteries of the “old model” may not block the contact, as they already once considered this the right decision. To correct this situation, you need to reconnect the rechargeable device. If this helped to update the charge, I have bad news for you, your old battery needs to be upgraded or replaced.

#9 Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panel Recharger

Goal Zero is an American company producing portable and portable power supplies, solar panels, and lights. Founded in 2009 by American Robert Workman. Since 2014, Goal Zero has been a subsidiary of the American energy giant NRG Energy. The outgoing power of the solar panels that they produce ranges from 7 to 200 watts. We will talk about the charging 7-watt solar panel of this company.

The device is very light and durable, as well as waterproof. It has a convenient removable stand for a modular design and an indicator of energy consumption providing the best impression of solar charging. It has patented technology for charging USB devices directly from the sun. The Nomad 7 Plus typically delivers about 5 watts per hour via a USB port in good sunny conditions.

This solar panel does not accumulate energy, it converts the energy of the sun into electricity, which can be used to charge power supplies or other elements that are charged via USB. This device can directly charge lights, flashlights, telephones, small USB devices, Power Banks but not laptops. This is one of the smallest solar panels that Goal Zero produces. The seller has 2 more panels with high power. It is up to you to decide which choice to make.

#10 Portable Solar Chargers X-DRAGON 20W

If before that we talked about compact solar panels – this is perhaps their little king. With an open size of only 23 x 12 x 0.12 inches, this panel gives 20 watts of power. Even if advertising is always considered to be true, these panels are 1/3 less and much more effective than competitors. To consolidate this advantage, the manufacturer patented SolarIQ technology, which allows you to always get maximum current and stable voltage.

This panel is made in the USA and has amazing efficiency (22-25%). If this is not enough for you – the kit contains everything that would assemble your first solar power station right from the box. The downside of this kit is the lack of USB extension cords. Devices that need to be charged can be stored in a mesh pocket, or under the panel. But be prepared that the panel will heat up to the device, creating a fire hazard. Add a little length to the cables and put the batteries in a dark and cool place.

#11 Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Extremely flexible 100 W single-crystal solar panel from Renogy. The seller also presented panels with power from 50 to 175 watts. Everyone will find what they need according to their needs. This super slim and powerful panel can bend up to 248 degrees – awesome! The panel was designed to withstand heavy snow loads (up to 5400 Pa) and extreme winds (up to 2400 Pa). Connecting such a panel is very simple.

You connect the plug to the connector that connects to the solar charger controller (MPPT or PWM type). We recommend buying a Renogy Voyager controller of the same company, an amazing duet will be released. It will work perfectly with a 240 W power station with its own charge regulator.

If it is not, then you need to add a controller. Ideal for roofs, boats, boats, vans, campervans, and any curved surfaces. You can mount such a panel in a variety of ways, depending on where you want to attach it. If you want to install in a stationary position, you can use C-shaped brackets. C-brackets allow mounting panels in a stationary, flat position.

If you want to install in an adjustable position, you must use a combination of rail mounting system, end clamps, and middle clamps. One middle clamp and two end clamps per panel are required. This will allow you to customize the panel. Renogy recommends using Sikaflex 252 as an adhesive for attaching these panels – this is great if you want permanent. The disadvantages of this panel are short wires and the absence of fixing holes in the corners. But overall an excellent and quality product. If the price is not important to you, then this may be a good choice for you.

#12 TP-solar 100W Foldable Solar Panel Charger Kit

This is a powerful folding solar battery to meet your mobile devices, laptop, and even a car battery. All you need to do is layout a small portable case and connect your device to the system. The red and green indicators will tell you whether there is enough generation power for a particular device. The LED light may change if the panel is shaded by a cloud or tree, but this does not mean that charging has stopped. This simply indicates that the power flow is low and the device will charge longer than usual. Another strength of this product is its versatility. This panel does not matter what you connect, laptop, phone, or car battery. It can meet all your needs even if you write software for a drone in the woods and test it on the spot. The only condition – the presence of bright enough light and your energy independence will last until sunset!)

#13 BigBlue 3 USB Ports 28W Solar Charger (5V/4.8A Max)

This portable solar panel has increased power up to 28 watts thanks to an additional section. Under ideal conditions, it could charge your phone as quickly as from a wall outlet, or charge up to 3 USB devices at the same time. One movement turns a small case into an important source of free energy. The good news is that this system is resistant to moisture and can withstand rain and wet fog. This is possible due to the protection of the surface with polymeric materials, and the addition of rubber covers for ports. It is a pity that during the design engineers did not provide for the installation of a blocking diode. In cases where the flow of solar energy is stopped due to clouds – the panel begins to suck energy from the device. So 90% of the phone in an hour can become 30%. Given these circumstances, we cannot recommend this panel for your energy security. But you should know that a large number of stars is not yet recognition of quality!

Conclusion

• No. 12. TP-solar 100W Foldable Solar Panel – for your energy independence and emergencies
• No. 5. Renogy 100-Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel – for fixed installation
• No. 7. Nekteck 21W Portable Solar Panel Charger – for Camping and Hiking Adventures

Dmitry Koval

Tactical & Survival Expert

I am from the generation that tried to repeat all the tricks of Jackie Chan, hunted birds with homemade bows, and built my mini-base in the forest. At the age of 18, I was a scout in PLAST (scout organization) and participated in campaigns and quests. Somehow we decided to test ourselves, took our backpacks and walked 50 km (31 miles) in 1 day. We had a lot of fun!

Remembering my past, I ask in bewilderment: “How am I alive after all my adventures?” - harsh trials, reckless parties, love affairs, and a sea of silliness.

My hobbies are weapon upgrades, tactical gear, and the latest in wilderness survival technology. I have hundreds of different survival gadgets in my collections, which are sent to me for "test-driving" by Amazon, eBay, and other online retailers. That's what I write about, and I also make YouTube videos about them! Stay tuned!

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