Portable Solar Panels: A Buyer’s Guide

Why Portable Solar Panels Matter for Off-Grid Power

When travelling off-grid, having a reliable power source isn't just a luxury, it's a necessity. While fixed solar panels are a great foundation for any setup, they come with some built-in limitations. That’s where portable solar panels really come into their own.

Portable panels give you flexibility. They allow you to park in the shade to keep cool, while still being able to chase the sun with your panels. You can move them throughout the day to catch the best light, adjust the tilt angle to maximise solar input, and top up your batteries even when your fixed panels are underperforming. 

Fixed panels, by nature, are locked in place. Even if your vehicle is perfectly angled toward the sun, you’re only getting peak output for a short window in the middle of the day when the sun is right overhead. Portable solar panels can extend that window dramatically by staying aligned with the sun’s path, giving you more solar harvest throughout the entire day.

In short, portable solar panels are the perfect companion to a fixed solar setup. They’re ideal for campers, tourers, and off-grid enthusiasts who want to be comfortable, self-sufficient, and not be caught short on those low UV radiation days. 

What Size Portable Solar Panel Do You Need?

Choosing the right size portable solar panel comes down to one key question: how much power do you actually use - and how quickly do you need to recover your batteries?

Daily Power Consumption
Start by looking at your typical daily power usage. Are you charging phones and running a few lights? Or are you powering a fridge, fans, or even a coffee machine? The more gear you run, the more solar input you'll need to replenish your batteries. 

We have a few articles where you can learn about how to size an inverter, what sort of battery you may need, and how much power your inverter will use, but as a general guide, let's look at the most commonly used devices off grid*:

(*These are rough numbers, and will vary according to model/brand/size/ambient temperature etc - if you'd like to work out specifics for your appliances then head on over to this article).

As you can see, the amount of power used from your batteries running high powered devices can add up quickly - and what you use, you must replace. 

How Many Amps will my Portable Solar Panel produce?
Many people believe that a 400W panel should produce 400W all year round - this simply isn't possible. How many amps your portable solar panel will produce is a direct result of a myriad of factors, including:
•    The time of year
•    Your location
•    Ambient temperature
•    Pollution
•    How clean the panels are
•    Your solar controller's efficiency
•    How full your batteries are 

But, in saying this, generally speaking, our AllSpark 200W Quad Fold Solar Panels will produce approximately 13-15A, the AllSpark 250W Solar Blanket around 15-18A, and the 400W Quad Fold Solar Panels around 25-28A (in good solar conditions). 

From here the calculations become a bit fuzzy - how many hours a day will you get peak production? Solar Panels will produce power from when the sun comes up until the sun goes down, peaking when the sun is highest in the sky, but the production curve is bell shaped, and as such, we here at Offroad Living like to use 5 hours as the general figure for calculating how many amps we estimate a solar panel will put back into a battery over the day.

So, if you move your panels regularly throughout the day (chasing the sun) for a 200W Quad Fold, this would be up to 75A for the day, a 250W Blanket 90A, and a 400Q Quad Fold 140A. 

How do Portable Solar Panels compare to Fixed Solar Panels?

The ability for a portable panel to be moved throughout the day, and angled towards the sun, is where these panels outshine their conveinient fixed solar panel cousins. 

The production from a portable panel can be as much as 40% higher than that of a fixed panel at any given time of day (more so in the winter months, and earlier/later in the day, when the angle of the sun is at it's extreme). 

On the down side - you do have to find space for your portable panels within your vehicle, and they require manual setup and operation (moving around), so the type of portable panel you go for will be limited by these two factors. 

 

Types of Portable Solar Panels: Rigid vs Solar Blankets

When it comes to choosing a portable solar panel, there are three main types to consider: rigid glass panels, lightweight aluminium-frame folding panels, and solar blankets. Each has its pros and cons depending on your setup, how often you're moving, your physical ability and how much space you have.

Rigid Glass Folding Solar Panels
Rigid folding solar panels made with traditional glass construction are by far the most durable. However, this ruggedness comes at a cost - size and weight. These panels can weigh up to twice as much as a similarly sized lightweight aluminium-frame panel and solar blankets. That extra bulk can make them harder to lift in and out of vehicles, and more difficult to manoeuvre around your campsite on a daily basis.

Lightweight Aluminium-Frame Folding Panels
For those wanting a more portable option without sacrificing durability, slimline folding solar panels with aluminium frames are a smart middle ground. These panels are significantly lighter than glass options, making them far easier to carry and position. The aluminium frame still provides excellent structural integrity, which helps protect the panel cells during setup, pack-down, and transport. If you're frequently on the move, this balance of weight and strength makes them a very popular choice.

Solar Blankets
Solar blankets are the most compact and lightweight option available. They fold into a very small footprint, making them perfect for travellers who are tight on space or prefer a minimalist setup. However, their lack of a rigid frame means they don’t offer the same structural support as glass or aluminium-frame panels. Users need to handle them with more care - packing them securely, ensuring they aren’t bent or creased, and avoiding dragging them across rough ground. 

 

Key Features to Look for in a High-Quality Portable Solar Panel

Not all portable solar panels are created equal, some are simply re-branded, off-the-shelf products that are mass produced for companies to meet a particular price point. When you’re relying on solar power off-grid, (especially in Australia where the nearest town can be hundreds of kilometres away), quality matters. Whether you're investing in a folding panel or a solar blanket, these are the key features to look for if you want performance, reliability, and peace of mind.

✅ Warranty That Reflects the Build Quality
A solid warranty speaks volumes about the quality of a product. As a general rule:
- Glass folding panels should come with at least a 5-year warranty - this reflects their strong structural integrity
- Aluminium-frame folding panels should provide 2-3 years minimum
- Solar blankets, being more flexible and less structurally protected, usually carry shorter warranties 

AllSpark goes above and beyond here. Our Quad Fold lightweight aluminium panels come with a 5-year warranty, and our Solar Blankets are backed by a 3-year warranty - both are designed by us, and built and tested to handle the rigours of Aussie conditions.

✅ Reviews That Actually Mean Something
Customer reviews are useful - but they don’t always tell the full story. A product with hundreds of reviews might be using outdated tech or mixing feedback across older models. On the other hand, a newer, high-performance product may have fewer reviews simply because it hasn't been on the market as long.
That’s why it’s important to also consider the reputation of the business. Even the best gear can have the occasional fault. What matters most is how the company responds when something does go wrong.

Offroad Living has built its reputation on after-sales support - just check out our reviews and see how we look after our customers when it really counts.

✅ Weather Resistance (Because the Weather Doesn’t Always Cooperate)
A portable solar panel should be able to handle the elements - at least to a point. Look for a minimum IP65 weatherproof rating, which means the panel can handle a bit of dust and a light shower without frying its circuits.
Of course, no panel should be left out in extreme weather, and solar blankets especially need to be dried thoroughly before packing away to prevent mould growth.

AllSpark panels are designed for real-world touring and built to cope with the kind of use serious off-roaders demand.

✅ Quality Solar Controllers (Or None at All)
If a solar controller is included with your panel, make sure it’s a reputable brand with MPPT technology - not a cheap PWM controller that could bottleneck your system. Low-end controllers can dramatically reduce your overall solar harvest, defeating the purpose of buying a high-performance panel in the first place.

Our AllSpark panels are provided without a controller, so you can choose what suits your setup best. We personally use and recommend a small number of curated brands which we trust with our own travels - you'll find recommendations in our panel listings - or we can chat to you about your existing controller or DCDC to ensure it is up to the task.  

✅ A Simple, No-Risk Money Back Guarantee
A portable solar panel is an investment, and you should feel confident about that investment. A money-back guarantee means you can test the panel with your own setup and return it if it’s not the right fit. It's a simple, honest way to take the risk out of buying online.

Offroad Living offers a no-fuss money-back guarantee, because we know our gear performs - and we want you to experience it first-hand, risk-free.

 

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Portable Solar Panel for Your Setup

Whether you're a weekend camper or a long-term off-grid explorer, having the right portable solar panel can make the difference between a powered-up, stress-free adventure, or a flat battery at the worst time. From sizing your setup and choosing the right type of panel, to understanding warranties and build quality, making an informed decision puts you in control, and gives you the confidence needed to simply forget about power, and focus on what's most important on your travels.

At Offroad Living, we’ve built the AllSpark range to deliver exactly what serious travellers need: performance, reliability, and backup support when it counts. Whether you’re after the lightweight strength of our Quad Fold solar panels, or the compact efficiency of our solar blankets, you’ll get proven gear backed by real-world testing -  and the kind of support you can only get from people who live and breathe off-grid travel.

Still unsure what’s right for you? Get in touch - we’re always happy to talk power.