Portable Foldable Solar Panel Kits and Systems
Foldable portable power stations are available from 40w up to 200w. These portable solar panels are a great way to maximize the storage capacity of your RV or garage. They can be stored for extended periods of time and are easily deployed when extra power is required for outdoor activities or emergency backup power.
Complete and ready to use!
When you arrive at your destination, the set up process takes less than 5 minutes. Unpack the bag/case, unfold the portable solar panels, adjust the tilt legs, set on the ground in direct sunlight pointing south, and connect the wires to your battery.
We carry Go Power! and Zamp Solar, two manufacturers that produce great solar panels. We have summarized the main features of each manufacturer to help our customers choose the best model for their needs.
Zamp Solar folding kits feature monocrystalline portable solar panels that are ground mounted, have adjustable tilt legs for optimum tilt angle, have a built-in charge controller, and 16t.lead wire with battery clips for easy hookup.
These portable power stations can be folded and stored safely in a padded carrying bag. Warranty is 1 year on workmanship and 20 years on power output. (Bosch cells from Germany)
GoPower foldable portable solar panels have polycrystalline technology, have folding legs to maximize solar exposure and for compact easy storage. They have a 12-foot lead wire with battery clips for easy hookup and can be folded up and stored in a heavy-duty nylon case.
Tips For Choosing Foldable Portable Solar Panels
Portable solar panels provide 12-volt power for charging 12-volt batteries. They consist of two 12V solar generators hinged together so they can be folded together when not in use. They have attached hinged legs, a small solar regulator, power cables, and battery clamps.
Whether you need a powerful 200W portable solar panel for the RV/emergency backup or a compact 40W solar kit complete with a carry bag and regulator, you will find the size to meet your off-grid needs.
Portable solar panels are a convenient source of power when outdoors
To use the portable solar panels, just place them in direct sunlight and connect the cable from the regulator to a 12-volt battery. The solar regulator will ensure the battery is not overcharged and convert sunlight into clean energy. All you need is the sun for free solar energy.
Portable solar panels from 40 watts up to 200 watts
There are many sizes to choose from. You can enjoy the convenience of solar power when traveling and camping, so instead of attaching a solar panel to the roof of your boat or RV where it is vulnerable to damage and theft, choose from our range of folding portable solar panels.
Each panel is equipped with good-quality solar modules, an attached solar regulator, cables and battery clamps. Whether you need powerful 200W portable solar panels for the RV/ emergency backup or a compact 40W solar kit complete with a carry bag and regulator, you will find the size to meet your needs.
How to choose the right size portable solar panel
To choose the right size portable solar panel for your needs, you need to know how much power your devices will consume. We work that out using either the total power consumption in watts or the direct current draw in amps.
Using watts to estimate power requirements can be misleading
To select a solar panel for powering a 15-watt light for six hours a day, we first calculate the energy the bulb will use: 15W bulb will consume 6 x 15 = 90 watts each day. Therefore, the solar panel will generate about 90 watts each day. Let's assume five hours of sunlight, so the solar panel needs to generate 18W per hour, so a 20-watt solar panel will generate more electricity.
That seems fairly straightforward, but unfortunately, it can be wrong. We will see why when we use the current drawn to calculate power requirements.
Using amps to estimate power requirements
You should use the current draw-in amps to be more accurate. Let's calculate the amp-hours the solar setup will need to generate. Using the same example of the 15-watt light bulb, we note that it consumes 1.25 amps, so after six hours, it will drain 7.5 amps from the battery, which needs to be replaced every day.
If you want a solar panel large enough to top up the battery in 5 hours of sun, then it must generate 1.5 amps. Reading the electrical data for a 20-watt solar module shows that the maximum amps (Imp) is 1.2 amps.
That is not enough, so our previous calculation using watts gave incorrect data. Why? Because the solar panel generates about 18 volts, we only use about 14 volts to recharge the battery, and the rest of the solar power is wasted. Using amps, we see that we will need a larger solar panel, which, in this case, is a 30-watt solar panel with an Imp of 1.8 amps.
Choose a battery with enough amp-hour capacity
You will need a 12-volt battery with enough capacity to store the power, so select a battery with double the required daily needs for a couple of reasons: Firstly, batteries should never be drained too much as it shortens their life, and secondly, if you have enough battery power to last for a couple of days then you are not too reliant on having good sunshine every day.
Larger portable solar panels require solar regulators
To prevent overcharging the battery, connect a solar regulator (Charge controller) between the panels and the battery. Still, if you are using a small solar panel just to trickle charge a large battery, it can be connected directly to your battery.
Small portable solar panels
If you need a smaller solar charger to trickle charge large batteries and power banks, then choose one of the 10-watt portable solar panels.
Use portable solar panels to charge your laptop and mobile phone
Many standard 12V power car adapters for electronic devices will plug into portable solar panels with 12 sockets. For maximum efficiency, some portable power stations feature USB C ports and USB A compatibility to ensure you can charge various devices during remote outdoor activities such as camping.
You can also use compact inverters to power small 120VAC appliances. Inverters must be connected to a battery and cannot run directly from the solar cells.
Empower Your Outdoor Lifestyle Today
Ready to embrace the freedom of portable solar power? Explore our range of high-quality portable solar panels and take the first step towards energy independence. From compact solar generators for backpackers to larger systems for RV enthusiasts, we have the perfect solution for your mobile power needs.
The Solar Store is dedicated to helping you transition to an eco-friendly lifestyle easily. Contact us today, and we'll support you throughout your journey to energy independence.