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One answer to energy shortages was above us all along, and now solar panels have become commonplace and affordable enough for everyone to have one either in their home, garage, car, or emergency kit.
The best part is that you don’t need to travel or live off-the-grid to benefit from these. Having a set of solar panels to use is excellent insurance against power outages, offers a reliable power supply when traveling or not, or even just to save some money on your current electric bill each month.
How to Pick the Best Portable Solar Panel
Here’s what we suggest reviewing before taking a first step into getting portable, powerful solar panels:
Power: On average, 100 watts of power is a safe minimum for portable panels, one that’s going to supply enough energy to use most common devices, (by comparison, the stationary rooftop ones are around 440W). A single-pin output to plug into the power station can help simplify things for beginners. Another thing to remember is that when the temperature rises, the efficiency can take a hit. Though the all-black models can look sleek and modern, efficiency-wise, a white backsheet offers higher power outputs, since it helps the module stay cooler on those blazing-hot days.
Power Station: You’ll most likely need a power station where you can store all this energy that your panels have absorbed. To take it a step further, home integration kits are available to hook up your solar reserves to your home’s electrical system. If that’s the case, and you won’t really be traveling with them, a bigger and bulkier option is much easier to drag outside rather than fold up and stuff into, or onto, a vehicle each time you need it.
Weatherproof: Will these be living outside all the time? If so, make absolute sure that they’re up for whatever nature throws at them, and won’t be affected by wet and moist environments. Also make sure it works well in the shade if you’re not living in a sunny climate or location. If this is for a boat, or you’re even near an ocean, check to see if it’s suited for saltwater exposure too. Rugged tempered glass can also handle the typical damage against things like branches falling on it.
Portability: Along with being weatherproof, think ahead as to where this is going to be. If you’ll be carrying this constantly, you’ll want one that folds up nicely, with a handle, and a strong build like an aluminum frame to keep it light and durable. Installation also goes hand-in-hand with this: Make sure it’s simple to set up, and avoid an unnecessary hassle every time you need to unfold it quickly, especially in an emergency.
Extras: Items like a carrying case should be included to protect it everywhere, from the garage to the back of your RV. Other items like a kickstand are a big help when setting it up and angling it towards the sun, while an included cable can transfer energy to your power station instantly.
