Portable Solar Panels Explained: What Size Solar Panel Do You Need?

A practical guide for campers, caravanners, and 4WD tourers in Australia

Portable solar panels are one of the easiest ways to keep a power station, fridge, lights, phones, laptops, and camp gear running when you're away from mains power.

But choosing the right solar panel can be confusing. You'll see 100W, 200W, 400W, folding panels, blankets, rigid panels, and different plug types — and it's not always obvious what you actually need.

This guide keeps it simple.

What does a solar panel actually do?

A solar panel turns sunlight into electrical power. That power can be used to charge a portable power station, battery box, or battery system.

For most camping and off-grid setups, the solar panel is not running your gear directly. It is usually charging your battery or power station during the day, so you can keep using power at night.

Solar panel watts explained simply

The watt rating tells you the maximum power the panel can produce in ideal conditions.

• A 100W solar panel can produce up to 100 watts
• A 200W solar panel can produce up to 200 watts
• A 400W solar panel can produce up to 400 watts

But that is the best-case number. In the real world, solar output changes depending on sun angle, cloud cover, shade, heat, time of day, panel direction, and dust or dirt on the panel.

A 200W panel will not usually make 200W all day. You might only see peak output for a short period when the sun is strong and the panel is angled well.

Why solar panel size matters

The bigger the solar panel, the faster it can put energy back into your power station. A small panel may be fine for phones, lights, and occasional charging. A larger panel is better if you are running a fridge, Starlink, laptops, or staying off-grid for multiple days.

Use our Power Station Runtime Calculator to work out your daily power use before deciding on panel size — it takes the guesswork out of matching your solar to your actual needs.

Rough solar panel size guide

100W solar panel

Good for phones, tablets, LED lights, small power stations, and light weekend use. Best for people who only need basic charging and are not running much overnight.

200W solar panel

Good for camping fridges, medium power stations, lights, phones, and laptops. This is a good all-round size for a lot of campers and covers most weekend setups comfortably.

300W to 400W solar

Good for larger power stations, fridges, Starlink, laptops, camera gear, longer camping trips, and caravan or canopy setups. Better if you want to replace more of what you use each day. Browse our EcoFlow solar panels and BLUETTI solar panels in this range.

500W and above

Good for large power stations, multiple appliances, off-grid work setups, caravan backup, and home emergency backup charging. Suits people using a lot of power or trying to recharge bigger battery systems faster.

How much power can a solar panel make in a day?

A rough way to estimate daily solar output:

Solar panel watts × useful sun hours = watt-hours per day

For example: a 200W solar panel with 4 good sun hours could make around 800Wh per day.

But in real conditions, expect less. Losses from heat, angle, clouds, and charging efficiency all reduce the final number. As a simple rule, real-world solar production is always lower than the sticker rating.

Matching solar panels to power stations

Before buying a solar panel, check the solar input rating of your power station. You need to check:

• Maximum solar input watts
• Maximum input voltage
• Connector type (Anderson plug or MC4)
• Whether the power station has an MPPT solar charger built in

Many power stations can only accept a certain amount of solar input. If your power station caps at 200W, plugging in 400W of panels won't give you the full 400W benefit — the station limits what it can accept. Check the specs of your station before buying panels. You can browse our full range of portable power stations to compare solar input ratings.

Folding panels vs solar blankets vs rigid panels

Folding solar panels are easy to set up, move around, and pack away. They are the most popular choice for camping and portable power stations.

Solar blankets are lightweight and compact — handy when storage space is limited, but they still need to be positioned well in the sun.

Rigid solar panels are better for permanent setups on caravans, canopies, sheds, and vehicles. Tougher for fixed installs, but less portable.

Shade is the enemy

Even a small amount of shade can significantly reduce solar output. Common problems include tree shade, roof rack shade, awning shade, clouds, dirt on the panel, and poor panel angle. If your panel output seems low, check the position before assuming something is faulty.

Best solar setup for camping

For most campers, a solid setup is a portable power station paired with a 200W folding solar panel, running a 12V fridge, LED lights, and phone and device charging.

For heavier use — Starlink, laptops, or longer off-grid trips — step up to 300W to 400W of solar or a larger power station. Check out our EcoFlow solar panel range and BLUETTI solar panel range for portable options that work with both brands of power station.

Common mistake: buying too little solar

A lot of people buy a big power station but pair it with a small solar panel. The battery might last well at first, but if the solar panel can't replace what you use each day, the battery will slowly run down. Solar is not just about charging — it's about keeping up with your daily power use.

Common mistake: expecting full output all day

A 200W panel does not make 200W from sunrise to sunset. Solar output climbs during the morning, peaks around midday, then drops in the afternoon. This is normal — plan your daily use around it.

So, what size solar panel do you need?

• Light use: 100W
• Weekend camping with fridge: 200W
• Longer trips or Starlink use: 300W to 400W
• Large power stations or heavy use: 500W+

The right size depends on what you are running, how long you are away, and how quickly you want to recharge. Use our Power Station Runtime Calculator to get a personalised estimate based on your actual setup.

Final thoughts

A solar panel is one of the best upgrades for a portable power setup. The main thing is to match the panel to your power station and your real daily power use. If you are unsure, it is usually better to have slightly more solar than not enough.

If you're not sure what suits your setup, feel free to get in touch — we're happy to talk through the specifics without the sales pitch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any solar panel with any power station?

Not always. You need to check that the panel's voltage and connector type are compatible with your power station's solar input specs. Most quality stations use Anderson plug or MC4 connectors — check before you buy. Our EcoFlow and BLUETTI solar panels are matched to work with their respective power stations.

Can I connect two solar panels together to get more power?

Yes — most quality power stations support multiple panels connected in series or parallel, up to the station's maximum solar input. Connecting panels increases either voltage (series) or current (parallel) depending on how they're wired. Check your power station's manual for the recommended configuration and maximum input limits before connecting multiple panels.

Do solar panels work on cloudy days in Australia?

Yes, but output is significantly reduced. On a heavily overcast day you might get 10–25% of the panel's rated output. In Australia's climate, even partly cloudy days usually produce enough solar to keep a fridge running and devices topped up — especially with a 200W+ panel. The further north you are, the more reliable your solar production will be year-round.

How do I get the most out of my solar panel while camping?

Point the panel directly at the sun and adjust the angle throughout the day if possible. Keep it out of shade — even partial shade from a tree branch or roof rack can noticeably drop output. Keep the panel surface clean and dust-free. In hot conditions, airflow under the panel helps — panels actually perform slightly better when they're not sitting flat on hot ground.

What connector do EcoFlow and BLUETTI solar panels use?

EcoFlow panels use an XT60 connector with an MC4 adapter included. BLUETTI panels use an Anderson plug or MC4 depending on the model. Both brands include the appropriate cables for connecting to their own power stations. If you're mixing brands or connecting to a third-party power station, check the input connector type on your station before ordering.

Can I leave solar panels out in the rain?

Most quality portable solar panels are rated IP67 or IP68 and are designed to handle rain and wet conditions. That said, it's worth checking the IP rating on the specific panel you're buying. The connections and cables are the more vulnerable point — keep connectors off wet ground where possible and disconnect before storing in heavy rain.