If you are planning a remote camping trip to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, you need your electronics with you. Spending a few hours without your favorite gadget is understandable but living 48 hours without them is impossible in today’s world. Moreover, a perfect camping trip requires more than a bonfire; you need electricity in the woods to keep pests from invading your camp. But how do you get light in the middle of nowhere during night time? – The answer is simple, best flexible solar panels.
That’s right; you can brighten up your night under the stars with a flexible solar panel you can carry. Although you escaped the city to enjoy time with nature, a little light will keep you safe in the shadows. But how do you choose the best flexible solar panel? This is the million-dollar question.
How to Choose The Best Flexible Solar Panel
If it’s your first time investing in an eco-friendly power solution, you need our help to find the best flexible solar panel. Here are a few factors to consider before buying a flexible solar panel.
1. Power
This factor is the most important one to consider when shopping for a flexible solar panel. An average 100-watt solar panel is used on boats for 2-3 hours, and higher wattage solar panels are used for camping trips. Ideally, you should invest in a 200 watt or above flexible solar panel so you can reap the maximum benefits out of your money.
2. Weight
Yes, flexible solar panels are heavy, so you need to look for a flexible solar panel you can easily carry. Although your solar panels will be on your car half the time, you might need to move them for better exposure to sunlight, and weight might be a problem. Don’t worry; the weight has nothing to do with wattage. The best flexible solar panels are lightweight and efficient energy producers.
3. Bending Angles
Finally, the most important thing in a flexible solar panel is it’s bending angles. The more a flexible solar panel can bend, the easier it will be to carry and the more sunlight it can grab since you can maneuver the panel to capture maximum energy from the sun. However, most flexible solar panel bends 30 degrees, which is a good number to live with.
The Best Flexible Solar Panel in 2021
If you have been scouring through a list of flexible solar panels and can’t make a choice, we are here to help you. Here is a list of flexible solar panels of 2021 you can buy right now.
1. Renogy 160 Watt 12 Volt
ASIN: B07JXYTFF7
The Renogy 160 Watt is a monocrystalline flexible solar panel with a sleek design and exceptional energy output. We choose the 160 watt variant of Renogy because it’s a fairly decent energy output fit for a camping trip. You can easily bend this flexible solar panel and lay it flat on your RV. It can easily be fixed in the hinges on top of your van, and it s has MC4 connectors that can easily charge most of your devices. Finally, this flexible solar panel is sturdy, and we checked it by dropping it from a 3 ft height, and its flexible nature mitigated impact pressure.
Key Feature
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- Durable
- Water-proof
2. DOKIO 80Watt Solar Kit
ASIN: B07VL369W9
Although the DOKIO solar kit produces less energy than Renogy 160 Watt flexible solar panel, it still made it onto our list because of its durability and maximum energy utilization. The DOKIO might be small, but it quickly converts solar power into electricity. You can connect all sorts of devices with the DOKIO solar kit and enjoy a good few hours of battery backup. Moreover, the DOKIO solar kit is lightweight, making it the perfect companion for short camping trips.
Key Features
- Lightweight 5lbs
- Quick charge
- Decent battery life
3. ALLPOWERS Solar Panel 100W
ASIN: B075YRKVMH
The ALLPOWERS solar panel is better than most flexible solar panels, thanks to its highly efficient energy conversion. You can expect 23% energy conversion from the solar cell used in this flexible panel, and the 100 Watt power is adequate for a family camping trip. Moreover, the thin design is lightweight and scratch-resistant, so you can rest assured the hard winds of the forest won’t damage your flexible solar panel.
Key Features
- 30-degree curvature
- Re-enforced mounting holes
- Easy storage design
4. GIARIDE 18V 21W Portable
ASIN: B0727X1ZPW
The Giaride 18V flexible solar panel is your best friend for a camping trip or some time away from the city. It uses the isolate technology, which recognizes the different devices connected to the solar panel, and distributes power accordingly. This not only protects your devices from over-charging, but it also utilizes solar energy efficiently. Moreover, it’s the lightest flexible solar panel we have reviewed thus weight, weighing in at only 1.76 pounds.
Key Features
- Isolate technology
- Lightweight and sturdy
5. WindyNation 100W
ASIN: B08FXVVLG4
The WindyNation 100W flexible solar panel is known for its durability and slim design. This flexible solar panel is water-proof and sustainable for outdoor use in any weather. Moreover, a blocking diode is used in the junction box to eliminate battery drainage and deliver extensive energy output. In summary, you can take WindyNation flexible solar with your anywhere, and you won’t face any problems regarding its durability, energy efficiency, and electricity output.
Key Features
- Sturdy
- Very lightweight
- Easy to carry
Our Final Thoughts
Out of 20 distinct, flexible solar panels, we finalized these 5 special flexible solar panels because of their flexibility, energy output, and weight. These flexible solar panels are your best friends during a camping trip or time away from technology. Don’t worry about the harsh outdoor weather; the flexible solar panels mentioned above are mostly made from monocrystalline technology, a sturdy and flexible material. The most you can expect are a few minor scratches, but they won’t hinder these solar panels’ performance.
