Solar panel matcher
Start from the station you own or the panel you're eyeing. We check the panel's voltage against the station's solar input window, work out which plug or adapter you need, and estimate the solar-only recharge time.
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What makes a panel fit
Voltage. Every station's solar input accepts a range of open-circuit voltages (Voc). A single panel's Voc has to sit inside that range. Below the minimum, the charge controller won't start. Above the maximum, you risk damaging the input. Two panels wired in series add their voltages, so check the total.
Connector. MC4 is the industry standard plug for panels. Most stations use XT60, Anderson or 8mm inputs instead, so an MC4 panel needs a simple adapter cable. Panels with a brand's own plug fit that brand's stations directly.
Watts. A panel rated above the station's solar input is safe; the station only draws what it can take. Recharge estimates assume 75% of the panel's rating in full sun. Browse every solar panel by score or every power station by score.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a solar panel is compatible with my power station?
Check two things: the panel's open-circuit voltage (Voc) must fall inside the station's solar input voltage range, and the plug must fit the station's solar port, directly or through an adapter.
Can I use a solar panel with more watts than my power station's solar input?
Yes. The station only draws up to its rated solar input, so the extra watts are simply unused. Voltage is the limit that matters: a Voc above the station's maximum can damage it.
Do I need an adapter for an MC4 solar panel?
Usually, yes. Most power stations take XT60, Anderson or 8mm plugs, so an MC4 panel connects through a standard MC4-to-XT60, MC4-to-Anderson or MC4-to-8mm cable. Many stations include one.
How long does it take to charge a power station with solar?
Divide the battery's watt-hours by the watts actually reaching it. We assume a panel delivers 75% of its rating in good sun, capped by the station's solar input, so a 200 W panel puts about 150 W into a 1,000 Wh station and refills it in under 7 hours of full sun.