Pulling into a campground, you anticipate nature, peace, and tranquillity. When you step out of your car, the last thing you want is the constant roar of petrol generators buzzing all around you. It’s 2024—it doesn’t have to be this way anymore!
With solar panels becoming increasingly affordable, they’re now the ideal power solution for camping and off-grid living. There’s a solar panel for every type of camper: portable panels for car campers and backpackers and mountable panels for motorhomes and vans.
The best solar panel for camping depends on your use case.
Find the best solar panels for camping reviewed here, from large panels suited for longer trips and families to small panels for solo travellers or overnight trips.
EcoFlow’s Top Portable Solar Panels for Camping
1. Best for Weekend Trips – 110W Portable Solar Panel
2. Best for Family Camping – 400W Portable Solar Panel
3. Best for Backpacking – 60W Portable Solar Panel
4. Best for Permanent Motorhome Solar Installations – 400W Rigid Solar Panel
5. Best for Maximizing Surface Area – 100W Flexible Solar Panel
1. Best for Weekend Trips – 110W Portable Solar Panel
The EcoFlow 110W Solar Panel is perfect for short camping trips and other outdoor activities. It’s the ideal place to start if you’re unsure about committing to solar energy production.
The 110W solar panel is lightweight and foldable, making it easy to carry around and set up anywhere. The compact size makes it perfect for short camping trips with limited space.
Whether you need to charge your smartphone, tablet, or small appliances, the 110W portable solar panel provides a reliable and compact power source. It’s durable, weather-resistant, and crafted with high-quality materials that withstand harsh weather conditions. It even has an IP68 waterproof rating.
One of the main benefits of the EcoFlow 110W Solar Panel is that it provides clean, renewable energy, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable way to power your devices and appliances. It’s also cost-effective, allowing you to generate electricity for free when connected to a portable power station instead of relying on petrol-powered generators.
Its lightweight and compact design makes this an ideal choice for backpacking and other outdoor adventures, providing adequate power for your personal devices without taking up too much space.
Specifications
- Weight: 8.8 lbs (4.0 kg)
- Unfolded Dimensions: 20.2 x 62.5 x 0.8 in (178.5 x 42.0 x 2.5 cm)
- Folded Dimensions: 20.2 x 16.5 x 0.8 in (42.0 x 48.0 x 2.5 cm)
- Rated Power: 110W (±5W)
Pros
- Ultra-Portable: The 110W panel is one of the lightest panels on the market and folds down compactly.
- Cost: This panel is a great entry point into portable solar panels.
Cons
- Lower Output: The 400W panel, next on our list, is nearly four times more powerful than this 110W model.
2. Best for Family Camping – 400W Portable Solar Panel
The EcoFlow 400W Portable Solar Panel provides 400 watts of clean and sustainable power. It can support a family-sized amount of smartphone charging, laptop use, and most camping appliances. Lights, fans, and portable electric stoves can operate on the electricity provided by one 400W solar panel coupled with an EcoFlow DELTA 2 portable power station.
Even at almost four times the output of the 110W model, this panel is still highly portable. The foldable design packs away into a carry case, doubling as a kickstand. You can adjust the tilt angle of the panel to maximise efficiency by aiming it toward the sun.
The EcoFlow 400W portable solar panel also has an IP68 waterproof rating, so it can withstand any inclement weather you may experience while camping.
In addition to traditional family camping, this panel is an excellent solar power option for car and motorhome trips. And when you’re not in the wilderness, the DELTA 2 and 400W solar panel can provide a reliable backup power source for 90% of home appliances.
Specifications
- Weight (Solar Panel Only): Approx. 35.3 lbs (16.0 kg)
- Weight (with Kickstand Case): Approx. 41.9 lbs (19.0 kg)
- Dimensions: 42.0 x 94.1 x 1.0 in (106.8 x 239.0 x 2.4 cm)
- Rated Power: 400W (±5W)
Pros
- High Output: 400W is among the highest rated power solar panel for consumers.
- Power It All: The high power output of this panel allows you to recharge your portable power station or solar generator in just 3-6 hours. Coupled with the DELTA 2, it can power virtually any camping or motorhome appliance.
Cons
- Pricey: This is the highest-priced solar panel on this list.
3. Best for Backpacking – 60W Portable Solar Panel
The EcoFlow 60W Portable Solar Panel is a compact and lightweight solar panel designed for on-the-go use. It’s ideal for backpackers and campers who need a reliable and easy-to-use renewable energy source that won’t weigh them down.
With a maximum power output of 60W, the solar panel can charge most portable devices such as smartphones, tablets, eReaders, and laptops when coupled with a portable power station like the RIVER 2. It won’t be sufficient to operate large appliances.
The 60W panel is foldable and small enough to fit in a backpack, making it an excellent option for backpacking trips.
The panel’s compact size doesn’t sacrifice its durability, though — its rugged design can withstand harsh outdoor conditions, including dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures.
Like the other portable panels, this model includes a case with a built-in kickstand. It allows you to maximise your sun exposure with easy setup and positioning.
Specifications
- Weight: 4.4 lbs (2.0 kg)
- Unfolded Dimensions: 21 x 32.1 x 1.0 in (53.7 x 81.5 x 2.4 cm)
- Folded Dimensions: 21 x 16.5 x 1.0 in (53.7 x 42 x 2.4 cm)
- Rated Power: 60W (±5W)
Pros
- Ultra-Portable: The 60W panel is the smallest and lightest on the list, making it easy to carry anywhere.
- Affordable Cost: This is the cheapest option on the list.
Cons
- Low Power Output: This panel only supplies enough power to charge small electronics and lights.
4. Best for Permanent Motorhome Solar Installations – 400W Rigid Solar Panel
The EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel provides a mountable design for vans and motorhomes. The panel is exceptionally durable and can withstand even extreme weather. Its sturdy aluminium frame allows easy mounting atop your motorhome or van.
Motorhome full-timers often use petrol or diesel generators, but many campgrounds restrict fossil-fuel generator use because of their disruptive noise and harmful emissions. Rigid solar panels generate clean, quiet, renewable energy, making them eco-friendly and sustainable off-grid power solutions.
If you’re used to using diesel or petrol generators, rigid solar panels can save you on fuel costs over time. You can generate electricity for free instead of relying on expensive fossil fuels. And unlike portable solar panels, a mounted panel will generate electricity even while you’re cruising down the highway.
The EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel is ideal for motorhome camping, as it can provide a reliable power source for all your appliances and devices. A single panel can power mobile devices, laptops, and exhaust fans. Add more panels to the array to power TVs, fridges, and air conditioning units.
Coupled with EcoFlow’s modular Power Kits, you can generate and store up to 15 kWh of electricity.
Specifications
- Weight (Solar Panel Only): 48.1 lbs (21.8 kg)
- Dimensions: 67.8 x 44.6 x 1.38 in (172.2 x 113.4 x 3.5 cm)
- Rated Power: 400W
Pros
- Mountable: The rigid panel affixes permanently to the top of your motorhome or van.
- Durability: The aluminium framing is durable and long-lasting, while the IP68 waterproof rating protects against inclement and extreme weather.
- Efficiency: The rigid solar panel’s monocrystalline cell type offers an industry-leading 23% efficiency rating.
Cons
- Not Portable: Rigid solar panels don’t offer the same lightweight, foldable design as portable solar panels.
5. Best for Maximizing Surface Area – 100W Flexible Solar Panel
The EcoFlow 100W Flexible Solar Panel is a unique, mountable option that doesn’t require mounting hardware. Instead, you only need adhesive to attach the panel to your motorhome, van, or vehicle. The panel also features pre-cut eyelets for temporary hanging.
At only 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg), the ultra-thin panel is 70% lighter than traditional solar panels and can flex up to 258 degrees. It can bend around the curved surfaces of a motorhome. Coupled with rigid solar panels, you can maximise your motorhome’s surface area to capture more of the sun’s rays.
The 100W Flexible Solar Panel is ideal for motorhome camping. It features an IP68 waterproof rating like the other panels on this list, which allows it to weather nature’s worst storms.
A single panel can power camping basics like lights, phones, and speakers. But where the Flexible Solar Panel really shines is when you couple it with rigid and/or portable solar panels to increase the overall output of your array.
Specifications
- Weight: Approx. 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
- Dimensions: 41.5 x 24.1 x 1.0 in (105.5 x 61.2 x 2.5 cm)
- Rated Power: 100W (±5W)
Pros
- Easy Mounting: No mounting hardware required; just apply an appropriate adhesive to attach this panel to your motorhome.
- Lightweight: This flexible panel is almost ten times lighter than the 400W rigid panel.
Cons
- Low Rated Power: Thin-film panels produce less power than many rigid or portable options. They’re typically best suited to augmenting a larger solar array.
What to Consider When Buying a Solar Panel for Camping
Power Output
Rated power is the most crucial consideration when buying a solar panel for camping. You need enough wattage to generate sufficient power for your devices and appliances.
If you’re keeping it simple and only running smartphones and lights, a small panel should work just fine under normal weather conditions. A higher-capacity solar array is advisable if you’re planning extended trips, a family vacation, or using solar power for off-grid motorhome and van applications.
Types of Solar Panels
There are three main types of solar panels: portable, rigid, and flexible. Each offers its own benefits and ideal use cases.
- Portable solar panels are great for car campers and backpackers. No permanent installation is required. Portable solar panels can be set up and put away in just minutes, and they hardly take up any space in your car trunk.
- Rigid solar panels mount on your motorhome, van, or camper. The permanent installation allows you to harness the sun’s energy, even when you’re driving.
- Flexible solar panels are also designed for permanent installation but can also be hung from their eyelets for a more temporary solution. Unlike rigid solar panels, flexible panels can mould to curved and irregular surfaces. Their primary drawback is a lower rated power output when compared with rigid or portable panels.
Pro Tip: Combine rigid and flexible solar panels to maximise the power output of your motorhome solar array. The rigid panels mount easily on top of the vehicle. You can add flexible panels on curved surfaces to maximise your energy production.
Portable Power Station or Solar Power System
Understanding that you can’t plug devices and appliances directly into a solar panel array is crucial. Solar panels capture the sun’s energy but require a balance of system to convert and store it as usable electricity.
For camping trips where portable solar panels are your best option, one of EcoFlow’s RIVER 2 or DELTA portable power stations provides an all-in-one, plug-and-play solar charging solution. The entire balance of system — including the inverter and solar battery — is built into one compact unit. It’s a much more convenient option than a DIY solar generator setup and eliminates possible compatibility issues between your panels and other components.
You can also buy a solar generator package. If you want a portable setup for backpacking or car camping, the RIVER 2 Pro bundle is an excellent choice. It includes a 768Wh capacity portable power station and 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel.
Living the motorhome or van life full-time or on a regular basis? EcoFlow’s modular Power Kits can be customised to meet all your off-grid electricity needs. With battery storage options ranging from 2 kWh to 15 kWh and all other balance of system components built in, the Power Kits are designed to power anything from the smallest van to the biggest motorhome.
All of EcoFlow’s portable power stations and Power Kits come with multiple charging options, so you can also top up using a household AC outlet or campground shore power if necessary.
Size and Weight
Portable solar panels are the most powerful compact option. All models fold down to a thin, compact size that tucks away in an included case.
Rigid solar panels aren’t collapsible, and they’re comparatively heavy. They’re best suited for permanent installations atop a vehicle or home.
Style of Camping
Are you camping for one night out in a tent, or will you be boondocking for weeks in a motorhome? Knowing your preferred camping style will help you determine the type and size of solar panel you need.
Most people who live or camp frequently in a motorhome or van will do well with rigid and/or flexible solar panels that they can mount to the vehicle’s roof. Then you can generate power even when you’re on the move.
Tent campers and backpackers should choose a portable solar panel, which will fit easily in the back of a car — or even a rucksack.
Trip Duration
One night, one month, or one year? If you only make the occasional one-night camping trip, a smaller solar panel and portable power station will serve you well.
Frequent campers or motorhome full-timers will likely want more power output and storage to provide electricity for a wider range of appliances, to power all of life’s essentials, like hot plates, refrigerators, and other high-wattage devices.
FAQs
Solar panels are a sustainable and convenient way to power your camping trip. They are lightweight, portable, and can provide energy in remote off-grid areas. Portable solar panels can power various useful camping devices, such as lights, smartphones, laptops, and small appliances. Rigid solar panels can run pretty much any size motorhome.
The suitable solar panel size for your camping needs depends on your energy consumption and the devices you want to operate or charge. A 100-watt solar panel can supply enough power to charge personal devices and led lights, while a 200-400 watt solar panel will be necessary for powering larger appliances.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to decide which solar panel you need, it’s time to go camping in style! For weekend tent camping trips, you probably just need a portable solar panel and the right size portable power station. For motorhome campers and van lifers, a rigid or flexible solar array is ideal.
EcoFlow is the premier manufacturer of innovative solar solutions and panels, including portable, flexible, and rigid models. Shop today to find the right solar panel setup for your camping needs.
