Solar Panels Lights
The best solar lights will light up your backyard once the sun goes down, as well as transform your lifeless patio. In addition, they can add to the ambiance wherever placed, and also deter intruders. But, with so many solar lights on the market, it can often be tricky to know which one is suitable for your home. First, you need to consider whereabouts you want them located.
Is it for a large, outdoor space, balcony, or front porch? Ranging from ground lights, and path lights to decorative, string lights, there's a design for every home. In addition, how easy is it to install and use? And what's your budget?
We've selected the best solar lights to suit every backyard, lifestyle, and budget right now. And if you want to spruce up your backyard on a budget, these awesome products are all under $50.
What are the best solar lights?
After extensive testing, we found the best solar lights to be the Brightech Ambience Pro LED Outdoor String Lights. These string lights give off a gorgeous warm,
vintage glow and they’re as aesthetically pleasing as they are durable. You can wrap them around your deck with ease, and they’re sure to impress guests.
If you’re after path lights instead, then the August Solar Ground Lights are the ones to get.
While priced very reasonably, these ground lights feature a stainless steel design which is both low profile and effective. Ease of use can’t really be beaten here either.
If you need flood lights, then you should invest in the Aootek Solar Outdoor Flood Lights. These solar lights are super bright, hold up well to the elements, and feature a reliable motion sensor too. If anything, they’re a little too sensitive to movement.
The best solar lights you can buy todayThe best string solar lights
- Specifications
- Color: Black
- Lights included: 15
- Rated brightness: 1 Watt per bulb
- Estimated battery life: 5-6 hours
- Weather resistance rating: IP65
- Size: 48 feet long
- Reasons to buy +
- Warm, vintage glow
- +
- Made to last
- +
- Beautifully designed
- Reasons to avoid -
- Replacement bulbs are not readily available
- -
- Spacing between lights can feel awkward
Might want a dimmer
Want to make your patio look like an outdoor bistro or Italian cafe? Brightech’s solar-powered string lights will do the trick. This string of LED bulbs is designed to look like retro Edison-style lights, which will cast a warm, gentle glow on your deck in the evening.
The bulbs are made of shatterproof plastic and are designed to withstand winds up to 50 miles per hour, as well as rain, snow, and temperatures up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
When put to the test, these lights delivered in every respect here; enduring two severe rainstorms, one tropical storm, heavy rainfall in a shower, and four hours in the freezer, with no sign of damage.
The 12 Brightech Ambience Pro lights are connected on a 27-foot cord, with 20 inches between each light. (The company also sells a 48-foot version
with 15 bulbs, with three feet between each). At the end is a solar panel, which can be clipped to a railing or some other platform, or staked into the ground. There’s no ambient light sensor, but the lights last for up to six hours on a full charge. The lights also come with a 3-year warranty.
Read our full Brightech Ambience Pro LED Outdoor String Lights review.
The best solar path lights
- Specifications
- Color: Silver
- Lights included: 8
- Rated brightness: 8 LEDs
- Estimated battery life: 8 hours
- Weather resistance rating: IP65
- Size: 5.1 x 4.7 inches
- Reasons to buy +
- Low profile with flat design
- +
- Inexpensive at less than $5 per light
- +
- Easy to install
- Reasons to avoid -
- One of our lights didn't work out of the box, which seemed like a frequent complaint from online reviews
- -
- The plastic base is flimsy
- -
On the ground, placement could be a problem for some users
These small flat disks lie flush with the ground and provide accent lighting for garden beds and walkways. Each August Solar Ground Light (they come in eight to a pack) has a small 600 mAh battery that can provide illumination for up to eight hours. When we tested these solar lights, one didn't work straight out of the box, which seems like an issue with quality control, but the other seven functioned effectively.
These solar ground lights have a nice, stainless steel cap on top, which gives them a premium appearance, although the plastic spike on the underside admittedly feels flimsy and can break easily. In terms of setup, all you need to do is turn on the light and insert it into the ground, and it will do the rest we found installation couldn't be easier.
The effective built-in sensor will detect when it gets dark out, and automatically turn the light on; when it gets brighter, the light will turn itself off. With an IP65 rating, we found they were impervious to hot, humid, wet, windy, and freezing weather. However, the company recommends replacing the battery after a year or two, as its capacity to hold a charge degrades over time.
Read our full Aogist Solar Ground Lights review.
Best fairy-style string lights
- Specifications
- Color: Copper
- Lights included: 200
- Rated brightness: n/a
- Estimated battery life: Up to 14 hours
- Weather resistance rating: IP65
- Length: 72 feet
- Reasons to buy +
- Easy to install
- +
- Durable in the rain and frost
- +
- Nice mood lighting
- Reasons to avoid -
Performance depends on the level of sun
The AMIR string lights are so Pinterest. Add these solar-powered string lights to your pergola, fence, or wall, and you’ve got the makings of a cozy outdoor evening set. Amir’s solar-powered string lights are 72 feet long, with 200 LEDs spaced 3.5 inches apart. The lights are held together by thin copper wire, which virtually disappears, so all you see are the twinkling lights. The copper wire can also be bent to conform to various shapes, too.
AMIR’s string lights can be set to eight modes, including fireflies flashing, waves, fading, chasing/flashing, fading slowly, twinkling/ flashing, and steady on. You can also set them to turn automatically at dusk, and off at sunup. These lights are available in warm white, cool white, and blue, and also come in shorter 33-foot/100 LED lengths. On test, we found they were both easy to install and durable, lasting well despite the rain and freezing temperatures. However, they do need a good amount of sun to perform.
Read our full AMIR Upgraded Solar String Lights review.
Best smart solar lights
- Specifications
- Color: Black
- Lights included: 1
- Rated brightness: 80 lumens
- Estimated battery life: Varies depending on use
- Weather resistance rating: IP66
- Size: 16.8 in x 4.33 in x 4.33 in
- Reasons to buy +
- Built-in motion detector
- +
- Adjustable brightness
- +
- Integrates with other Ring products
- Reasons to avoid -
Requires bridge to connect to Wi-Fi
The Ring Solar Pathlight is the best solar light for anyone who has other Ring products, such as the Ring Video Doorbell. These lights provide downward-facing illumination for your walkway, have adjustable brightness settings, work with Alexa, and can send you notifications when they detect movement.
We really liked their motion sensors, which we could set to turn on only when they detect a person’s presence, helping to preserve the Pathlights' battery life. Additionally, you can connect them with other Ring devices, so that if the Pathlights sense something, your Ring camera or video doorbell can start recording automatically.
However, at $35 a piece, the Solar Path lights aren’t cheap, and you’ll also need the Ring Bridge ($50, sold separately) to connect them to your home Wi-Fi network.
Read our full Ring Solar Pathlight review.
Best solar flood lights
- Specifications
- Color: Black
- Lights included: 2
- Rated brightness: 128 LEDs
- Estimated battery life: 2200 mAh
- Weather resistance rating: IP65
- Size: 3.8 x 3.9 x 8 inches
- Reasons to buy +
- Super Bright with 128 LEDs
- +
- Holds up to the elements
- +
- Reliable motion sensor
- Reasons to avoid -
- Nonadjustable solar panel angle
- -
- Hard to adjust settings after installing
- -
Lights don't stay on long
These lights from Aootek have motion sensors built in to turn on its array of 128 LEDs when it senses movement. The motion sensor can detect people or objects up to 26 feet away in a 120-degree arc, and during testing, we found it caught everything that crossed its path. The company recommends you install the lights at least 5.5 feet high.
These floodlights, which have an effective arc of 270 degrees, can be set to one of three modes: Security, where the motion sensor activates the light for 15 seconds; On, where the lights turn on at dusk; and Smart Brightness, where the lights turn on a low setting at dusk and brighten when they detect movement.
These lights have a 2200 mAh rechargeable battery, and we found they stayed on for longer than similar models on the market. These lights are very durable too, holding up to rain and freezing temperatures with no detriment.
Read our full Aootek Solar Outdoor Flood Lights review.
Best solar step lights
- Specifications
- Color: Silver
- Lights included: 8
- Rated brightness: 2 volts
- Estimated battery life: 6-10 hours
- Weather resistance rating: IP44
- Size: 3 x 1 x 3 inches
- Reasons to buy +
- Easy to install and move
- +
- Holds up to wet weather
- +
- Inexpensive at $7 per light
- Reasons to avoid -
- Battery diminished in cold weather
- -
No motion sensor
If you want solar step lights specifically for your deck or fence, then our winning step lights are worth a look-in. They’re available in packs of two, four, eight, and 16 and there are six colorways to choose from. Each light features three LED beads and needs 6-8 hours to fully charge, providing 8-10 hours of illumination. When we tested them, we found that they over-delivered, staying illuminated for nearly 12 hours at a time, even after a rainy, cloudy day.
They’re not the brightest, but they sufficiently lit our steps, plus they held up fine in heavy rain and high winds. They were a little sluggish after being subjected to freezing temperatures though. We found them easy to install with a drill and at less than $40 to illuminate between 4 and 8 steps, they're a bargain compared to many of the other options.
Read our full JACKYLED Solar Step Lights review.
Best solar spotlights
- Specifications
- Color: Black
- Lights included: 2
- Rated brightness: 600 lumens
- Estimated battery life: 12 hours
- Weather resistance rating: IP65
- Size: 11.4 x 5.1 x 2.7 inches
- Reasons to buy +
- Easy to install and move
- +
- Bright with 600 lumens
- +
- Durable in rain and frost
- Reasons to avoid -
- Might be too bright for some
- -
Bulkier Design
If you’re looking for the best solar spotlights with high brightness, LITOM’s solar landscape spotlights will impress with their 600 lumens and 12 LED arrays. The solar panels for these spotlights are built into the head of the light itself, which makes for a somewhat more compact unit. However, this design can be a little limiting when you need to adjust the light and the solar panel for the optimal position.
The LITOM Solar Landscape spotlight is available in one of several varieties: Warm White (3000K), Cold White (6500K), and multicolored. The company also sells a version that lets you switch between cold and warm white. Each light has an 18,650 mAh rechargeable battery built in.
This provides up to 12 hours of illumination in low light mode and up to 6 hours in high light mode. The lights will also automatically turn on at dusk, and off at dawn. They can be mounted either in the ground using the included stakes, or on a wall with the included screws.
These lights sailed through our durability and weather-resistant tests, and they're easy to install with thick stakes. Our only real qualm is that they may be too bright for some.
Read our full LITOM 12 LEDs Solar Landscape Spotlights review.
Best smart step lights
- Specifications
- Color: Black, white
- Lights included: 1
- Rated brightness: 50 lumens
- Estimated battery life: Depends on use
- Weather resistance rating: IP66
- Size: 3.43 in x 2.19 in x 4.00 in
- Reasons to buy +
- Easy to install and move
- +
- Gives off plenty of light
- +
- Motion detection
- Reasons to avoid -
- Set up takes some time
- -
- Needs a bridge
- -
Didn't work reliably on overcast days
The best solar lights are not just about making your yard look cool; they also serve a safety function, too. Ring’s Solar Step Light helps brighten stairs leading up to your house or deck, making sure that you and your guests have a sure footing. These lights are small — just 4 x 3.4 inches — but provide 50 lumens each, making them more than bright enough to see each step.
What sets these step lights apart, is that each Ring Solar Step Light has a motion sensor built-in, which you can use for a variety of purposes: When they detect movement, they can turn on or brighten the lights, and, if they’re connected to Ring’s other products, can trigger other lights to activate, or security cameras or video doorbells to start recording.
On the test, the motion sensor wasn't overly sensitive, but it was reliable, switching on whenever we approached the step. In terms of durability, these step lights were admittedly sluggish to switch on after sitting in freezing temperatures, although they were fine in the rain. We also noticed that they needed a lot of direct sunlight to fully charge, so they struggled on overcast days. But, if you want the latest tech in your step lights, these are the ones to get. These lights are $30 apiece, but you’ll also need the Ring Bridge ($50, sold separately) to use them.
How we tested the best solar lights
We tested all of these lights over the course of a month at a coastal home in New England. To keep things consistent, we first unboxed all of them and left them outside to charge in various spots around the yard — in doing this, they would all receive the same amount of sunlight at the same angles.
After a week, we placed each light in the freezer for four hours before dusk and then returned them to the yard to monitor which ones functioned as usual and how long they stayed illuminated. We also tested water resistance, rinsing each under a shower head for two minutes.
Following the initial tests, we installed each of the lights in appropriate positions to monitor how they stood up to various weather conditions. Over 14 days, each solar light was subjected to a tropical storm, hot and humid days, overcast days, and rainy days. We monitored how well they stayed in place throughout.
How to choose the best solar lights for you
Wondering which solar lights should I buy?
Before you pick your favorites, take a stroll around your property at night and consider which areas you want to be lit up. Then, think about what solar light type would be most suitable. You might want to brighten up your driveway or the side doors, or perhaps the path itself.
Think about how many lights you are going to need and how bright they will have to be to achieve what you want. If you’re not 100 percent sure, then adjustable power solar lights might be best.
Take into account how much sunlight that area gets too. If it’s limited, you will need a separate solar panel which can be better placed. (Check out our 7 tips for improving the performance of your solar panels.)
If you want to improve the aesthetics of your deck or patio, then string lights or Edison bulbs are worth considering. These don’t provide intense lighting, but it’s enough for the background and adds a soft glow. However, if you’re buying solar lights so you can better see the steps, you need ones that are bright and fit for purpose — solar step lights are available for this very reason.
Ease of installation and battery life are important aspects to take into account, especially if you want the lights to last through the night. If battery life is your priority, you might want to consider a solar light with motion sensors — these will provide light only when you need it and ultimately save on power.
Don’t forget about what the solar lights will look like during the daytime as well. You don’t want them to look too cluttered or obtrusive. Some come with stainless steel casing to give a more premium appeal, while others have glass lampshades. Some can also be concealed easily as well, but make sure they’re not a tripping hazard. Check out our guide on how to best place solar lights for full details.
Path Lights: Solar path lights are designed to light up a path. These more often look like stakes that are inserted in the ground and the solar panel can usually be found directly on top. Bear in mind, if you choose this design, your pathway will need ample sunlight during the day; otherwise, opt for path lights that come with a separate solar panel.
String Lights: String lights feature a long cable that connects multiple bulbs — these can be dainty such as fairy lights or full-size bulbs. String lights look best when draped around the desired area, which can be anywhere from the patio to the flowerbeds. They’re designed for aesthetic effect rather than practicality and so won’t shed vast amounts of light.
Flood Lights: These solar lights are bright and intense, flooding light in your chosen area. They are usually mounted high up on a wall for maximum coverage. They’re great if you want full visibility for added security.
Spot Lights: These produce a narrow beam that can be angled to light up a specific point. They are designed to highlight areas in the backyard and are a great option if you don’t want to fill them with lights. Like path lights, these are usually designed with stakes to hold them in the ground, but they appear much more prominent.
Wall Lights: As the name suggests, solar wall lights are installed on the external walls or fences of your property and provide light immediately around them. These are great for added guidance and security at night.
Step Lights: Solar step lights are a must-have if you struggle with steps around your property at night. These are installed alongside the wall and light up the steps better than a singular light source would.
Things to consider when you buy solar lightsIt should go without saying, but be prepared for your solar lights to struggle in the winter months or if you live in a particularly cloudy climate. The more sun they get, the longer they will last — ideal if you live somewhere like Phoenix, but not so much if you live in Seattle.
The same goes for if you plan to place them in a particularly shaded location; they may not give you the performance you’re hoping for.
Don’t be seduced by online images before you buy. These can make the bulbs look brighter and bigger than they actually are so look over the specs for accurate information. Be sure to check how many bulbs you actually get and the length of any cable, if you need it to cover a specific area.
Think about what tone of lighting you want in the garden as well. Most solar lights use LED bulbs which project a white light. Some may find this too harsh, especially if it’s lighting where you plan to entertain guests! If you want a warm or soft tone, invest in solar lights with tinted covers.
If you’re about to throw away your current lights, before doing so check if they really are broken. If you don’t have much sunny weather, they may be struggling to charge. Bring them indoors and leave them under your regular lights. This will actually charge them! Some also come with a USB charger which you can use.
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Round up today's best deals
- Brightech Ambience Pro
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- $24.99
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- August Solar Ground Lights
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- Reduced Price
- AMIR Upgraded Solar Powered String
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- Ring Solar Path lights
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- Deal ends Mon, Sep 19
- LITOM 12 LEDs Solar Landscape Spotlights
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Why Solar Panels Do Not Always Live Up To Expectations
The need to switch to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar has never been more urgent. As the gas tap is slowly turned off, electricity becomes more and more expensive, and the effects of the warming climate are becoming painfully visible, more and more people are acquiring solar panels.
The performance of solar panels has been tested extensively in the laboratory. But do these PV systems indeed deliver what they promise? Researcher Bin Meng decided to test the solar panels in real-life. He found that on average the performance of the tested PV systems is 6 percent lower than expected. We talked to Meng to find out what is happening.
In the Netherlands, one in five households already has photovoltaic panels (PV) installed on their roofs, making this country a European leader in installed solar power capacity per capita.
Before people decide to install solar panels on their roofs, often spending thousands of euros, they want to know how much power they will generate. An accurate estimate of the yield will tell them how many years it will take to earn back their precious investments. Correct predictions also matter to the manufacturers of PV systems. They usually provide warranties on their product and don't want to be faced with a multitude of claims from their customers.
In practice, however, yield estimates are often based on standard test conditions that fail to take into account the precise situation on the ground. The actual performance often falls short of what people expect, due to variations in solar radiance, heat effects, dirt, shading, and module degradation.
Testing efficiency on the ground
To get a more precise idea about actual PV efficiency, Ph.D. Candidate Bin Meng of the Building Performance research group at the department of Built Environment contacted MorgenWonen, a daughter of the Dutch construction company VolkerWessels.
Over the past years, Morgen Women has built hundreds of pre-fabricated dwellings all over the Netherlands, of which parts are equipped with solar panels. Because both the homes and the panels are standardized, the researcher was offered a unique opportunity to compare the efficiency of 256 identical residential PV systems across 19 sites, both under the same conditions and between different conditions.
"This allowed me not only to assess the difference between promised and actual efficiency but also to tease out what exactly caused this difference," says Meng. In total, the researcher looked at five factors: location, orientation to the sun, seasonal variations, sky clarity, and aging.
The impact of masking
"The first thing I could see from my analysis is that actual performance falls short of what is generally predicted by simulation models. In fact, we found a 6 percent difference from the expected performance! This implies that sellers of PV systems tend to overestimate the efficiency of rooftop PV systems in typical Dutch residential communities."
"This is not only bad news for the customers, but it might also present problems for manufacturers and installers if failure to deliver expected performance leads to breach of contract," says Meng.
To find out what was happening, the researcher then looked at the individual factors. "We quickly saw that standard estimates tend to overlook the impact of masking on performance. This refers to the amount of indirect light that falls on the PV system and depends on the fraction of the sky that is visible to the panels. Even in suburban areas, where high-rise buildings are rare, the blocking of sky diffuse radiation tends to reduce PV efficiency quite significantly."
Improving simulation models
So what do these findings mean for the prospective buyers and sellers of PV systems? One obvious solution is to test the panels first in real-life, instead of just trusting the estimates of simulations in ideal circumstances.
"I looked at the impact of testing the panels for one month during high summer. Already, we were able to cut the relative error of conventional PV simulation models almost in half, by nearly five percentage points," says Meng.
The researcher acknowledges that this may not be a practical solution for many new buyers. However, he hopes that real-life testing can help improve current simulation models, so that future buyers will be able to achieve more accurate estimates of the masking effect, without actually having to install them first.
This will also help the manufacturers, who want to be sure about their claims. This will be part of future research.
Legacy systems
Another group that may benefit, are current owners of PV systems, says Roel Loonen, supervisor of Meng, together with Jan Hensen.
"Many people tend to forget about their panels, once they have them installed. They fail to regularly check their app on the telephone and are unaware if and when panels stop working. Doing regular checks on these legacy systems, using approved benchmarks, might help these users."
"They can also use the data to decide when to replace their panels. The standard lifetime of PV systems is estimated to be around 25 years, but we don't know for sure. Having real-time data about performance can help inform users about the optimal time of replacement. Not too late, but also not too early, considering the environmental impact of used solar panels. We want to use them for as long as they work well," says Loonen.
The research was published in Applied Energy.
Citation: Why solar panels do not always live up to expectations (2022, September 9) retrieved 17 September 2022
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
Best Solar Panels
Hydro, wind, geothermal, and solar panels all represent the future of renewable energy. But why wait for everyone else to figure out the benefits when you can take the initiative to start relying on renewable energy today? Whether you are looking to completely power a home, generate power for an RV, or just charge your phone at the campsite, the best solar panels are an excellent choice.
The best solar panels are typically made with monocrystalline silicon wafers. Their high efficiency and power output make them ideal for powering a home. However, polycrystalline and thin film solar panels are also effective choices that are more affordable.
To get a better understanding of the various products available, take a look at this list of top products, then keep reading for detailed information on solar panel types, size, weight, and device integration to help you find the best solar panels for long-lasting renewable energy.
How we chose the best solar panels
Having used solar panels to power camp stoves, mobile devices, and power stations for many camping trips, this first-hand experience helped to find the basis for the selection criteria, though extension research was also required in order to choose the best products from over 30 different panels.
The top choices were selected based on the type of solar panel, the size and weight of each product, as well as the suitability of the solar panel for various uses, like powering solar generators, hiking, camping, or heading out in the RV.
Monocrystalline products represent the best options available simply because they outperform both polycrystalline and thin film solar panels in both efficiency and power output. The size and weight of a panel impact the suitability of the product for specific uses. For instance, a 50-pound solar panel isn’t a good choice for hiking, but it works perfectly well for powering the home or even mounting on an RV. Lighter-weight products may blow off a home or RV.
The efficiency and power output of each product impacted our decision-making, but the individual ranges were typical representations of each type. Monocrystalline products offer the best efficiency and power output. Polycrystalline panels are the second best, while thin-film products rely more on affordability and portability to stand out.
Things to consider when buying the best solar panelsSolar panels are an investment that should be carefully considered in order to ensure that you get the best option for your situation. There are significant differences between the capabilities of the various solar panel types, but the size, weight, portability, and device integration can also help to determine which products are the best solar panels for camping, backpacking, or installing on the roof of your home. Take some time to learn about these important factors before making a decision.
Solar panel types
The type of solar tech you choose for your panels can have a profound effect on the appearance, cost, efficiency, and power absorption. The three main types can be differentiated by the material that is used to make the solar cells, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film.
The specific size and weight of a solar panel are key considerations when you are trying to determine the suitability of a product. For instance, compact lightweight solar panels are excellent for hiking, backpacking, and camping because they can fit into a backpack and don’t cause excessive fatigue. However, these panels are vulnerable to the wind because of their broad, flat shape and low weight, meaning that they can be carried away easily.
Alternatively, broad heavy panels are great for mounting on the roof of the house or an RV, but they are much too bulky to pack into a vehicle or set up at a campsite. So, it’s important to figure out how you want to use the solar panel before deciding on a specific product.
Device & battery integration
The purpose of solar panels is to absorb the solar power from the sun and convert it to usable electricity for a range of different devices and batteries. However, each product will have different devices that they can connect to, like USB-charging mobile devices, 12V batteries, or power stations. Before investing in solar panels, make sure that the specific product can be used as intended.
If you are looking for a way to charge your mobile devices, then it’s necessary to find solar panels that have USB outlets, but if the goal is to charge a boat battery, then solar panels that connect to 12V batteries would be best. If you aren’t quite sure what you want to use the panels to charge then it’s advised to invest in a power station that can collect, store, and convert the energy from the panels into usable electricity for a variety of different purposes.
The best solar panels: Reviews & Recommendations
Whether you’re using a solar panel to power a solar generator for an outdoor party or preparing to , we have plenty of choices to fit your lifestyle, budget, and use. Look on the bright side of life by checking out our recommendations below.
Best overall: HQST Solar Panel 2pcs 100 Watt 12V MonocrystallineWhy it made the cut: These monocrystalline panels have corrosion-resistant aluminum frames to ensure the solar panels can be used outdoors for an extended period of time.
Specs
Pros
Cons
The HQST 2-Piece Solar Panel Set comes with two 100-watt panels that each measure 40.1 inches tall by 20 inches wide. They’re just 1.2 inches thick. These best-quality solar panels have predrilled holes in the back of their frames that make it much easier to mount the panels to Z-brackets, pole mounts, or tilt mounts.
Each panel weighs 12.1 pounds and they can either be used separately or collectively to generate electricity. However, it should be noted that these solar panels are made for charging power stations, backup batteries, and any vehicles that operate with a 12V battery. This means that they are not equipped with outlets for USB, USB-C, or any other adapters for mobile devices.
The panels are supported by a durable aluminum frame that is specifically designed to resist corrosion and withstand snow loads of up to 112.8 pounds per square foot (PSF), and any winds of up to 140 miles per hour. With a high-efficiency rating of 21 percent and the versatility to be used for a house, boat, caravan, RV, or even camping, these panels are an excellent option for safe, renewable energy.
Best for the money: Nekteck 21W Solar ChargerWhy it made the cut: Pack this lightweight product into a backpack to take to the campsite and take advantage of the two built-in USB ports for mobile device charging.
Specs
Pros
Cons
Can easily blow away in the moderate wind if not secured These best solar panels for the money are lightweight and essential for camping, backpacking, and hiking trips that require the user to carry everything they need in a backpack. The Nekteck 21W Solar Charger weighs just 1.1 pounds and can fold up to just a quarter of the original size, saving space in the user’s backpack.When this product is unfoldable it reveals three monocrystalline solar panels that each have an efficiency rating of about 21 to 24 percent, ensuring that a high level of energy is captured from the sun and transferred to the USB outputs.
Plug in up to two USB devices at once to draw power directly from the 21-watt panels. It’s flexible, so it’s easy to arrange in such a way that it gets a good look at the sun. Simply adjust the angle and position of the solar panels according to the current position of the sun. Just keep in mind that this product only weighs 1.1 pounds, so even moderate winds can carry the panels away if they are not secured.
Best for camping: Goal Zero Boulder 200-Watt Briefcase Why it made the cut: Pack the briefcase-style monocrystalline panels into the truck or car and use the built-in kickstand for optimal positioning.Specs
Pros
Cons
The goal of camping is to get out into the wilderness and enjoy the outdoors, but it doesn’t have to mean totally abandoning technology. In fact, it’s advised to at least have an emergency radio available at all times to stay up to date on current and future weather conditions, as well as call for help in emergencies.
The Goal Zero Boulder 200-Watt Solar Panels is an excellent option to ensure that the campsite has power for the emergency radio, mobile device, electric camp stoves, and any other items that users take with them camping.
Each solar panel has a power output of 100 Watts, but both panels are attached and cannot be used independently, so these monocrystalline panels have a combined output of 200 Watts and an efficiency rating of 21 percent. The panels come with a carrying case, a built-in handle, and a kickstand to make transporting and setting up the panels easier. Even with those portability features, the 46.2-pound weight makes this the best solar panel for camping but a poor option for hiking or backpacking.
Best portable: Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar PanelWhy it made the cut: A built-in kickstand and handle make this foldable 60-Watt solar panel easy to carry and set up.
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Despite its small size, the Jackery Solar Saga Solar Panel has a high-efficiency rating of 23 percent due to its premium monocrystalline construction. However, while the size doesn’t impact the efficiency of the silicon wafers, it does reduce the overall power output to just 60 Watts.
That stream is still more than enough to charge up to two devices at once through the USB-C and USB-A ports. Additionally, the panels can connect to an available power station to simply store the collected energy until the sun goes down and the camp lights come out.
These best portable solar panels can fold in half and it has built-in handles to make them easier to carry. It weighs just 6.6 pounds, which is ideal for hiking, backpacking, and camping, though the slight weight does leave the panels vulnerable to high winds. The built-in kickstand helps to support the panels, but it’s advised to secure them to be certain that they do not get blown away.
Best for RVs: Renogy 200 Watt MonocrystallineWhy it made the cut: Set up these monocrystalline panels to get an output of up to 200 Watts at an efficiency rating of 21 percent.
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Operate the accessories and charging ports on an RV or a boat with these impressive Renogy 200-Watt Panels. These best solar panels for RVs come equipped with a solar charger controller to convert the solar power to usable electricity for both 12V and 24V batteries. The controller has a clear LCD display so that the user can review the operating information, switch between Amp and Volts on the display, and use the controller to set the battery type.
Mount the panels to the RV or simply use the built-in stand to set these panels up in the optimal position to absorb energy from the sun. This product is made with monocrystalline silicon wafers with an efficiency rating of 21 percent and a combined power output
of 200 Watts, though it should be mentioned that each solar panel has an individual output of just 100 Watts. These panels weigh 35.9 pounds, so they are not the best for hiking or backpacking, but the heavyweight and adjustable, corrosion-resistant aluminum stand ensures that the panels can hold up in poor weather.
FAQs Q. What are the three types of solar panels?
The three main types of solar panels are differentiated by the material used to make the solar cells. These types include monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film.
Monocrystalline is the most expensive option, but these panels also have the best efficiency and power output to a battery or device. Thin film panels are the most affordable, though they tend to have lower efficiency and power output than both monocrystalline and polycrystalline.
Polycrystalline solar panels fall midway between monocrystalline and thin film when it comes to price, efficiency, and power output.
Q. Can a house run on solar power alone?
Yes, a home can be run exclusively on solar power with the right number of panels, ideal positioning, and an adequate energy storage system to ensure that you have access to power when the sun goes down.
Q. How many solar panels are needed to run a house?
The average American home requires between 20 to 60 panels with a power output between 100 to 300 watts in order to completely replace the current electric usage. Using a smaller number of panels with a higher power output is a good way for smaller homes to operate on solar power without worrying about trying to fit 60 full-size panels on the roof.
Final thoughts on the best solar panelsThe highly efficient HQST Solar Panels are suitable for mounting to the RV, setting up at the campsite, or even mounting to the home to help save money on electric bills. However, if you are looking for a smaller solar panel for backpacking or hiking, then the affordable Nekteck 21W Solar Charger is the right way to go.