Best Portable Solar Panels for Home

With how much we rely on electricity every day, it can be quite jarring when we suddenly lose access to it. This can happen because of power station faults, natural disasters, or anything in between.

Solar panels provide a great fallback for these kinds of outages, and they can ensure that you can be more self-reliant when it comes to providing power to your home. But with so many options, which is the best for you and what features should you prioritize?

If you’re asking these questions, then you’re in the right place, as we will go over some of the features you should look out for while also showing you some of our top picks for the best solar panels you can get for your home.

Key Takeaways

• Portable solar panels designed for home use are portable, easy-to-set-up panels that can harness the power of the sun to power devices and charge batteries.
• Portable panels can be used to make you less reliant on traditional power methods.
• If you want to be more off the grid, then solar power panels can help to make you a lot more self-sufficient.
• The location you live in can be a huge factor as to whether a solar panel will be a good fit for you, as some locations don’t get enough sunlight.
• You should also consider power output, charging capabilities, and compatibility of different accessories among other facets before choosing your solar panels.
• We will present a selection of different panels from various companies and highlight their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which is best for you.
• We made our choices based on various features such as brand quality, durability, power output, and ease of use.

What Are Portable Solar Panels For Home Use?

Solar panels come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Some are massive, intended more for large properties and businesses. These can be huge and expensive, however, making them impractical for average people.

Luckily, there are many smaller options for smaller portable solar panels. While these may be better suited to smaller groups of people or properties, they can provide an excellent solution for emergency or backup power.

These portable solar panels will generally be fairly small and easy to transport. Their power output is usually fairly modest, but you can still find many different uses for these handy devices.

Benefits Of Using Portable Solar Panels For The Home

• To Offset Current Conventional Power SuppliesMany of us rely on traditional power stations to supply our electricity, and that takes reliability completely out of our hands. Having your own solar panels gives you more control over power reliability.
• Seasonal Power GenerationPower generation can get less reliable depending on the time of year. Depending on the area, Winter can put a huge strain on power suppliers, meaning that outages can be more frequent.If this is the case in your area, then solar panels could give you a great backup if this is the case.
• Off-Grid Home Energy OptionsSome people like to be as off-grid as possible, as it means they are less beholden to governments and traditional power supplies. It can be great to have a higher degree of control over your life, and solar panels can be a great way to get started with this self-reliance.

Important Things To Consider When Choosing Solar Panels For Home

• GEO LocationThe location that you live in can make a big difference when it comes to solar power. This could include aspects like how close you are to the equator and the general cloud cover of your location.
• Sunny Days Per Month/YearTaking our previous point further, you should consider how many primarily sunny days your area experiences each month and year. Some areas have sunny days all year round, while others only experience sunny days in certain months.If you live in an area with infrequent sunny days, then a solar panel may not be the best solution for you.
• Power Storage CapabilitiesSome solar panels will come with rechargeable batteries that you can attach and charge when needed. Others will not, so it’s important to consider whether you will need to buy one.While solar panels can power and charge devices directly, they are most practical when paired with a large rechargeable battery.
• Power OutputPower output is perhaps the most vital specification to consider. If you have a really low power output paired with less than constant sunlight, then you may find that the solar panel will have limited use.Panels with high power outputs become much more practical, as charging and powering become much more viable.
• PortabilityHow important portability is to you will depend on your setup and situation. You may be fine with having a larger panel that can be permanently affixed, but portability can come in handy for people who like to travel or who need to move the panels around for optimum sunlight cover.
• DurabilityA solar panel is a big purchase, as they generally aren’t that cheap. For that reason, you would hope that the panel would be durable, especially in rainy weather. It would be unfortunate to have to keep replacing damaged panels.
• Ease Of UseHaving lots of features and benefits is always great, but these can sometimes result in a device being too much of a hassle to use. Ideally, with a solar panel, it should be easy and quick to set up and use without spending hours poring over complicated instruction manuals.
• PriceWhenever choosing any kind of technology, price is always something to consider. Everyone has some kind of budget to work from, and it’s important to find something that works for that budget.The phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ also comes into play, so the ideal situation is to find something affordable yet still high quality.

How We Made Our Picks For Solar Panels For Home Use

When choosing the products in the list you’re about to read, we considered various aspects. For starters, we chose products from brands that we generally trust and that produce good products in general.

We also considered the features and benefits of each panel, while also trying to provide a wide range of panels that will suit different needs and budgets.

Each solar panel will have its own section where we look at it in more detail, so you can judge each one based on your own situation and needs.

Best Portable Solar Panels For Home

Practical Preppers “Best Total Home Solar Kit”

The first solar panel set we have to look at is the Practical Preppers 12+KW DIY Solar Kit. This is a fairly high-end home solution for people who want a complete solar setup for their homes.

About The Brand

As the name suggests, Practical Preppers specializes in prepper products designed to make you as self-sufficient as possible. They have many products in this regard, and the family-owned nature of the company allows them to put a more personal touch to their customer service.

Key Features And Benefits

This set is a complete power solution that gives you everything you need for self-sufficiency. Included in the set is a 12K outdoor case inverter, solar panels totaling 12+ Kw, three 46v 100ah batteries, and various other smaller implements to get you set up.

This is a set suitable for people who want to rely entirely on solar power, and in the right conditions, you would have more than enough power reserves for a larger home or family.

Pros And Cons

This is a great solution for people who not only want a backup power supply but who want to rely entirely on this setup. Practical Preppers also have a very hands-on approach, and you can have a consultation with them to see if this setup is right for you. They will also be there to guide you through the installation process if needed.

The setup may not be ideal for people for smaller properties, as the large solar panels take up a lot of space with the various other components also needing a lot of space. At around $28 200, it’s also quite a financial commitment. We do think it’s worth it for what you get, but this may be too much for people looking for a more backup solution.

BioLite “Best Compact Solar Panels for Home”

The next solar panel setup we have is almost the opposite concept to the previous one, showing a much smaller-scale backup power source. This is the BioLite SolarHome 620 kit, and it provides a smaller and more affordable option.

About The Brand

BioLite is a brand focused on solar power products that cater to different needs such as lighting, cooking, heating, and more. They provide products for many customers in the US as well as work to provide sustainable energy products for regions in Africa.

This expertise in this field has led to products that are designed with efficiency and usefulness in mind.

Key Features And Benefits

With this set, you will receive a small solar panel, a central hub, 2 hanging lights, a motion sensor light, and built-in radio. The battery can be charged with about 6 hours of direct sunlight, and it provides between 4- 14 hours of light depending on the settings.

You can also play the built-in radio and charge your phone once on a single charge.

Pros And Cons

This is a great compact solution, and it would be well-suited as an emergency backup for power outages or for camping trips. The price of $199 is also quite reasonable considering everything you’re getting.

However, it is a more limited product that is not suited to power a whole household or any larger devices, so it shouldn’t be considered a total energy solution.

Goal Zero “Best Durable Solar Panels”

Next up, we have the Goal Zero Boulder 200 Solar Panel. This is a simple yet highly effective solar panel that can be useful in many different circumstances. Let’s take a look at what it has to offer!

About The Brand

Goal Zero has a mission statement of making environmentally friendly products that can help people have the power they need without further destruction of natural resources. This focus on products such as these solar panels insures that they have the expertise needed to create quality products that will allow you to harness the power of nature to better your own life.

Key Features And Benefits

With this product, you will receive 2 100W solar panels, and these come with carrying cases and a kickstand that you can use to achieve maximum sunlight coverage. The panels are made of tempered glass with an aluminum frame, so they are highly durable and resistant.

With these panels, you could power and charge smaller devices or charge a larger battery or inverter for some backup energy reserves.

Pros And Cons

This set of panels is pretty simple yet effective. You have some pretty decent power output combined with high durability and portability. The versatility would make it perfect for home use or a camping trip.

There aren’t too many downsides to this set of panels. You will have to provide your own battery or inverter, however, so that extra cost is well worth noting. The next product we show off will solve this issue, as it is a Goal Zero panel kit that comes with a rechargeable battery.

Goal Zero “Best Home Solar Kit”

Next up, we have another product from Goal Zero that serves as an extension of the previous one. This time, we have the Goal Zero Yeti 3000X 120v Solar kit. This product serves as a great upgrade and a more complete power solution than the previous one.

Key Features And Benefits

This set includes the same solar panel that we looked at previously, so you have the same power output, solid build, and durability that one had. Paired with the panel is the Yeti 3000X. This high-capacity battery has a pack capacity of 3032 Wh, and it will be able to charge smaller devices many times and even power larger devices like televisions and fridges.

Using the included solar panel, you can expect it to take between 30-60 hours to charge. This is a long time, but once charged you won’t need to charge it for a long while.

Pros And Cons

The solar panel in this set has the same benefits we listed previously, but the drawback we noted has been solved with the addition of the Yeti battery in this set. This powerful battery means you will have backup power for even the longest outages, and you can top it up with the included solar panel.

It does take a long time to charge with the panel, so it may be better suited to backup power rather than a power replacement solution.

Eufy “Best Solar for Home Security”

The EufyCam Solar Panel 4-pack is our next product, showcasing a more specific use-set for people who own Eufy security cameras.

About The Brand

Eufy is a top name in home security camera solutions. They have many products designed to keep your home safer, and therefore cameras and surveillance equipment would have to be their specialties.

They do have solar options for many of their products, which is what we will look at now.

Key Features And Benefits

These 4 cameras each provide 2.6W of power, which can keep your cameras charged with just a few hours of sunlight. They’re easy to set up and install, and they’re waterproof, making them ideal for outdoor setup.

Pros And Cons

These panels perform their designated task very admirably. If you have Eufy cameras, then you can rest assured that they will stay charged indefinitely once these panels are connected.

Their biggest strength is also their biggest flaw, however, as the use-set is very limited, meaning they’re not a great fit for anything other than powering Eufy cameras.

Jackery “Best Name in Solar Panels”

No list of solar panels or power solutions would be complete without a product from Jackery, one of the most well-known brands in power generation. That’s why we’re featuring the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro as the next item on our list.

About The Brand

As mentioned, Jackery is a top brand when it comes to power generation. They have a really strong reputation when it comes to providing products that have high-quality standards and solid feature sets.

When it comes to choosing a product, reputation can mean a lot, and Jackery has more than earned its highly trusted reputation.

Key Features And Benefits

This set also includes a portable battery and a panel to charge it. The battery is high capacity, with 2160 Wh capacity. This is a powerful battery that can power and charge many appliances and devices, making it an exceptional backup power supply.

The solar panel has a 200W capacity, and it is also highly durable and portable.

Pros And Cons

Once again, we have a really solid backup power supply with this product. The battery has a high capacity which would mean you only have to charge or top it up infrequently. If you have 6 of the solar panels, it can be fully charged in around 2.5 hours.

However, only one panel is included, which means that it will take significantly longer to charge. If you go for this set, you may want to purchase a few more solar panels to make it more efficient.

4Patriots “Best Solar to Protect Against Blackouts”

Next up, we have the 4Patriots Patriot Power Generator 1800. This is another pairing of a powerful battery with a solar panel to charge it, and it comes from another trusted name in this field of products.

About The Brand

4Patriots is a company based in Nashville, Tennessee. Their humble beginnings have led them to their current position as a leading name in self-sufficiency products. They also live up to their name with many products supporting US veterans.

4Patriots has constantly proven itself as a brand to trust thanks to their quality products and customer service.

Key Features And Benefits

The powerful battery included in this set has an output of 1800 watts and holds 768 Wh of power. This again makes it ideal for charging and powering most smaller devices and appliances, making it a highly viable option for a backup power solution.

The battery can be charged via an outlet or with around 10 hours of continual sunlight with the included portable solar panel.

Pros And Cons

Once again, we have a high-capacity battery that could serve an entire family during even the worst power outages. With the options you have to charge the battery, you would be able to weather long power outages or camping trips.

There aren’t too many downsides to this set, but it should once again be noted that this is more of a backup power source than a complete power solution.

Brookstone “Best Folding Solar Kit for Home”

The next product we have for you to consider is the Brookstone 120W Foldable Solar Panel. This is another standalone solar panel that you can use to charge and power a wide variety of devices.

About The Brand

Brookstone was founded in 1965, and they produce a wide range of products for the home, covering a large user base. They are known for their quality products that can not only make life easier but also more enjoyable.

With this product, we see their offering for a portable solar panel power solution that adheres to their high watermark for quality.

Key Features And Benefits

This kit comes with a foldable 120W solar panel that is durable and highly portable thanks to its folding design. It also comes with a 20A charge controller that can be used if you connect the panels to a battery or other charging device.

Otherwise, you can use the panels to charge phones and smaller devices.

Pros And Cons

This is a highly useful solar panel that is great for home use, camping, or other trips where portability is important.

As we have seen with these kinds of panels, it is best paired with a portable battery to get the most out of it.

EF ECOFLOW “Best Off Grid Solar Kit”

The next solar panel we have for you is the EF Ecoflow 160 Watt Portable Solar panel. This is another durable, portable option great for home use or to take on vacation for a convenient power supply.

About The Brand

Ecoflow is not the most well-known brand on this list, but they make up for it with their quality products and great variety. Their Amazon page shows off some of their other products, including rechargeable batteries that would make excellent companion pieces to this solar panel.

Key Features And Benefits

Here, we have another simple product that does the job admirably. The panel has a 160w capacity, and it has been designed with durability in mind. It is completely waterproof, foldable, and light to carry around.

Pros And Cons

As we mentioned, this is a simple power solution. Simplicity can be a good thing, however, and this panel is not only portable and durable but also easy to set up.

Once again, we would recommend pairing it with a power station. This page shows some of Ecoflow’s own power stations that you can use with these solar panels.

Renogy “Best Monocrystalline Solar Panel”

The Renogy 400 Watt Solar panel is our next portable solar panel for you to consider, and now we will take a look at what makes it so great.

About The Brand

Renogy is another lesser-known brand compared to some others, but they specialize in solar and power technology. Taking a look at their Amazon page shows that they have an impressive range of power supply products, showing they really know what they’re doing in this field.

Key Features And Benefits

With this set, you will receive a 400W portable solar panel along with a power controller. Additionally, you will receive various smaller implements to help you set up the panels. These panels are better suited to a more stable installation and could require a bit more work to set up.

Pros and Cons

The panels in this set are quite powerful. The 400W output can produce around 2K Wh of power based on around 5 hours of direct sunlight, so charging batteries and other devices would be very efficient.

These are some of the least portable panels we have seen thus far, however, so they would be ideal as a fixed home setup instead of a portable set you can take on trips.

Oupes “Best Emergency Solar Panels for Home”

The Oupes 1800W Portable Power Station is our penultimate product for you to consider, and it is an excellent option for both home use and camping trips.

About The Brand

Oupes specializes in power technology, and they have many options for solar panels, batteries, and other devices that can help you to be more self-sufficient with your power supply.

Key Features And Benefits

The set we are featuring here comes with a rechargeable 1800W battery that can be used to charge a variety of different devices with a few ports included for maximum compatibility.

You also have 2 100W solar panels included, which will help to charge the battery faster. The whole system has been designed to be easy enough for just about anyone to use.

Pros And Cons

This set is another solid option for a solar panel and battery combination. It’s easy to use, portable, and durable with decent power output to keep you going during a power outage or on a longer camping trip.

We would again say this is best suited as an emergency backup solution instead of a way to replace your standard power supply.

GioSolar “best Wind & Solar Hybrid Kit”

Our final product on this list is the GioSolar 1400W Wind and Solar kit. This one is a bit different from anything else we have looked at so far, as you will be able to harness not only the power of the sun but also wind power for even more options for sustainable energy.

About The Brand

If you look at GioSolar’s Amazon page, you will see that they have an impressive range of solar panels and power devices that can suit a wide variety of power needs. They may once again not be the most well-known brand on this list, but their product variety speaks for itself and shows that they certainly know what they’re doing.

Key Features And Benefits.

With this set, you will be getting several main components. This includes a 2000W Peak 4000W 48V Pure Sine Wave Power Inverter, 4 100W Monocrystalline solar panels, a 1000W 48V Wind Turbine Generator, a power controller, and a set of cables and other smaller implements to set it all up.

This gives you two options to power the powerful inverter, and you can combine both to harness multiple facets of nature in order to have access to clean energy supplies.

Pros And Cons

This is an excellent set that stands out from other similar products with the added wind turbine. It’s great to have a few different options for power and charging, and this gives you those options. The set is still fairly portable, durable, and easy to use as well.

The wind turbine’s usefulness will depend on your location. If you live in a place with not much wind in general, then you won’t get much use out of this aspect of the set.

How We Made Our Choices For The Top Portable Solar Panels For Home Use

In this article, we have looked at quite a few different products. Some of them are quite similar in what they offer while a few manage to stand out with some pretty unique features. We wanted to quickly summarize what we were looking for when compiling this list for you to consider.

• Brand QualityWe either wanted to find brands that have an established reputation or that have proven themselves with a wide range of products in this field that have been well received.
• Power OutputWe also wanted to ensure that power output was decent among all of these options so that each would be useful for its specific task.
• PortabilityPortability was another factor we wanted to consider. We made a few exceptions for some of the more heavy-duty options, but that kind of power solution will generally be larger and less portable in any instance.
• DurabilityThis was another aspect we highly considered, as we know how annoying and costly it can be to have to replace faulty equipment after not much use.
• Ease Of UseWe always value when technology and tools are simple and intuitive to use, so we tried to find products that are easy to install and operate.
• PriceYou will have noticed that the products on this list varied wildly in price. We wanted to include a lot of options that could suit high and low budgets alike, giving you more control over what you’re willing to spend.

Tips For How To Use Portable Solar Panels For Home

When you have chosen your preferred solar panel solution, you should always familiarize yourself with the instructions and setup instructions.

We would generally recommend not only placing your panels in areas where they will get a lot of sun exposure but also that you move them around and angle them as the time of day changes. This will help to ensure that you make the most out of your solar panels.

You should also use as many panels as you can, as this will charge your devices and batteries much faster.

Solar Panels For Home FAQ

What Is The Proper Placement For Solar Panels?

This will vary depending on the setting, but in general, you should place your panels as high as possible with little to no obstructions between the panels and the sun.

How Often Should I Clean My Solar Panels?

We would recommend wiping down and cleaning your panels at the end of each usage period and before you plan to use them again.

Can I Use Solar Panels With Compatible Devices?

You will usually have instructions and guidelines for compatible devices available once you purchase your panels. It’s generally recommended to pair the same brands, however. So, if you buy Jackery panels then you should ideally pair them with Jackery batteries, and the same would be true for any other brands.

How Do I Check Battery Levels?

This will vary from product to product, as some will have battery level indicators and others will not.

How Do I Store Solar Panels Safely?

If your panels come in a carry case, you should always store them in the included case. Otherwise, you should either store them in a case or make sure they’re stored somewhere relatively cool and dry. Covering them with something such as a towel can help to keep them clean for longer periods of storage as well.

Conclusion

We hope that this overview gave you lots of options that caught your eye! Whatever you choose, we are confident that you will be provided with a lot of self-sufficient power. Whether you are looking for a home backup solution for power outages or want to charge your favorite devices on camping trips, you’re sure to find something on this list that will be perfect for you.