Best Portable Solar Panels in 2023

Zamp makes its foldable solar panels in Bend, Oregon. 

This separates them from other solar power manufacturers that have overseas manufacturing.

All Zamp's solar panels are of the higher quality monocrystalline type.

This means they offer smaller overall dimensions for the same power output when compared to the cheaper polycrystalline solar panels.

Smaller is always a good thing when you are dealing with a portable solar panel system. It helps keep the size and weight down.

Zamp Solar - Made In The USA

Very high-quality latches secure the solar panel suitcase in the closed position while being stored.

It comes with a padded ballistic nylon case.

Each solar panel kit has an ergonomic handle. Carrying the folded up camper solar kit couldn't be easier.

The solar panel legs are adjustable.

That said, the amount of tilt will vary with the season and your location, depending on the angle of the sun.

All Zamp portable folding solar panels come with a 15-foot lead. It runs from the mounted solar controller to the RV.

The power lead has alligator clip electrical connectors. Simply connect them directly to your RV battery bank.

The alligator clips are removable, which reveal SAE connectors that can plug into the solar port of your motorhome or travel trailer.

(Some RVs come from the factory with SAE style solar connectors that allow easy connection of portable solar panel system.)

Depending on the wattage of your Zamp portable solar power kit, you will have the following rating on the included PWM solar charge controller:

• a 10-amp (90 and 140-watt systems)
• a 15-amp (180 and 230-watt systems)

All Zamp charge controllers are waterproof, which means you don't have to worry about them getting wet while outside.

Zamp solar charge controllers have 5 charge stages (soft, bulk, absorption, float, and equalization).

All manufacturers make solar charge controllers that have bulk, absorption, and float charge modes (called a 3-stage charger).

The vast majority will also have an equalization mode (4-stage charger).

The soft charge mode that is unique to Zamp controllers slowly ramps up the battery to 10 volts of charge after it has suffered an extreme discharge.

This smells a little of marketing hype (soft charge mode) to us, but we aren't electrical engineers.

Other than the 'fancy' 5 charging modes, the Zamp solar controllers feature LED lights that display what charge mode is currently active as well as RV battery condition (voltage).

It's a pretty slick feature that allows for a glance to see what is going on.

The Zamp solar charge controller has a digital LCD display which cycles through the following readings:

• Battery voltage
• Charging current (amps going into battery bank)
• Charged capacity (amp-hours)
• Battery temperature reading (requires optional battery temperature sensor)

Zamp Portable Solar Panel Overview

With a portable solar system, size matters. The larger the size, the heavier the panels and the more space it takes up.

While monocrystalline solar cells are more expensive, having a more compact size is worth the extra cost.

Renogy has newer style 100-watt and 200-watt portable solar panels. They call them Eclipse.

The Eclipse camping solar panels are higher efficiency (make better use of 'incoming' solar energy when converting it to usable electricity).

This makes them smaller sized and lighter than the legacy 100-watt portable solar panels.

When compared to the best portable solar panels for camping, Zamp portable solar systems, the Renogy portable solar systems aren't built as well.

They have lower quality overall. Also, they lack the features of the Zamp portable solar panels for RV use.

Having said that, Renogy makes very satisfactory products.

You cannot go wrong with them.

However, the main downside to Renogy foldable solar panels is they do not offer the wide selection of wattage choices that Zamp does.

Renogy folding solar panels have a sturdy aluminum frame.

However, their latching system leaves much to be desired. It can give a bit of a hassle.

And the support legs can be a bit shaky. Why? Their hold-down bolts tend to back out easily.

Neither of these 'issues' are deal-breakers, but they are annoying enough to share.

A very nice padded case comes standard with the Renogy portable solar systems.

This provides adequate protection while storing your panel.

Additionally, the support legs are infinitely adjustable.

Therefore, you can adjust the tilt angle of the solar panels for maximum output.

Of course, the amount of tilt you need depends on the time of year and your location. Location determines the angle of the sun in the sky and hence, the angle needed.

The 100-watt and 200-watt Eclipse foldable solar panel, as well as the legacy Renogy 100-watt solar suitcase, include a 20-amp solar charge controller (Renogy's Voyager model).

This is a 5-stage PWM charge controller. It's equipped with a digital LCD screen and LED indicator lights.

The screen shows RV battery charge information plus other important information.

Its LED indicator lights show battery state of charge and which charge mode is currently active.

Additionally, the Voyager 20-amp controller is waterproof. This is important because it's going to 'live' outdoors in all types of weather.

Renogy Solar Panel Manufacturing

Renogy Portable Solar Panel Features and Specs:

• Available in 100-watt (Eclipse and legacy versions) and 200-watt (Eclipse) versions
• Monocrystalline solar panel cells
• Anti-reflective coated glass for maximum sunlight absorption, especially at low sun angles
• Aluminum frame
• Carrying handle
• Latches to secure solar panels in the closed position when not in use
• Tilt legs allow for precise solar panel angle adjustment to capture the solar energy
• Protective carrying case
• 10-foot cable (from controller to RV batteries) with alligator clip ends for direct connection to the battery bank, and MC4 style connectors for easy lead extension
• 5-year material and workmanship warranty. 25-year limited power output warranty (tiered). View warranty here (PDF).

• Maximum power output: 5.6 amps
• Open dimensions: 42.2" x 21.5" x 1.6"
• Closed dimensions: 21.1" x 21.5 x 3.1"
• Weight: 19.4 pounds

• Maximum power output: 11.3 amps
• Open dimensions: 42.2" x 41.3" x 1.6"
• Closed dimensions: 21.1" x 41.3" x 3.1"
• Weight: 33.6 pounds
  

• Maximum power output: 5.6 amps
• Open dimensions: 40.2" x 27.3" x 1.6"
• Closed dimensions: 20.1" x 27.3" x 3.1"
• Weight: 27.6 pounds

Renogy 'Voyager' Solar Charge Controller Features and Specs:

• 20-amp solar charger controller
• Waterproof
• PWM (pulse width modulation) solar controller
• 5-stage charge controller (modes: soft charge, bulk charge, absorption charge, float charge, and equalization charge)
• For use with flooded, gel and AGM style lead-acid batteries as well as lithium batteries
• Equalizes batteries if they fall below 11.5 volts or every 28 days
• The digital LCD screen shows battery voltage, charging current (amps), charged capacity (amp-hours), and battery temperate (if optional battery temp sensor is used). Any error codes will also show on the LCD.
• LED lights show current charge mode as well as battery state of charge
• Maximum wire gauge accepted: #10 AWG
• Includes battery temperature sensor (to optimize charger performance based on temperature of battery bank).
• 1-year warranty

Camp Addict Co-Founder Kelly was gifted an Eco-Worthy portable RV solar panel kit.

So, we have first-hand knowledge of what you get when you choose this solar power option.

Be prepared to deal with a very cheaply constructed solar suitcase.

Who Is The Eco-Worthy Line of Panels For?

They suit the camper/RVer who doesn't very often need solar power for camping and doesn't care about having the best portable solar panels for RV use.

If you do a lot of boondocking and/or like to see what is going on with the charge and battery states, get a different portable solar power system.

As has been noted, these are cheaply constructed.

They have legs that bend if you look at them sideways, and it has no carrying case.

These are just a few of the downsides to going with Eco-Worthy solar panels for camping.

There is an aluminum frame for the Eco-Worthy portable solar panels, and folding aluminum legs.

However, the legs are not adjustable.

Therefore, you cannot control the tilt angle of the solar panels to adjust for varying sun angles.

The aluminum folding mechanism bends VERY easily.

If they should bend (and they will), they're hard to fold back into the stored position.

It comes with a carrying handle

Also, it has a  fairly decent latching system (better than Renogy) to secure the solar suitcase in the closed position. 

10 feet of electrical lead is included with alligator clip style electrical connectors to connect directly to your RV battery bank.

The wire is very small, which allows Eco-Worthy to save money.

However, this doesn't help with power transmission between the portable solar panels and your RV battery bank.

Also, there are no additional electrical connector types included (which come standard with the other reviewed portable solar systems). Therefore, you cannot easily extend the lead.

The included 15-amp solar charger controller is as basic as it comes.

It is a 3-stage charge controller, whereas the competition comes with either a 4 or a 5-stage charge controller.

Therefore, why would anyone buy an Eco-Worthy camper solar kit as it's far from being the best solar panels for RV use?

Great question!

The only scenario we can see this being a viable option is if you don't need a portable solar panel for camping except on the rare occasion. Or, if you have an extremely tight budget.

If this is you, then the cheap construction and lack of information provided by the solar battery charge controller might be something you can live with. 

If you rely on solar power to keep your RV batteries charged, we strongly recommend sending a little more money.

This means going with one of the other reviewed portable RV solar panel options.

Knowing what your RV batteries are doing is vital in keeping them from dying prematurely. This means having a solar battery charger controller that gives you the necessary information.

This is not the case with the Eco-Worthy foldable solar panels.