Which flexible solar panel is the best value?
The best value flexible solar panel in this group is the Renogy 100W Lightweight Flexible Solar Panel, ranked #1 of 4 at $1.500/W. It costs $149.99 at Renogy. Renogy's other panels follow: the 50W Flexible Solar Panel at #2 of 4 and the 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel at #3 of 4, each shown at $1.560/W.
The EcoFlow 100W Flexible Solar Panel comes last at #4 of 4, with $1.990/W. Dollars per watt is a fair way to line up panels of different sizes. Dollars per watt ignores weight, voltage, the connector and the warranty, which also matter when you choose a panel.
| Product | Best current price | Cost per watt | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
 Renogy 100W Lightweight Flexible Solar Panel | $149.99 at Renogy | $1.500/W | #1 of 4 |
 Renogy 50W Flexible Solar Panel | $77.99 at Renogy | $1.560/W | #2 of 4 |
 Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel | $311.99 at Renogy | $1.560/W | #3 of 4 |
 EcoFlow 100W Flexible Solar Panel | $149.00 at EcoFlow | $1.990/W | #4 of 4 |
Why does the Renogy 100W Lightweight Flexible Solar Panel rank first?
It ranks first because it has the lowest cost per watt here: $1.500/W, against $1.560/W for both the other Renogy panels and $1.990/W for the EcoFlow panel. At Renogy that works out to $1.50 per watt on a price of $149.99. It is rated at 100 W.
Renogy lists its weight as 4.2 lb. That puts it in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class for panels. Renogy also lists a Voc of 22.5 V and an Isc of 5.75 A.
Before you buy any panel, check its Voc against the solar input limit of the charge controller or power station it will feed. Do the same with the current rating.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
How light is the Renogy 50W Flexible Solar Panel?
The Renogy 50W Flexible Solar Panel is the lightest panel in this roundup at 2.87 lb, next to 4.2 lb for the Renogy 100W Lightweight Flexible Solar Panel, 5.1 lb for the EcoFlow 100W Flexible Solar Panel and 10.8 lb for the Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel. It is rated at 50 W and sells for $77.99 at Renogy. Its price of $77.99 is the lowest here, set against $149.99, $199.00 and $311.99 for the other panels.
On cost per watt it comes to $1.56 per watt, which places it #2 of 4. Renogy lists a Vmp of 18.5 V with an Imp of 2.71 A, plus a Voc of 22.6 V and an Isc of 2.92 A. A smaller panel can make sense when space is tight or the load is modest.
Keep in mind that a lower rating means less power in the same hours of sun.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
How much power does the Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel offer?
The Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel offers the most output in this group at 200 W, against 100 W for the Renogy 100W Lightweight Flexible Solar Panel, 100 W for the EcoFlow 100W Flexible Solar Panel and 50 W for the Renogy 50W Flexible Solar Panel. Renogy lists a warranty of 10 years that covers materials and workmanship, and a separate 25-year warranty covers power output of at least 80%. Those 10 years are longer than the 3 years EcoFlow lists for its own panel.
The price is $311.99 at Renogy, or $1.56 per watt. It weighs 10.8 lb, which is in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class. Renogy rates it at 20.1 V Vmp and 10.02 A Imp, with a Voc of 23.9 V and an Isc of 10.74 A.
The output connector is listed as mc4, and the Voc temperature coefficient is -0.29 %/°C.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
Where does the EcoFlow 100W Flexible Solar Panel fall on price per watt?
The EcoFlow 100W Flexible Solar Panel falls last on price per watt, at #4 of 4 with $1.990/W. The $199.00 listing at EcoFlow comes to $1.99 per watt. It is rated at 100 W, the same as the Renogy 100W Lightweight Flexible Solar Panel, which costs $149.99.
EcoFlow lists a weight of 5.1 lb. Like every panel in this group, it sits in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) class. Its listed Vmp is 17.1 V and its Imp is 5.9 A.
EcoFlow gives a Voc of 20.3 V, an Isc of 6.3 A and a Voc temperature coefficient of -0.33 %/°C. The output connector is mc4, and EcoFlow lists a warranty of 3 years.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
How do you pick the right flexible solar panel?
Start with the power you need each day and the space you have to mount the panel. Then compare dollars per watt across the sizes that fit. Weight matters on a roof with a low load limit, or on a boat or van.
Check the Voc and the current against your charge controller or power station before you order. If you already own gear from one brand, check which panels that brand says its products accept. Look at the connector type and whether your gear takes it without an adapter.
Read what the warranty covers and for how long. Finally, compare the warranty length, where the maker lists one, alongside the price per watt.