These compact solar panels charge my devices off-grid, and work during cloudy days

The widespread power outages in Spain and Portugal this week just go to show how much we take for granted our access to reliable power, and just how fragile the infrastructure supporting our modern world is. 

This is why I’m a big fan of off-grid hardware like power stations and solar panels. Most of these products are too big to carry around, though, so what’s practical for most people are devices that can keep smartphones and power banks charged when on the move. 

Also: The best portable power stations you can buy

Problem is, a lot of the stuff out there, such as those power banks with solar panels on them, are junk.

But there are some well-made solutions, and one is by Dark Energy (regular readers will remember the power bank I reviewed earlier this year), which has two solar panels: an 18W panel and a smaller, more compact, 8W panel. 

I’ve been testing the 8W panel in the UK spring sun, and I’m impressed by its performance.

Folded, it measures 9 x 8.75 inches (22.86 x 22.23 cm) folded — about the size of a tablet, and it expands out to 16.75in x 8.75in (42.55 x 22.23 cm). The whole package weights 8.3 ounces (235 grams). 

The weight is about half what I’ve come to expect from this sort of panel, which is a good thing if you have to carry it in a backpack. This alone makes it one of the more portable solar power panels I’ve tested. 

Regarding the power, the panel has a maximum output of 8W, and I found I could get about 6W on a hazy spring day in the U.K. On one end is the control panel that has a USB-C and USB-A port, and a four-LED “solar meter” that shows how well the panel is catching rays.  

The panel is water- and dust-resistant to IPX7, which means that it’s happy to be outside on a car or rucksack in all weather. It’s also happy to be bent and crushed — the sort of treatment that an outdoor bit of kit will inevitably receive. 

Also: The best power banks you can buy

And for easy transportation, there are Molle-compatible cutout slots in the panel allowing it to be lashed to a rucksack. This setup is perfect for keeping a phone or power bank charged up — about three to five hours to charge up a phone, or about eight to 10 hours to charge a 10,000mAh power bank like the Dark Energy Poseidon Pro.

Need more power on the move? Dark Energy’s 18W panel is about the same size when folded, just keep in mind it weighs almost twice as much and costs more, retailing on Amazon for $230. I appreciate both products’ ability to let you choose how much power you need, and how much you want to carry. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

The 8W Dark Energy panel is $120, while the 18W panel will set you back $230, and they come in black and orange. That’s a decent price for a good solar panel that will offer years of service. Not everyone needs a panel like this, but if you do, it’s definitely a panel to look at — it’s well built, tough, and performs well in all conditions.