Camping is a great experience for you and your friends/family, but it does come with a huge problem.
Having no power can be a deal-breaker for many people. The thought of not having electricity for their favorite devices is too much to handle.
The thing is:
People carry a plethora of electrical products with them in today’s world, and without power, they become completely useless.
But now, you don’t have to worry about not getting power to all of your electricals. With the rise of portable solar panels, you can enjoy free energy anywhere you go.
The best thing is, the energy is clean, so you’re not damaging the planet.
Foldable solar panels can harness the sun’s power to create an electrical current. You can use this to charge all your essential devices, no matter where you are in the world.
Many people worry about cloudy days, but you don’t have to; many solar panels can still create electricity even when the sun isn’t visible.
So, the question is, which is the best solar panel for camping?
We tried and tested multiple brands to determine which solar panel performed the best overall.
This article will introduce you to the best 100W foldable solar panel you can use for your next camping trip.
Table of Contents
ALLPOWERS 100 Watt Foldable Suitcase Solar Panel
If you’re looking for the best solar panel for camping, they don’t get much better than ALLPOWERS Polycrystalline foldable solar charger.
Before we get into the features, let’s take a quick look at some of the key specifications of the solar panel:
- Power: 100W
- Vmp: 18V
- Imp: 5.4A
- Voc: 22.4V
- IOC: 6.0A
- Weighs: 7.9lbs
The large unfolded size of the solar panel ensures you get the maximum amount of sunlight at all times. And the adjustable bracket makes it easy to direct the panel in the direction of the sun.
When unfolded, the solar panel is 48” x 25.6” x 0.4”, which is huge.
Luckily the foldable nature means it can pack down to 20” x 25.6” x 1.2”; this makes the solar panel easier to transport. Not only that, but it helps protect the panels from damage when you’re transporting the equipment.
Not only does it pack down to a smaller size, but the foldable solar panel is also a ⅓ lighter than standard solar silicon with a ⅓ more power. Not bad, eh?
What makes this solar panel so special is the high-efficiency conversion rate; what do we mean by this?
It’s how efficient the solar panel is at converting solar energy into electrical energy.
Most solar panels have around a 15% or less conversion rate, but ALLPOWERS solar panels can transform energy at 21% efficiency, which is considerably higher.
They designed the 100W solar panel to be compatible with most portable generators and power stations.
To ensure this, they included multiple adaptors of different sizes; these include:
- 5.5 * 2.1 mm
- 5.5 * 2.5 mm
- 3.5 * 1.35 mm
- Anderson plug
- 7.9/8 mm
This should mean you’ll have no problem finding a compatible portable generator.
Another feature we found very impressive was the ability to connect multiple solar panels in a parallel circuit. This ensures you always get the power you need to charge your laptops, phones, or a mini fridge.
To make things better:
The solar panel is constructed with waterproof nylon, which increases durability and protects it against adverse weather conditions.
Finally, ALLPOWERS foldale solar panel with MC4 connector is certified by the FCC, RoHS, and CE. Giving you protection against short circuits and power surges.
Other Solar Panel Options
Okay, so we’ve walked you through ALLPOWERS’ best solar panel. But for some people, the large size just isn’t practical, which is why we want to give you another 100W portable solar panel option.
When unfolded, this solar panel is slightly larger at 46” x 37”.
You can fold the solar panel down much more efficiently. When folded, it packs down to 12” x 7.5” x 3.5”. Making this solar panel a lot easier to carry around or store away.
This model doesn’t come with a bracket to help it stand up, which can be an issue when trying to line it up with the sun.
To make things even better, it’s about 3lbs lighter.
Even though the solar panel packs down smaller, it still doesn’t compromise power. It can run at 23.5% efficiency.
This gives more than enough power for laptops, mobile phones, and much more. And here’s the best bit, you don’t even need an external battery to charge your devices.
The charge control unit has dual USB ports, an 18V DC output, and solar sense light. It’s also equipped with an intelligent charging chip, so you get:
- Overpower protection
- Surge protection
- Short circuit protection
- ROHS
All of this means the solar panel can charge your equipment faster and safer because it adjusts the current and voltage to your needs.
And just like the previous solar panel, it also comes with plenty of connections, so you rarely have to worry about compatibility. Other than the USB socket, here are some of the connections you get:
- 5.5 x 2.1 mm
- 3.5 x 1.35 mm
- 8 mm
- 2.5 x 5.5 mm
We really liked the eyeholes that can be used to connect to your backpack. Making it even easier to take with you on long hikes and camping trips. And the waterproof nature means you don’t have to panic if it starts to rain.
Which One Should You Choose
When choosing the right foldable solar panel for you, it will come down to personal preference. The above solar panels both generate an excellent amount of power, so you don’t have to worry about that.
In my opinion, you need to think about how you’re going to be using your solar panels. If you’re planning on going away in an RV or driving to a campsite, the ALLPOWERS Polycrystalline Solar Panel would be the ideal.
The bracket makes it easier to direct the solar panel towards the sun, and the larger size won’t be an issue as you won’t be carrying it with you.
That being said, if you plan on taking it hiking with you, it won’t be a great option. Even when the solar panel is folded, it’s still on the larger size.
With this in mind, I’d suggest you go for this 100W portable solar panel; it packs down a lot smaller and is lighter than the other version.
This makes it easier to carry it with you on long hikes without causing any issues.
Other than these factors, there isn’t any difference with the performance.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this has opened up your eyes to the power of solar panels.
Generating power while away on camping trips has always been a difficult task. In a world where we use more electricity than ever, it’s important to have the right solution.
Over the years, the efficiency has increased, and with new green power policies coming into play, it’s only going to get better.
Solar power panels produce clean energy, which is more important today than ever.
Granted, solar power isn’t for everyone, but you don’t really have many options when you’re off the grid.
But, with the solar panels listed above, you can put your faith in solar power and the benefits it holds.
So, what are you waiting for? Jump on the solar train and bring clean energy with you wherever you go!