Portable solar panels are very appealing because they are lightweight, easy to set up, and in theory work very well. The #1 reason people prefer portable solar panels over conventional solar panels is that they don’t have to worry about installing solar panels permanently to a roof, ground mount, or to any other fixture. It is a very daunting task to install solar panels on a house, on an RV, or in an off-grid location.

For this reason, most people prefer to set up solar panels for a solar back-ups power system like a solar generator or power station. But what is the portable solar panel lifespan? Will they be damaged by rain, snow, hail, or hot sunny days? What is the best type of portable solar panel to use? What are the different types of portable solar panels? All of that will be answered here.

Long Lasting Components

What makes conventional solar panels so great is that they last for decades while producing more than 80% of their original output. They are great because they use tempered glass which does not scratch or wears down quickly. They have an aluminum frame that doesn’t rust or degrade easily. The solar cells last a long time because they are able to dissipate heat by having air gaps behind the solar panels and have nothing on the back of the solar panel cells that will retain heat.

Portable solar panels generally do not use tempered glass, or aluminum frames, or have nothing on the back of them. Usually, portable solar panels use a special plastic coating, either PET or ETFE, that goes on top of the solar cells. The cells and plastic coating at laid on top of a plastic backing that is heat resistant. Then that will usually be sewn into some form of fabric case where the solar panel can be folded up, or in some cases rolled up for easy transportation.

There are some portable solar panels that are like traditional solar panels with tempered glass, aluminum frames, and no thick backing that would hold excess heat.

The major difference is how long the components last. Tempered glass and aluminum do not break down easily. But the fabric and clear plastic exposed to the sun can break down much faster.

As an example, look at the road and off-road vehicles. Cars use tempered glass for their windshields and side windows. They use them because when in an accident the glass tends to shatter in place and not cut people as much as other glass. The tempered glass is very scratch resistant and doesn’t discolor over time. However, you can see in many off-road vehicles such as side-by-sides and ATVs that use plastic windows, they break after just a couple of years. That or get so easily scratched that they become difficult to see through over time. They tend to discolor and turn yellow after continual exposure to the sun.

The same applies to solar panels. Glass will last much longer than plastic. The fabric that is used to hold lightweight solar panels in place also breaks down usually within 1 year of constant use. It gets extremely faded, and fragile, and is prone to ripping.

PET vs ETFE

If the portable solar panels are not the conventional style with a tempered glass front and aluminum frame, it’s very important to know which type of plastic is covering the cells. PET and ETFE are the most common plastics that cover solar cells on portable solar panels.

PET is a very common clear plastic used for a variety of applications. Including water bottles, food containers, household cleaner bottles, and much more. The plastic has flexibility, is wear-resistant, and is non-toxic. It can be easily molded and used in a variety of ways which is why it is so common. But the items that use PET generally are not designed to be left in the sun for a long time. Otherwise, they begin to turn a yellow color and become brittle over time.

The same applies to portable solar panels that are coated with PET plastic on top of the solar cells. Since solar panels are designed to be used outside in the heat and sun for long periods of time, they break down very fast. Generally, in less than 1 year PET can become completely brittle, discolored, and unusable. The big advantage of using PET on solar panels is that it is extremely affordable. Hence, affordable portable solar panels will oftentimes be covered with PET. They are only designed to be used on an “as needed” basis. Only for a few days at a time when camping, when there’s a power outage, or for charging small batteries. When used for long periods of time, they will become useless after one year.

ETFE on the other hand has all the same good aspects of PET but it doesn’t break down nearly as fast. ETFE is still very flexible, mouldable, and transparent, but can easily last up to 5 years before seeing any discoloring. Technically it’s able to last about 20 years before major discoloring is visible. It doesn’t break down easily in the sun which is why any portable solar panel that doesn’t have tempered glass, should have ETFE.

There are two major downfalls to ETFE though. When folding on the same spot many times it will eventually begin to separate or delaminate from the solar cells. This is a major problem since the higher-quality portable solar panels will use ETFE. But since they’re portable and usually fold in half or in an accordion style, the ETFE eventually splits away from the cells and can cause a total failure of the solar panel if water gets in the opening.

The second issue is that it doesn’t fold and move easily when it’s cold. The ETFE coating needs to ideally be above 75 degrees Fahrenheit in order to unfold and be used easily. That generally is not a problem if the solar panel is already set out since the sun tends to warm up the solar panels quite a bit. But it is a major problem if it’s used in a cold environment because then the solar panels won’t even stay open by themselves to get warmed up by the sun and become pliable. It will be required to use something to hold the solar panel open until it is warm enough to hold itself in place. This is the biggest problem if someone is by themselves trying to open a large folding solar panel and place a rock or stake in one corner to hold it in place. It’s quite the balancing act.

There are 3 main types of portable solar panels.

1. Rigid frame portable solar panels are typically two 50w or 100w solar panels hinged together to make a portable solar panel. It’s just two normal panels put together but is more portable because it’s easier to move two at once since they have a carry handle on them. The upside to using this kind of portable solar panel is that it is long-lasting, very durable against poor weather, components don’t degrade, and tend to be more affordable than lightweight portable solar panels. The downside is that they weigh 4x more than flexible or blanket solar panels and do not stack easily in trunk space.
2. Flexible solar panels have two different kinds of solar panels within their own category. One is a very flexible solar panel that can be rolled up and unrolled easily. They are designed to be flexible and roll up for easy portability. The other kind is flexible only because they do not have a rigid aluminum frame around them. The plastic backing piece behind the cells gives all of the rigidity to the solar panel and cells. The first type of flexible solar panel will not damage the cells by being handled roughly. The second type of flexible solar panel is very prone to having the solar cells crack. Once a cell is cracked, it is permanently damaged. It will still capture solar power and work but at a diminished rate. Both types of flexible solar panels cost more than rigid frame panels because there is a lot more work that goes into manufacturing them.
3. Blanket solar panels are the most expensive but by far have the biggest cool factor. They are similar to flexible solar panels in the sense that they can be folded, rolled, and abused without getting damage to the cells. But that also means that they have nothing on the back of them to give them rigidity. The secret to getting the best solar output per cell is to have an evenly flat surface that is 90 degrees from the sun. Since blanket solar panels tend to be very flimsy and foldable, it is hard to get a high watt-per-cell output. But they have the unique ability to sustain great damage and continue to work without any issues. Even to the point of being shot with bullets. These are sometimes used in the military where an enemy may try to destroy power production by shooting their solar panels. With other solar panels, even one bullet going through them would render them useless. But with blanket solar panels they can take dozens of shots and still work well. Blanket solar panels will often times cost 10x as much as a rigid frame panel.

Learn more about flexible vs rigid frame solar panels.

Conclusion, Portable Solar Panels Have Advantages

Portable solar panels have their place and advantages. But generally, they will break down, cost more, and produce less power per cell than rigid-framed traditional solar panels. It is obviously much easier for someone to get into solar if the solar panels cost less. In this case, paying more for flexible panels doesn’t mean it’s a higher quality or longer lasting. In truth, using flexible portable solar panels will cost more upfront and cost much more in the long run as solar panels need to be replaced over time if they are in constant use.

The best way to use a portable solar panel is only when necessary. Contact Powered Portable Solar today to get started.

There are many factors that should be considered before purchasing a portable solar panel. Those factors include but are not limited to: what location are the portable solar panels going to be placed? How long of a solar cable is needed? What time of year will the portable solar be used the most? Will it be year-round permanent use? Do they need to be portable or can they be traditional frames? How many portable solar panels are needed? And so on.

Major Factors to Consider

The most common factor to consider before buying portable solar panels is what is the main goal of the solar panel. Is it to recharge a car battery? To keep an RV battery topped off during the winter? Recharge a backup solar generator system for a house? There are countless reasons to get a portable solar panel.

The reason the overall goal needs to be established first is that it will often answer many of the questions and factors that need to be considered before buying solar panels. For example, if the overall goal is to have a way to recharge a car battery remotely in case the battery dies, then only one 100w or 200w foldable solar panel is necessary to recharge that battery. But if the main goal is to recharge a solar generator that is running 2 fridges, 2 freezers, lights, fans, wifi, TV, chargers, and a CPAP machine, then the solar generator will need 10 or more portable panels.

By answering that it’s easy to know how many are needed, where they will be used, and how often they’ll be used. Either one, or ten, or however many. In the case of linking many together, it is important to find out how many portable solar panels can be connected together directly to each other and how many need to be broken into different groups. This is important because all solar panels have to use a solar charge controller in order to convert the solar power they make from the sun into usable energy for a battery.

If ten solar panels are necessary for a solar generator then likely they will need to be split into two groups of five panels using a 2 to 1 PV (photo-voltaic) connector. This allows the voltage that the solar panels make to stay within a safe range for the solar charge controller.

Minor Factors to Consider

Often times a 200w folding solar panel is a better option than a 100w folding solar panel. And just as likely, a 400w folding solar panel may be a better option than a 200w folding solar panel. But in the end, four 100w foldable solar panels will produce the same amount of portable solar power as a single 400w portable solar panel. It then comes down to personal preference, body strength, and available storage space in the vehicle on which a portable solar panel is chosen.

Many people prefer to have a single 400w portable folding solar panel because they can move 400 watts worth of power at once. Especially if they have to walk 100 feet or any long distance to where the solar panels need to be, they don’t want to take that trip multiple times if they don’t have to. But others, may not physically be able to carry the 40lb 400w folding solar panel 100ft easily and therefore want two 200w portable solar panels. It simply comes down to personal choice.

The only thing to consider when choosing the wattage of the solar panel is how many volts and amps each solar panel produces. Volts x Amps = Watts. Four 100w portable solar panels will make 400w but it may do it by being at 80 volts and 5 amps. Whereas a single 400w solar panel may make 400w of power by using 28 volts and 14.28 amps. The voltage and amperage combinations never end.

The reason this needs to be considered is that all solar charge controllers have a voltage and amperage range that they work in. Many of them will work from 11-150v and up to 15a. But others will only work from 30-90v and 10a. This means if you have one 200w solar panel that only makes 20v, it won’t work with a 30v-90v solar charge controller because it’s not making enough voltage. On the other side, if four 400w portable solar panels are connected together and are making 160v, that will exceed the 150v range of the 11-150v solar charge controller and will either cause it to shut down, or possibly catch on fire. Both are bad, but the fire is much worse.

It’s not that big of a deal which portable solar panel is chosen, it’s just important to be aware of the volts and amps that the solar panels will make and what the voltage and amperage charge parameters are on the solar charge controller.

Is It Necessary?

Sometimes, it’s simply best to ask “is it necessary?” Does it have to be portable? Could the same task be accomplished by using traditional framed 100w or 200w solar panels? Framed solar panels get a bad reputation for not being portable. But a single 100w solar panel only weighs about 13lbs, is not very large, but is very affordable and easy to stow away. Traditional frame solar panels are designed to last over 20 years of non-stop use in the sun and still be 80% or more usable after 20 years. Portable solar panels are often only intended for up to 5 years of constant use which means they’ll need to be replaced more often.

Conclusion

Portable solar panels from Powered Portable Solar cans serve in many ways. They can fit most of the same needs as traditional frame solar panels but are often easier to move around and set up. They may cost a bit more than framed solar panels but it’s hard to put a price on convenience. If you need portable solar panels that you’ll be moving from location to location then portable solar panels will work better than framed solar panels in many cases.

Portable solar panels serve many uses and there are plenty of advantages to them over traditional solar panels. Whether portable power is needed tailgating, at an off-grid cabin, jump-starting a car, keeping RV batteries topped off, or when there are blackouts at home and need to recharge a solar generator or power station. 

Where & When to Use Portable Solar Panels

Recreation Vehicle

Portable panels can be used nearly anywhere. The #1 most common application for them is with a solar generator or RV. Many times the RV is powered by a portable solar generator or power station and needs to be recharged remotely. Boondocking with RVs has become very popular in the last couple of years and people do not like to pay $30 to $100+ per night to stay at RV parks. 

Most people will opt to stay on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land where they can stay for free for up to two weeks. Often times campgrounds, national forest land, and even Wal-Marts are also used for boondocking. There is generally no access to fresh water which is the only downside. But that doesn’t mean they can’t go get water at any time from an RV station or gas station that has RV services. 

This can help people save thousands of dollars when traveling with their RV. By having the portable solar panels it gives them the option to place the panels directly out front of their doorstep, or if the RV is parked in the shade due to the heat, they can easily run a solar cable to the portable solar panels farther away. The solar panels can be in the sun even 100ft away and they can be recharging their batteries and know they have all of the power they need. 

As well during the winter when the RV is not being used, people will use a portable solar panel that can connect to their battery to keep it topped off all winter so the battery stays in good condition. This eliminates the issue of the battery draining itself, disinforming the cells inside, and needing to be replaced the next spring.

Solar Generator

Portable solar panels are often used with solar generators or power stations. Think of a solar generator like a gas generator in the sense that it provides portable power wherever it’s needed. It can do the same work as a gas generator but without all of the noise, oil changes, fumes, and maintenance. They are not actually “generators” but the term solar generator helps people understand their purpose and use. 

A solar generator can also be called a power station. Either way, they are effectively a combination of a battery, solar charger, and an inverter. This allows photons/light from the sun to be converted to battery power, then the battery power can be converted to run outlets to run appliances and devices. Solar generators are commonly used with RVs but also for emergency backup power for houses. 

Off-grid cabins use solar generators and even Vanlife vehicles use them for easy power. The main advantage of a solar generator is all of the wiring, programming, and installation is done. People don’t have to earn a DIY electrical degree to put it together and then wonder if it’s going to catch on fire because they didn’t understand how to put it together properly.

But since they do not use gasoline, they need solar panels to recharge the battery in order to continue running their appliances. Portable solar panels are the easiest option because they do not need to be professionally installed on the roof of a house, RV, or ground mounted by a solar team. Portable solar panels typically fold open, use a kick-stand leg to sit upright facing the sun, and then connect directly to the solar generator. Then as soon as the power outage, camping trip, or off-grid job is done, it can all be packed up easily and put away until it’s needed next.

Jump Starting Cars

Besides being able to keep RV batteries topped off and recharge solar generators, many portable solar panels are capable of jump-starting cars. Or at least recharging the car battery to the point it can start again.

It is not too uncommon for portable solar panels to have a solar charge controller built onto the back of them. A solar charge controller simply is a tiny computer that converts solar energy to usable energy. Most commonly they are used to recharge batteries. That includes car batteries. 

A portable solar panel with a jump start connector is a huge benefit to have when over-landing, off-grid, or camping remotely. For example, if you go on a 3-day camping trip but accidentally left the dome light on in your car, or the headlights on, the battery will be dead by the time you get back. If no one is around and there is no place to jump the car then the solar panel can recharge the battery to starting power level in just a couple of hours. It may not be an instant jump-start option, but it is an emergency backup option that is simple and easy. 

By laying the solar panel on the hood or roof of the vehicle, and connecting the alligator clamp cables to the battery, the sunlight will hit the solar panel and transfer solar power into the battery and help it start again. 

Portable Solar Panel Advantages

The number one advantage of a portable solar panel over a traditional frame solar panel is obviously the option of mobility. It can be easily stored, opened, and used nearly anywhere. As long as it’s in the sunlight, it’s going to produce energy. 

Portable solar panels are the most common compact, light enough to move by hand, and even come with a plethora of connector types to connect to various appliances, chargers, and devices. With some portable solar panels, it’s possible to recharge cell phones directly from them. Or many will come with alligator clips for charging batteries directly. And many of them can be connected together to make a large solar array for maximum power for solar generators and off-grid sites.

They come at a bit of a higher price than normal solar panels, but the price is often worth it. The ability to pack it into a car, RV, or truck space easily is a major option. The biggest bonus is that they typically have a leg or stand built into them so they can be propped up and aimed at the sun to produce more energy. It is not uncommon to get 50% more power production out of a solar panel that is properly propped up towards the sun, versus a solar panel laying flat on the ground. The more perpendicular the solar panel is to the sun, the better it will perform.

Another major benefit is that the solar panels stand on portable solar panels will keep your grass from dying. When portable solar panels are in the sun, they get very warm. Oftentimes, hot. If they are laying flat on the grass, then the grass will get burned and die. It can take months before new grass comes in or new grass seeds may have to be planted. 

Conclusion – Portable Solar Panels for Efficient, Renewable Solar Energy

For versatility, portable solar panels can be used in many ways. Powered Portable Solar tests solar panels regularly to find the highest quality and most powerful solar panels so everyone else doesn’t have to spend thousands of dollars finding out on their own. 

If you need to run an RV, power a backup solar generator, recharge batteries off-grid, or simply need portable power, then portable solar panels may be one of the best options.

One of the most common questions people ask when they start looking into solar is; what are solar panels, and how do they work? Solar panels seem like a magical sheet of dark-colored material that transforms light into energy. In reality, that’s not far from the truth.

In short, portable solar panels work by absorbing photons from the sun’s light, which displace electrons in the cells, and those electrons run along thin metal lines that go to a device called a solar charge controller which converts those electrons into storable energy in a battery. 

What Are Portable Solar Panels?

Portable panels are most often used with solar generators or power stations. They are not designed to be used for 20+ years constantly and are mounted on rooftops or ground mounts similar to what most people see with houses that have solar installed. They often have a protective case, stand legs on the back, and usually don’t have the ability to connect a lot of them together for maximum power. They are meant to give a bit of power in remote sites where grid power is not available. 

Portable solar panels come in varying wattages and sizes. They can vary quite a bit from the materials used, all the way to the wattage they produce. For example, there are portable solar panels that have hinges and handles built onto them but are essentially two small aluminum-framed typical solar panels. Two 100w solar panels that would normally be mounted on the roof of an RV or Van for solar power are hinged together. This makes a briefcase-style configuration that allows two solar panels to be combined together for easy portability. 

Another form of portable solar panel is essentially a solar panel without an aluminum frame and tempered glass front. The cells adhere to a special backing material that is usually a high-grade, rigid, UV-protected plastic of one sort or another. The polycrystalline or monocrystalline cells are permanently mounted to the plastic backing. Then a special ETFE plastic coating that is 100% transparent goes on top of the cells to protect them from water and damage. Then the entire solar panel will often have a padded carry case with a handle on it which makes it easy to move around and take places. 

Both types of these portable solar panels can be found at Powered Portable Solar. If you need help finding out which solar panel will work best for your situation you can always reach out to Powered Portable Solar’s contact page and get those questions answered. 

Portable solar panels are not always necessarily the best option for portable power. They may be more convenient because they are often times smaller than traditional framed solar panels, but they may not weigh less. For example, a 200w Briefcase solar panel on average weighs 35 lbs, but the typical Rigid 200 solar panel only weighs 24lbs. 11 lbs makes a big difference when you have to move five to ten of them for a camping trip. The only major advantage the portable solar panel would give in this case is that it has built-in legs to stand the solar panels up so they get better power production from the sun.

Another thing to consider is the price. Portable solar panels cost much more than framed solar panels simply due to the manufacturing process. There are a lot more processes that have to happen in order to make a portable solar panel. The plastic backing production, lamination with cells, lamination of the ETFE layer for protection, sewing or attaching the protective case, installing the stand system, and so on. 

With a traditional frame solar panel, a similar but thinner plastic backing is glued to the back of the cells, a sheet of tempered glass is laid over the cells, then an aluminum frame is formed around the glass and cells, and it’s done. It’s common to see portable solar panels cost around twice as much as a traditional frame. 

So the real question is, why do you need a portable solar panel system? Is it to save on weight? Is it to have a smaller size? Is it to have a stand built into it? As far as all of those questions go, portable solar panels usually weigh about the same or more. They can be more compact especially if they are folding, blanket, or briefcase style. And they usually have a stand built into them so they’re easy to set up. 

They cost twice as much and weigh more generally. So if those two reasons offset the other reasons then they’re a good investment. If there’s a way to have an affordable and easy-to-use stand for the traditional frame solar panel such as the Rigid 200 solar panel from Powered Portable Solar, then that is usually the best option. Because then you can get twice as much solar power for the same price, you can use a stand to put the solar panels upright, and as long as you have the space for the solar panel since it doesn’t fold down, then it’s a great option.

The answer to the question are portable solar panels worth investing in depends on the situation the solar panels need to be used in. 

How Do Solar Panels Work?

There are two types of solar cells. The first type is polycrystalline which is an older style, blue in color, and is most often used in houses where there is lots of space. The second type is monocrystalline which is usually dark blue or black in color, and is often used on houses as well but portable solar panels are almost always this type. Monocrystalline cells can produce much more energy per square inch than polycrystalline which is why they’re ideal for portable solar panels. 

Silicon, which is what sand is largely made of, is the main element used in making solar cells. It is basically melted and purified where it becomes a blue brittle flaky substance. Very similarly to how OSB sheets of plywood are formed, the silicon flakes are pressed and melted together to make the solar cell. They get the name polycrystalline because “poly” means many, and crystalline, meaning crystals, comes together to mean “many crystals.” That is why when you look at a polycrystalline cell you can see very different flakes together that are not uniform. 

Monocrystalline solar cells are quite different. The silicon is heated and melted into a tight cylinder shape and extruded out of the press. Then, like cutting slices of bread, slices of the cell are cut off of the cylinder which gives a solar cell. Square shapes fit better together than circle shapes so the circled cell is then typically cut to make a square shape. Monocrystalline cells come from a single piece which is why they are called monocrystalline. “Mono” means once, and “crystalline,” meaning crystals, means it’s one crystal. 

Other elements are used in the manufacturing process. These different layers of elements have essentially what looks like a cellular structure of a chain link fence. At every junction, there is either a spot filled with a molecule or an open space. As photons from the sun hit the different layers of the cells, they will hit electrons that are at the junctions and cause them to jump to an open spot. There are thin metal lines that cover solar panels every few millimeters. As the photons push the electrons around, the electrons eventually hit one of the thin metal lines which then directs them to go to the wire on the back of the solar panel. This is constantly happening at the speed of light. 

By cables connected to the back of the solar panel that goes to a solar charge controller, the electrons will enter the charge controller and be converted from whatever voltage the solar panel is giving off and change to whatever voltage the battery uses. That is how the battery gets refilled full of usable electrons. Then an inverter is connected to the battery which converts battery voltage to wall outlet voltage so you can run a fridge, drill, lights, fans, or whatever needs to be run. Portable solar panels by themselves are not the full equation of getting power from the sun. That energy has to be captured by the sun, converted to battery power, then the battery power is converted to usable outlet power. Similar to filtering water from a river, the water has to go through a process to be safe to drink. In the same way, the electricity from the sun has to be adapted to be safe to use to run appliances. 

Conclusion

Portable solar panels are a great option, but they come at a cost. As long as you’re aware of it upfront then you can make an informed decision on what you’d like to do for your scenario or situation. Be sure to reach out to Powered Portable Solar staff because there are many new innovations that can make life much easier and more affordable when doing these projects.

Solar panels use photons to charge electrons which are converted to usable, portable solar power. Simple, right? Probably not, but hopefully you have a better understanding of the process and how it all works.

There are many reasons why someone would want to buy portable solar panels. There are also some reasons why someone may not want to get a portable solar system.

The Top 3 Reasons To Buy Portable Solar Panels Are:

1. One, they are easy to set up.
2. Two, they pair very well with portable solar generators.
3. Three, they are versatile.

The Top 3 Reasons Why Not To Buy Portable Solar Panels Are:

1. One, they cost more than non-portable solar panels.
2. Two, they have a shorter lifespan when compared to traditional solar panels.
3. Three, they sometimes don’t work well in hot or cold climates.

Reasons To Get Portable Solar Panels

Portable solar panels come in varying sizes. Anywhere from 50w up to 400w with everything in between. The Powered Portable Solar website offers multiple options, such as a 200w folding briefcase portable solar panel, a 220w foldable solar pane, and a 400w heavy-duty folding solar panel.

The main advantage of the 200w folding briefcase panels is that they are essentially two Rigid 100w solar panels put together but include legs, a carry handle, and clasps to hold them together in one piece. Weighing around 35 lbs, it’s still reasonably easy to move around, sets up quickly, and works the same as having two high-quality Rigid 100w solar panels.

The 220w and 400w portable folding solar panels are also great options but are more like flexible solar panels than the rigid frame. These two solar panels do not have the classic aluminum frame and tempered glass front. Instead, they have a special ETFE coating on the solar panel cells to ensure they are not damaged and will last a long time. And there are no legs built into the frame of the folding solar panels because there is no frame. Instead, it utilizes its protective carrying case and carabiners to hold the solar panels upright at an angle to produce the most energy possible.

Because they fold up on themselves, have built-in stands, and are a manageable weight to move around, many people prefer them to traditional solar panels. This makes them very easy to set up and take down whenever necessary.

Since solar panels are very portable, they work very well with portable solar generators and power stations. For example, the Delta Pro solar generator is a heavy-duty solar generator with a built-in telescoping handle and roller wheels so it can be taken places. Many people use their RV, off-grid cabins, camping, or to back up their household essentials for blackouts.

People often do not want to have their solar panels outside because they do not need the extra energy all of the time. That is why portable solar panels are very handy with portable solar generators because they can be used when needed. If you’re out RVing and you have a solar generator to power everything, once you get to the destination, you can easily set up the RV solar panels in a few minutes and recharge the solar panel system daily via a solar charge controller. (Learn more about how much solar power is needed for an AV and what you can expect from portable solar panel kids.)

Because they are portable, they allow you to use them in many different situations. This means that your cost of getting them serves multiple purposes. Most people who buy solar put solar panels on their roofs and never get to use that power in any other way other than reducing their monthly electricity bill. Even with household solar panels installed, when the grid power goes out, those people still don’t have any power either because those solar panels only provide the ability to reduce their power bill and do nothing for them when the grid is down.

Having the best portable solar panels paired with a portable solar generator means that no matter where you need extra power, you can have it there.

Reasons To Avoid Portable Solar Panels

Portable solar panels are not necessarily the absolute best choice, though. There are some drawbacks. The main one is that they can cost up to twice as much as a traditional solar panel.

For example, the Rigid 200 solar panel from Powered Portable Solar typically costs around $310 each. To have two of them for 400w of power is $620. The EcoFlow 400w folding solar panels are generally $1,199. Essentially, it’s twice the price, all for the convenience of being foldable and having a case that can be turned into a stand. The real question is, for $600 could you make or find a stand that works for the Rigid 200w solar panels to get the same outcome? The answer is yes. Most people lean their solar panels against their house, fence, or outdoor table or even get specific stands that are affordable and easy to use. Portable solar panels conveniently come at a high price.

Portable solar panels oftentimes have a shorter lifespan as well. In particular, the ones that do not have the aluminum frame and tempered glass front do not last as long. The ETFE coating on them is designed to last in direct sunlight for about 20 years, which is excellent. But it’s not meant to fold and unfold all of the time without cracking, peeling, or bubbling.

Because ETFE is a special UV-protected plastic, it works well staying in the sun. But it’s not meant to be moved over and over again, and it will eventually begin to de-laminate from the surface of the solar cells. This can lead to water intrusion onto the cells, dirt getting inside, causing less solar output, and it shouldn’t happen at the price tag it has.

The material the cells are placed on also does not perform well unless it’s very warm. If it’s cold, the plastic will be rigid and unyielding. That makes it impossible to open the solar panel to make power, defeating the whole purpose. Whereas the traditional rigid frame solar panels like the Rigid 200 perform at their best because it has no moving parts to wear out.

Suppose it’s a very hot summer day when using the folding solar panels. In that case, the plastic backing may be too warm and not support the solar cells, which will cause the different faces of the portable solar panel to be at different angles to the sun. This causes significant inefficiencies because for the solar panel cells to make the most power, they must all work together facing the same way the sun.

With the prices of portable solar panels being very high per watt, the material breaking down reasonably quickly, and the materials not working correctly in different climates, it may not be the best idea to go with portable solar panels.

Final Thoughts

Portable solar systems serve a purpose and do well in the right conditions. If you need 4,000w of portable solar power to back up all of the devices and appliances in your house, then setting up 20 foldable solar panels may be difficult. Sometimes, it’s much more accessible not to have folding solar panels and lean rigid frame solar panels against a wall or fence or even put them in the driveway where they can get total sun exposure.

If you’re looking at getting portable panels for their ability to stand upright on their own, but would prefer to save 50% of the cost by getting traditional framed solar panels, then you’re in luck. At Powered Portable Solar, we are constantly working on innovating the newest technology and helping people with equipment that is high quality and fulfills its purpose.

If it’s not released already, we will soon have our unique portable stand system that will work with any solar panel. This means you can afford a rigid frame solar panel that lasts 10x longer than most portable solar panels and is easy to set up. And the best part is the unique stand system costs less per panel than making your DIY solar panel stand.

If you have more questions about the stand, portable solar panels, traditional solar panels, or solar generators/portable power stations, please get in touch with Powered Portable Solar. You’ll find all the help you need and significant savings.