The biggest barrier for people interested in going solar power is the high upfront cost.
There are various ways to considerably lower the cost of going solar such as buying gently used panels. You can also buy good quality cheap solar panels. Then there are also some highly cost effective other solar power solutions that you can explore.
But what if you want to take it to another level? What if you want to get the best of the best? Something like the best solar panels on the market?
Well, then you have to consider cost per watt. But what if you could get a good quality solar panel that folds up into a small unit and then unfolds out to a large panel and it's cheap to boot?
For some people, very cost conscious, and intrigued by the physics and engineering behind the design it sounds like a great buy.
And so, I put together this short buying guide on foldable solar panels to help you make the right decision about whether those foldable solar panels are right for you.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel | Best Overall |  |
| MOOLSUN Solar Charger 24W Portable Solar Panel Charger | Budget Pick |  |
| Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable 2Pcs 50W Solar Panel Suitcase Built-in Kickstand | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel
Pros:
- The most popular portable solar panel on the market
- Over 50 buyer reviews on Amazon with a rating of 4.3/5
- Includes a USB charging port for your smartphone and other portable devices
- Very affordable price considering its many uses
- Includes an 18 month complete satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- Only works for charging smaller devices
- Does not have a battery pack installed
The Jackery SolarSaga is one of the top folding solar panels on the market. It acts as a charger as well as a portable power supply for your electronic devices. It comes with a built-in 5000mAh Li-polymer rechargeable battery. Without a direct sunlight source, it takes about 20 hours to completely charge the battery.
Since it only weighs 5 pounds, this folding solar panel is easy to carry with you in your ruck sack. It is tough enough to withstand constant use and still function perfectly. You can also adjust the settings by pressing a button in order to vary the output and the way in which the power works.
One of the best features of this panel is its built in Solar Charge Controller that allows you to organize a number of output ports. This allows you to charge up to 2 USB devices at once. This solar charging panel comes with a detailed user guide that will walk you through every step of the process.
2. Rockpals 100W Foldable Solar Panel Charger
Pros:
- Fully charged in 8 hours
- Good customer service
Cons:
- Should be kept in shade during the day
- Does not work well in the heat
Solar panels are very important for companies that are interested in taking their business online. You need a powerful solar panel to keep your electronics going in case of a power outage. However, you need to choose a foldable solar panel for portability.
There are a number of companies out there producing solar panels. You need to carefully compare the products to make the right choice.
Recently, I have come across this product from a company called Rockpals. Let’s take a closer look at the product.
3. Kingsolar Solar Charger 40W Portable Solar Panel Charger
Pros:
- Multiple USB ports
- High Capacity yet lightweight
- Solid construction
- Attractive aluminum frame
Cons:
- Some users found the manufacturer confusing.
- This is our top pick of the best foldable solar panels for 2020.
- It’s sturdy but lightweight, with a high enough output to charge smartphones, tablets, laptops, cameras, and even power tools.
- Users report that this foldable solar charger works well without any problems.
Foldable solar panels can get pretty bulky, but this one is much more compact than most. This is thanks to the folding design, which helps to achieve a low folded size without compromising any of the solar panels key features.
Solar panels themselves are not lightweight, so the fact that this one only weighs 18.
4. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable 2Pcs 50W Solar Panel Suitcase Built-in Kickstand
Pros:
- Very lightweight and portable
- Capable of charging 24Ah batteries with an efficiency of up to 85%
The Renogy 100 Watt is the most powerful foldable solar panel for 2020. It is a universal solar panel that will work best for small power charged systems, powering DC appliances, lighting systems or charge a battery.
Did I mention how easy it is to set up? With practical folding design, it is incredibly portable and can be mounted virtually anywhere with our portable mounting brackets.
It also comes with a built in 20A controller, 12.5ft Micro-USB cable, 30A MC4-Solar connector cables, and zippered carrying bag.
5. TWELSEAVAN 100W Portable Foldable Solar Panel Charger
Pros:
- Covers a wider variety of power options
- Includes 6 USB ports
Cons:
- Expensive
- No battery pack
Dual-Slot Super Speed Output, Voltage Detector for iPhone X(Not Charging), iPad and More.
The TWELVEAVAN is the best pure portable solar panel you can get at the moment. It covers a much larger range of power demands, from a single USB to a 20V 22A socket. This means it covers the full range of Solar Panels for 2020, from USB to power tools.
The included USB powerbanks also fall into a higher efficiency, higher watt output than most traditional power banks. This means in a pinch, it can supply a power supply for a laptop!
6. BigBlue 28W Solar Charger
Pros:
- Versatile
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Quite fragile
- Solar panel lifespan is limited
One of the most impressive features of the BigBlue 28W Foldable Solar Charger is its versatility – it can be fixed on the windows or your backpack while you charge it from there. It also has an optional eyelet for you to secure it at a fixed point.
Another great thing about it is that it has a battery that can keep the power in your devices for extended periods of time. With the BigBlue, you can extend your phone’s battery life.
This foldable solar charger is easy to use, and you don’t need to do any installation as well as complicated configuration to make it work. This product is also affordable and runs entirely off solar power.
7. MOOLSUN Solar Charger 24W Portable Solar Panel Charger
Pros:
- Lightweight and compact for easy carrying.
- It is made up of quality material and can stand up to daily use.
- It comes with convenient features like built-in power lights and overcharge/discharge protection so you’re assured of its safety and reliability.
- It has a 24W solar panel that works efficiently with its detachable 2.1A USB Cable and 3 USB charging ports.
- A single charge is enough to meet up with your demands. It is compatible with a variety of electronic devices like smartphone, tablet, camera and many more.
- With it, you can always have a fully charged battery for your devices because it has a low-voltage protection.
- The speed of the charging is faster than others.
- It has a multi-protection system which makes it stand out from other solar chargers.
- You can use it as a backup supply to charge your devices during emergency situations.
- It is ideal for any outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, camping, and conducting surveying.
The charging speed is a little bit slow. You might need to wait longer to be able to use your phone, camera, or laptop.
8. ECO-Worthy Upgrade 120 Watt Foldable Solar Panel Battery Charger Kit
Pros:
- This portable solar panel holds charge and works well.
- Has fast charging for most types of products.
- You can charge your phone and other products directly from the panel.
- The unit was easy to unpack and set up, but it needs to be done in the proper configuration.
- The solar panels work great and are easy to store.
- This system can be setup quickly.
Cons:
- The solar panels weigh about 40 pounds, which could be hard to carry if you have a long distance to go.
9. RAVPower Solar Charger 16W Solar Panel
Pros:
- Folds down to an incredibly compact size and has a hook for easy storage or hang on a backpack
- Has two USB output ports for dual charging
- Quick and easy setup
- Reasonably priced
- Waterproof
- Fairly sturdy for its weight
Cons:
- Only 16W, not enough to charge an upper model cell phone
- Charges at the rate of about 1.5A, which means it would take all day to charge your cell phone
- Not a heavy load capacity (maximum around 1A @ 3.7V)
- Basic Battery status readings (voltage, battery percentage left)
The RAVPower 16W Solar Panel with Dual USB Port is a foldable, portable solar panel charger that is small and lightweight but still delivers. The solar panel is the size of a trade paperback book and weighs less than a pound yet can convert the sun’s power into a usable source of energy.
This solar panel has a max output of 16W, which is enough for even the highest-end smartphones and tablets on the market. It also comes with a one-year warranty, which gives you some peace of mind as well.
10. SUAOKI Solar Charger 60W Portable Solar Panel Foldable Power Station/Goal Zero Yeti/Webetop/Paxcess/ROCKPALS Power Station Generator and Laptop Tablet GPS iPhone iPad Camera
Pros:
- Foldable design
- Professional and easy to use
/Medical Devices/Cell Phone/Laptop/Camera/Game Console/Monitor/External Battery/Tablet/Lighting/Radio/Camera/Bike Lights/Walking Stick/Power Tools/Power Tools/Solar Flashlight/Solar Lantern/Solar-Powered LED Sleep Reading/Camping/Portable Fridge/Coffee Maker/Radio/Generator 2.0
TheSUAOKI Solar Charger 60W Portable Solar Panel Foldable Power Station is a great option for charging your phone, medical devices, laptop, and much more from the sun.
When you open the box, you’ll find a solar panel that weighs a little over 2lbs, a tripod stand, a charging cable for USB devices, a carrying bag, a user manual, and a customer service contact card.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best folding solar panel?
Solar panels are super important and always good to have.
They consist of two main parts. The first is the solar cells, which are the tiny pieces of silicon that capture energy from light and turn it into electrical current.
The solar panels are made up of solar cells which, in turn, are made of polycrystalline or monocrystalline silicon. The difference between the two is that monocrystalline panels can create a slightly higher voltage than polycrystalline panels.
You can have one solar panel or a number of solar panels connected in series or parallel. Most panels are between 12 and 16 volts and the higher the voltage, the more efficient the panel becomes and the more panels you can connect in parallel.
The second part of the solar panel is the frame. This is the structure that holds the solar cells together and provides rigidity. You can get both the frame and the solar cells in various configurations, depending on your needs.
What is the most efficient solar panel on the market?
The only thing more surprising about solar panels today than their decreasing cost in the past few years is the remarkable innovation in solar panel efficiency.
In the 1980s, solar panels were less than 0.5% efficient. By 2017, efficiency has increased to over 20%.
What's even more impressive is that this 20% figure isn't even close to the theoretical limit of the technology; the theoretical limit is 89%.
Some of the newer solar panel models are even achieving more than 40% efficiency, while many domestic solar panels are much further along, achieving well over the 20% that's typical for mass-market items.
And recently, we've seen the launch of foldable solar panels that are 50% efficient.
The truth is, as long as sun rays strike a solar panel, those solar panels can keep charging.
Are folding solar panels any good?
Folding solar panels provide many benefits including: the ability to take them camping, hiking, and backpacking. These are the lightest and most compact panels on the market. They can be unfolded during the day and folded up at night to be transported home. Another advantage of folding solar panels is that they come in a variety of sizes and are easy to charge multiple devices.
The disadvantage of folding panels is that they don't develop as much power per panel as their non-folding counterparts. For instance, the Renogy 10 watt folding panel puts out at least 2.5 watts less than a comparable Renogy fixed-size panel.
This brings us to the next question which is: should you choose a fixed-size panel or a folding panel?
What are the best 12v solar panels?
If you find yourself frequently off the "grid", and your job is so remote that your only option for power is a generator, then you might want to consider investing in a solar power solution.
But first, before you break out your wallet, ask yourself the following question:
Do I have access to reliable electricity to charge this solar power solution?
Most 12v solar panels are designed to charge from the sun. Most will not charge from AC outlets. And, because you need to recharge these solar panels to have power during the night, you need to be near a source of electricity to recharge them.
So keep that in mind when deciding if solar power is right for you. If you have a full-time power source like a generator, then you are good to go ahead buy a solar power system. Just be sure to check if the panels are designed for charging from AC outlets.
Conclusion
While foldable solar panels are still not mainstream, they’re an emerging trend that many feel will become mainstream very soon. We’re predicting that once a few years have passed and the technology is more proven, most solar panels will be foldable.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel | Best Overall | |
| MOOLSUN Solar Charger 24W Portable Solar Panel Charger | Budget Pick | |
| Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable 2Pcs 50W Solar Panel Suitcase Built-in Kickstand | Upgrade Pick | |