Arguably, using any portable solar panels are better than fueling your adventure with fossil fuels.
However, there is still significant cloud cover preventing this list from being any longer, given solar panels still have a long way to go before being considered sustainable from end-to-end (read more in our guide: Are Solar Panels Sustainable?)
So supporting portable solar panel companies that are thinking about the bigger picture and actively working to create more responsible products is the way to go.
For this list we focused predominantly on quality, durability and social impact when it comes to new panels and we’ve provided a few options for sourcing secondhand panels too.
Going forward, we’re hoping to see sourcing innovations, efficiency upgrades, and recycling solutions to improve the sustainability outcomes of these products.
With this in mind, we’ll be transitioning to a new Brand Rating System where we will rate brands against 22 sustainability criteria. You can learn more about this here and look out for rated brands below.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Top Picks: More Sustainable Portable Solar Panels
Offering portable solar panels for backpacking, Goal Zero’s are lightweight, weatherproof, and produced without child labor.
Arguably the most ethical portable solar panels around, BioLite’s Parallel Innovation business model provides green energy to Indian and African communities in need.
Used portable solar panels are both money- and planet-saving. When they’re from EcoFlow they’re fully refurbished and tested to be good as new.
Index: Portable Solar Panel Brands
- Biolite Jump to section
- Anker Jump to section
- Goal Zero Jump to section
- Jackery Jump to section
- Ecoflow Jump to section
- eBay Jump to section
- Facebook Marketplace Jump to section
Biolite
About BioLite’s Portable Camping Solar Panels
BioLite is a household name for adventurers, they’re a go-to for eco-friendly camping gear, too.
In addition to camp stoves, cooking accessories, headlamps, and lighting, BioLite is an industry leader in portable solar panels, power stations, and battery banks.
Their flexible, lightweight solar panels have a battery and USB outputs that make charging phones, tablets, cameras, and other gear easy.
The monocrystalline panels themselves feature an integrated sundial to optimize power from the sun.
BioLite’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
BioLite leverages the revenue stream from outdoor markets to supplement growth, product research, design, and implementation to provide affordable access to solar power and cookstoves for those living without access to the energy grid.
Families in India and Africa have benefited from affordable access to solar power and the HomeStove, a cookstove so energy-efficient that it was issued carbon credits for its performance.
They have an Emerging Markets (EM) team headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya which works to provide training and financing to remote customers.
By 2025, they hope to reach 20 million people with access to clean energy.
Already, the Climate Neutral Certified company has supported over 3,612,951 people in Asia and Africa with 4.812,600 kwH of electricity—offsetting 718,964 tons of CO2 in the process.
Anker
About Anker’s Solar Panels for Camping
Anker is the global leader in charging technology.
The Chinese electronics manufacturer is behind innovative smart devices for travel, entertainment, and smart homes.
These include some of the best rated portable panels that fold up for on-the-go use.
The 100W solar panel uses monocrystalline cells to convert up to 23% sunlight into solar energy, even on cloudy days.
Some of the lighter, smaller-wattage affordable portable solar panels offer a 21.5% – 23.5% efficiency.
The solar products are scratch and weather-resistant and backed by an 18-month warranty.
Anker‘s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Anker firmly abides by anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and opposes unethical practices.
The company is also “committed to responsible and sustainable procurement”.
Recognizing that e-waste is a massive problem, they try to re-use as many lithium-ion batteries, electronic components, and materials as possible.
They also have a line of efficient and mercury-free, cadmium-free alkaline batteries produced from recycled components.
They’re currently in the process of producing highly efficient rechargeable batteries that are a greener alternative to conventional lithium batteries.
Goal Zero
About Goal Zero’s Portable Solar Panels
If you’re preparing to live or travel off the grid then Goal Zero is the one for you.
They’ve been supporting roadtrippers and adventurers with innovative portable power stations, solar panels, and solar generators—before they were mainstream.
You can even shop by adventure (vanlife, RV, overlanding, etc.)
Their monocrystalline portable solar panels include a lightweight, backpacking-ready option and Briefcases in 100W and 200W. They’re rugged and weather-proof and backed by a two-year warranty.
The Boulder Series may be a little too big to strap to your backpack, but these briefcase folding designs make for excellent RV solar panels, with no roof mounting required.
Any model can be paired with Goal Zero’s numerous power stations—including the ultra lightweight and portable Yeti200X—which are made with metal to withstand the test of time.
The lithium batteries are rated for 500 cycles to 80% capacity and well over 2,000 life cycles in total.
Goal Zero‘s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Goal Zero requires all partner factories to adhere to their health and safety standards, living conditions, child labor, and wages and benefits (they’re third-party audited, too).
Offsets are used for their shipping operations and corporate headquarters footprint, and they’re working on reducing the amount of virgin material in their packaging.
In addition to creating products that last, they try to recycle and refurbish returned products, so far having recycled more than 120 tons of material.
Each year, they send a portion of profits to disaster relief, community advocacy, and other social projects around the world.
Jackery
About Jackery’s Solar Panels
Jackery has been the answer for adventurers around the world.
Founded by a group of adventurous engineers (of course), they’re now a global top-selling, award-winning company and the #1 producer of portable power.
Praised by numerous full-time vanlifers and permanent RV dwellers, they’re some of the best rated portable solar panels in the industry.
Their foldable and super portable SolarSaga Series monocrystalline solar panels are also one of the most efficient on the market, at 23.7%.
Keep in mind the industry average is around 15%.
They can be connected to Jackery’s power stations to deliver charging capacity for off-grid activities—even high-draw appliances like air conditioning.
Jackery‘s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
All Jackery products meet or exceed conventional market regulatory, environmental, and safety standards.
Ecoflow
About EcoFlow’s Used & Waterproof Solar Panels
EcoFlow is a Chinese startup offering eco friendly (used) portable solar panels.
Paired with their portable power stations or integrated into their solar generators, the brand’s efficient monocrystalline solar cells are IP68 certified—AKA waterproof, durable, and able to handle all types of weather.
Even at sizes roughly 10% smaller, they still offer an increased charging speed thanks to a 23% conversion rate.
Like comparable brands, their DELTA power station is rated for 800 cycles of use, after which its capacity will drop to 80%.
EcoFlow‘s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
EcoFlow’s eco-differentiator is that you can buy refurbished models.
Their panels are rigorously tested to ensure like-new quality and efficiency of 21% – 22%.
Along with power banks, the refurbished solar panels are pre-owned units returned by a customer.
While they may possess cosmetic imperfections, they’re meticulously tested, repaired (if needed), and reviewed for performance.
Like new solar panels, the refurbished ones are also backed by a one-year warranty.
eBay
About eBay’s Used Portable RV Solar Panels
If you’re looking for the best budget solar panels, give eBay a peek before paying full retail price.
The OG of online resale marketplaces has a small—but growing—range of open box and used portable solar panels at amazing prices.
While you may see some panels offering 90-100W systems, it’s more likely that you’ll find smaller portable solar panels, better suited for charging devices like mobile phones and cameras.
Facebook Marketplace
Finding Secondhand Panels On Facebook Marketplace
Arguably the most convenient platform to buy secondhand, you can check out Facebook Marketplace from your couch, mid-scrolling.
A compilation of both local and remote sellers, the platform’s range of used portable solar panels is continually updated with the latest products on offer.
You might find extremely affordable panels with batteries and kits from some of the brands mentioned above.
Just be sure to do your research so that you know what you’re getting and what you need to get powered up.
And be wary of scams. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
