Which portable solar panel is the best value here?
Among the foldable panels compared here, the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500 ranks #1 of 3 on value, at $1.698/W. A search for the best portable solar panel turns up many sizes, so this list compares rank, weight and listed electrical figures. BLUETTI sells the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500 for $849.00.
The 350W Solar Panel comes in at #2 of 3, with a value of $1.854/W at a BLUETTI price of $649.00. The EcoFlow 110W Portable Solar Panel is the lightest of the group at 8.8 lb, against 28.4 lb for the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500 and 30.6 lb for the 350W Solar Panel. Decide whether price per watt or weight matters more to you.
| Product | Best current price | Cost per watt | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
 BLUETTI 500W Solar Panel SORA 500 | $849.00 at BLUETTI | $1.698/W | #1 of 3 |
 BLUETTI 350W Solar Panel | $649.00 at BLUETTI | $1.854/W | #2 of 3 |
 EcoFlow 110W Portable Solar Panel | $249.00 at EcoFlow | $3.627/W | #3 of 3 |
What do you get for the price of the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500?
The 500W Solar Panel SORA 500 is rated at 500 W, and at $849.00 from BLUETTI that comes to $1.698/W. BLUETTI lists its weight as 28.4 lb, which is less than the 30.6 lb it lists for the 350W Solar Panel. Its output plug is listed as mc4.
On the electrical side, BLUETTI gives it a Vmp of 40.92 V and a Voc of 49.1 V. Current at peak power is 12.22 A, and the short circuit figure is 13.31 A. Read the price per watt next to the rated watts, because a higher-watt panel can cost more up front and still cost less per watt.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
How does the 350W Solar Panel compare with the larger BLUETTI panel on price?
BLUETTI sells the 350W Solar Panel for $649.00, below the $849.00 it asks for the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500. Per watt, though, it costs more, at $1.854/W against $1.698/W. Its rating is 350 W.
BLUETTI lists a Vmp of 37.5 V and a Voc of 46.5 V for this panel. Its Imp is 9.2 A, with an Isc of 10.8 A. If your budget is firm, the up front price may matter more to you than the cost per watt.
What sets the EcoFlow 110W Portable Solar Panel apart?
At 8.8 lb according to EcoFlow, the EcoFlow 110W Portable Solar Panel weighs less than the 28.4 lb and 30.6 lb BLUETTI lists for its panels. It shares the easy to carry (under 30 lb) weight class with the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500. It is rated at 110 W.
EcoFlow lists a Voc of 21.8 V and a Vmp of 18.4 V. Imp comes to 6 A, and Isc is 6.5 A. EcoFlow also gives a Voc temperature coefficient of -0.33 %/°C.
Like the BLUETTI panels, it lists an mc4 output connector.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
How do the panels compare on voltage and current?
The 500W Solar Panel SORA 500 lists the highest Voc here at 49.1 V, followed by 46.5 V for the 350W Solar Panel and 21.8 V for the EcoFlow 110W Portable Solar Panel. Vmp falls in the same order, from 40.92 V to 37.5 V to 18.4 V. For current, the short circuit ratings run from 13.31 A on the larger BLUETTI panel down to 10.8 A on the smaller one and 6.5 A on the EcoFlow panel.
Before you buy, check that the open circuit voltage of the panel stays under the solar input voltage limit of your power station. Look at the input current limit as well. If you plan to link panels, follow your power station manual and keep the combined voltage and current inside its limits.
What temperature range does each maker list?
BLUETTI rates the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500 for an operating range of -25 °C to 65 °C. EcoFlow lists an operating range of -20 °C to 85 °C for the 110W Portable Solar Panel. So the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500 lists a colder low end, at -25 °C against -20 °C.
The EcoFlow panel lists a hotter high end, at 85 °C against 65 °C. If you use panels in very cold or very hot weather, compare the listed range with the conditions you expect.
How should you choose among these foldable panels?
Start with the solar input limits of your power station, in volts, amps and watts. Make sure the panel's voltage and current stay inside those limits before you look at price. On value, the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500 holds the #1 of 3 spot.
Compared with the 500W Solar Panel SORA 500, the 350W Solar Panel costs less up front, at $649.00 against $849.00 at BLUETTI. If weight matters most, the EcoFlow 110W Portable Solar Panel is listed at 8.8 lb. Think about how far you will carry the panel and where you will set it up.
Check that the connector on the panel matches the cable or adapter you plan to use. Prices can change, so check the current price before you buy.