Portable solar panels are small, plug-in panels that you can take anywhere with you. Unlike mounted units, portable panels can’t power an entire home, but can be used to charge small electrical appliances, such as phones, laptops, or even microwaves. There are typically two types of portable panels: flexible solar panels and rigid foldable ones.
While most people associate solar power systems with large, fixed solar panels wired directly to a home or business, mobile solar systems offer a practical and affordable power solution for a range of applications.
Like mounted systems, portable solar panels tend to produce more electricity in the summer than in the winter. A typical 100-watt (W) portable solar panel can produce around 0.6–0.7 kilowatt hours (kWh) in one day, in optimal conditions. That’s enough to keep a few phones or a laptop charged.
The amount of power your portable solar panel will provide depends on its wattage, its efficiency rating, and the amount of sunlight it absorbs. Like mounted systems, portable solar panels tend to produce more electricity in the summer than in the winter.
Like standard solar panels, portable panels don’t require much maintenance. The main thing owners need to do is keep their solar panels clean and clear of dust or debris. The best way to clean your portable solar panels is with warm soapy water and a non-abrasive soft sponge.
Similar to a mounted solar system, to use the electricity your portable panels generate, you need to connect them to a solar inverter. Solar inverters convert the direct current (DC) electricity generated from panels into alternating current (AC) electricity – the kind electrical appliances use.