Portable solar panels are one way to generate electricity for those living nomadically or camping. They are not permanently attached to the vehicle but must be set out in the sun each time for use. Portable panels can be a great solution for power needs, but good results require the discipline to deploy them every day, stow them every night, and take care of them. One significant advantage of portables is the ability to set them in the sun while the vehicle remains in the shade for passive cooling.
When framed solar panels are used as portables they are no different from any other panel. Suitcase and some standalone panels are often made of "flex" crystalline cells that break over time. Silicon crystal is a crystal and cannot flex without damage. Flexible solar panels like CIGS or other film-based cells can flex.
Portable solar panels don't need to be mounted, which saves expense and time, and they are kept inside the vehicle when not in use, which increases stealth and reduces chance of theft. Some panels have integrated USB outlets, allowing you to charge devices without needing additional equipment.
Solar harvest
Rated watts are rated watts; a 100w portable panel will make the same power as a 100w installed panel under Standard Test Conditions.
In terms of solar harvest, portable panels can actually outperform flat-mounted panels when they are set out facing ~south (in the northern hemisphere) at seasonally-optimal tilt in clear weather (tilt has minimal effect in overcast conditions). Portables can also be frequently repositioned throughout the day to optimally face the sun in clear weather. (For reference, automated single-axis trackers that follow the sun automatically can increase yield over fixed tilt by 20-35%. Increases from occasional owner repositioning will be lower.)
Disadvantages
You obviously can't generate electricity from panels that aren't deployed, and this is the biggest drawback of portable solar panels. They can't be collecting sunlight while you're driving, or when you're parked in a location where the panels might be stolen or damaged. If you are in a location for a short time, you might not want to bother setting the panels out. If your panels aren't waterproof, inclement weather might prevent you from setting them up; or wind might blow the panels over, face down. Since portables are frequently set out on or near ground level, there is more chance for shade to block the light, and more chance for people or animals to damage the panels.
If the panels are connected to the electrical system with a long wire to allow deployment further from the vehicle, this can cause a voltage drop.
Compared to fixed panels, portable panels are usually more expensive per nominal watt.
When the panels are deployed, you're not ready to leave in case of emergency.
Types of portable solar panels
Small framed panels
(external image) These are the type of rigid-frame panel that is usually permanently mounted, but usually smaller to keep weight and storage size down. Of the portable panel options, they are the cheapest per watt and most durable, but heaviest. They can be difficult to stow due to the frame thickness, panel size, and rigidity.
Briefcase panels
(external image) Briefcase solar panels are typically 2-4 small panels hinged together. The case folds up after use for easier storage and protection. Most have a built-in handle for easier carrying. Compared to other portable options, they are usually most expensive per watt, relatively heavy, and are subject to mechanical wear from setup and teardown. Some have a built-in charge controller, resulting in very long wiring runs between controller and battery, which can lead to voltage drop.
Semi-flexible panels
(external image) Semi-flexible panels are basically the panel part of a framed panel without the frame. In the past these were usually amorphous (aka "thin-film") cells, but now it is common to see mono- and, to a lesser degree, poly-crystalline cells. Semi-flexible solar panels are very lightweight and extremely thin, which allows it to be slid into narrow storage. Their light weight may make them more likely to blow away in wind, and they are much easier to damage than framed panels; consider the lifetime of these panels to be a few years rather than decades. These panels are roughly twice as expensive as framed panels.
Encased panels
Low yield panels (10w-25w) encased in hard plastic. Most often seen in backpacking scenarios or on dashboard "battery maintainers". They are very small and have low output, yet have the highest cost per watt. They may overcharge batteries that are unused.
Side-mounted solar panels
Side-mounted solar panels are a relatively uncommon solution to increasing the solar harvest you can get from the available exterior space on a vehicle used for living nomadically.
Resources
| Search Amazon | Search Amazon for related products. | |
| Search forums and groups | Search van life discussion groups for "portable solar panels" | |
| Search related sites | Search van life sites for "portable solar panels" | |
| Search NomadLife.wiki | Search other pages on this wiki for "portable solar panels" |
Some content on this page was originally sourced from doku.php?id=opinion/frater_secessus:portable_panels on RVWiki.