Portable Solar Panel & Foldable Solar Panel Kits

According to EnergySage, "Portable solar panels typically use high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells, which means it takes fewer solar cells to produce the same amount of energy – this drastically cuts down the overall size and weight of your solar power system." Portable foldable solar charging systems are available from 40w up to 200w. These portable foldable panels are a great way to maximise storage capacity of your RV or garage, and can be stored for extended periods of time. They're easily deployed when the extra power is required for vacations or emergency backup power.

Complete and Ready to Use

Setting up these solar panels is quick and easy. When you arrive at your destination, the setup process takes less than 5 minutes. Simply unpack the bag or case, unfold the panels, adjust the tilt legs, place them on the ground in a sunny location pointing south, and connect the wires to your battery.

Manufacturers We Recommend

We carry products from SolarlandUSA and Zamp Solar. Both manufacturers offer excellent portable foldable solar panel products, and we have summarized their main features to help you choose the best model for your needs.

Zamp Solar

These folding kits feature monocrystalline solar panel technology, are ground mounted, have adjustable tilt legs for optimum tilt angle, include a built-in charge controller, 16ft lead wire with battery clips for easy hookup, and can be folded up and stored safely in a padded carrying bag. Warranty is 1 year on workmanship and 20 years on power output.

Solarland USA

Their portable folding solar panel kits use polycrystalline technology, are ground mounted, have adjustable tilt legs, include a built-in charge controller, 16ft lead wire with battery clips for easy hookup, and can be folded and stored in an aluminum case. Warranty is 1 year on workmanship and 5 years on power output.

Tips for Choosing a Portable Foldable Solar Panel Kit

Power for 12V Batteries

Portable foldable solar panel kits provide 12-volt power for charging 12-volt batteries. They consist of two 12V solar panels hinged together, with hinged legs for support and a small solar regulator with connected power cables and battery clamps. The whole kit can be carried in a bag or case.

Convenient Power Source

Portable solar panels offer a convenient source of power when outdoors. To use them, just place them in the sun and connect the cable from the regulator to a 12-volt battery. The solar regulator ensures that the battery is not overcharged. All you need is sunlight to produce clean and free solar energy.

Various Sizes

Portable solar panels range from 40 watts to 200 watts, allowing you to choose the size that best meets your needs. Enjoy solar power while traveling and camping without permanently attaching a solar panel to your boat or RV, making it vulnerable to damage and theft. These portable folding solar panels use good quality solar modules and have attached solar regulators including cables and battery clamps. Whether you need a powerful 200W panel for RV/emergency backup or a compact 40W kit complete with a carry bag and regulator, you'll find the appropriate size.

Determining the Right Size

Power Consumption

To choose the right size portable solar panel, you need to estimate your device’s power consumption. This can be done using either the total power consumption in watts or the current draw in amps. However, using watts can sometimes be misleading due to inefficiencies in power conversion.

Using Amps for Estimation

Using current draw in amps provides a more accurate estimation. Calculate the amp-hours needed by your device. For instance, a 15W light bulb consuming 1.25 amps drains 7.5 amps in six hours. To top the battery in 5 hours of sunlight, the solar panel must generate 1.5 amps. Hence, a larger solar panel of 30 watts with an Imp of 1.8 amps is required.

Battery Capacity

Ensure that you have a 12-volt battery with sufficient capacity to store the power, ideally double the daily requirements, to avoid excessive drainage and to cope with a few days without sunshine.

Additional Tips

Regulators for Larger Kits

Prevent overcharging by connecting a solar regulator or charge controller between the panels and the battery. For trickle charging a large battery with a small solar panel, direct connection is viable.

Trickle Charge with Smaller Panels

For those needing to trickle charge large batteries, a 10-watt solar panel is an adequate choice.

Charging Electronics

Utilize portable solar panels to charge laptops and mobile phones. Standard 12V power car adapters for electronic devices can be plugged into the solar kits with 12V sockets. Alternatively, use compact inverters to power small 120VAC appliances, keeping in mind that inverters must be connected to a battery, and cannot run directly from the solar panel.

For more detailed guidance, explore our additional resources: Half-cut Solar Cells: What You Need to Know and How To Use Our New Custom Solar Panel Design Tool. Whether you're in the market for a powerful portable solar solution or just need a reliable backup, the right equipment is within reach.