Best Portable Solar Panels for Cloudy Areas

If you’re living in a cloudy area most solar panels wouldn’t produce much electricity.

You’ll only be able to run a bulb and a fan and even such small appliances might not last for long.

Fortunately, there is a solution to these problems. There are specific types of solar panels that can produce a great amount of electricity even under cloudy weather.

To help you choose the best portable solar panel that works great in cloudy areas we’ve analyzed 23 solar panels  and listed the top 5 in this post.

1. SunGoldPower 200W Solar Panel

SunGoldPower 200W Solar Panel is a sturdy and durable panel with the capacity to survive wind, rain, and snow and dust storms.

Furthermore, it has scratch resistant anodized aluminium frame that makes it resistant to corrosion.

It has a pretty high efficiency rate of 25% and its performance isn’t affected much even when there are extremely dark clouds.

It is powerful enough to provide enough energy for large appliances such as refrigerators or AC.

The panel comes with a pre- drilled hole and it’s pretty easy to set up. It takes only 2-3 minutes.

It is compatible with all types of batteries. LGM, Fel, and etc.

Although at 33 lbs it’s a bit heavy, it won’t give you too much trouble during camping.

That’s why it’s great for both indoor and outdoor use.

You can check the price and more details about this solar panel here.

Pros

• Easy to install.

• Powerful enough to run large appliances such as a refrigerator.

• 25% efficiency rate.

• Efficiency declines by only 1% or 2% even when there are extreme clouds.

• Built-in corrosion resistant aluminum frame.

• Can survive strong storms. Including wind, rain, dust, and snow storms.

• Compatible with all types of batteries.

Cons

• The only con of this panel is that it’s a bit heavy.

Specificifications

Watts: 200W

Weight: 33 lbs

Dimensions: 62.2” x 31.8” x 1.4”

2. Eco Worthy 100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel

This one is a sleek, durable, and effective panel that looks fine on the roof, lasts for decades, and gets the job done perfectly.

It comes in black and white color and has a modern appeal.

It comes with an aluminum frame which means corrosion won’t be your concern. Plus, it can withstand wind, rain, dust, and snow storms.

These are all good reasons for why this panel is durable but it doesn’t stop here.

The panel has a smart built-in protection system that keeps it from overloading, overcharging, and etc.

As for the efficiency rate this one’s score is great. It’s 25% and it decreases by only 5%-

10% during cloudy days.

It can be connected with only AGM and Lead Acid batteries. Lastly, it’s not heavy to carry which makes it a good option for RV, Caravan, Boat, and etc.

You can see what users have to say about this solar panel.

Pros

• Smart built-in protection system.

• Aluminum frame for resisting corrosion.

• Modern and sleek design.

• Easy to set up

• Not heavy

• Dust, snow, rain, and windproof.

Cons

• The contacts on the controler are undersized.

• Works with only AGM and Lead Acid batteries.

Specifications

Watts: 100W

Weight: 24 lbs

Dimensions: 47.6” x 21.3” x 1.4”

3. Renogy 100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Renogy 100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel is one of Renogy’s most popular products.

It’s high in power and has an elegant design.

The panel is light, small, and portable which is why it’s a great option for outdoor use. Such as camping, hiking, and etc.

It can produce enough power to run multiple small and medium sized appliances (like kettles).

Such as charger, laptops, cameras, bulbs, lamps, and fans.

During the cloudy days it’s efficiency rate drops by 8%-10%

The MC4 connector keeps the panel immune to dust and water.

Furthermore, this panel has a built-in protection system that keeps it safe from overcharging, overloading, short circuiting, and more.

It comes with an aluminium frame that makes it resistant to corrosion and it can be connected with most types of batteries.

Click here if you want to find out more about this solar panel.

Pros

• Light and easy to carry.

• Run multiple small and medium appliances.

• Sleek design.

• Dust and water resistant.

• Corrosion resistant.

Cons

• There are plenty of complains about customer service

• About 1/10 of these products seem to have a 1 deviation less voltage than the company advertises.

Specifications

Watts: 100W

Weight: 16.5 lbs

Dimensions: 47” x 21.3” x 1.4”

4. ACOPOWER 120W Solar Panel

ACOPOWER 120W Solar Panel has enough power to keep the essential appliances running all night.

It can produce enough power for multiple lamps, bulbs and fans.

On cloudy days, the efficiency of this panel drops by 10%-12%.

For the ease of carrying, it comes in 2 plates of 60W. Both plates can be folded together like a suitcase which makes it extremely easy to carry this panel — plus, the panel weighs 18.45 lbs only.

The panel isn’t only easy to carry, it’s also pretty easy to install. It can be installed in less than 2 minutes.

Thus, it’s a good option if you need to change the panel’s location every now and then.

Its MC-4 connector allows you to attach the panel directly to the battery. It can be connected with almost all types of batteries.

That’s why it’s also a great option for people with RV, Van, and etc.

Finally, it has a charge controller that allows you to expand the panel upto 240W.

Click here to check the price of ACOPOWER 120W solar panel.

Pros

• Small, light, and portable. Meaning it’s pretty easy to carry.

• Easy to install.

• Can be extended upto 240W

• Works with all types of batteries AGM, LTO, Fel, LifePO4 and etc.

Cons

• High powered appliances such as AC and refrigerators need multiple panels.

• Dust may lower the performance slightly

Specifications

Watts: 120W

Weight: 18.45 lbs

Foldable Dimensions: 24.21” x 20.27” x 1.97”

5. BigBlue 100W Portable Solar Panel

BigBlue 100W Solar Panel is another foldable panel on the list.

It’s small, light, portable and can easily fit inside your backpack — a great option for activities such as camping and hiking.

The dual USB port makes the charging super-fast and provides 18V DC output.

There is a portable solar station that allows you to connect the panel directly with your phone, camera, laptop, and GPS units.

The panel has a smart and safe build which ensures that the panel doesn’t overcharge, overload, or short circuit.

The efficiency rate is pretty high between 21% to 23% and it drops by 10%-12% in cloudy days.

For the easy set up and for getting the optimal energy, it comes with 5 adjustable kickstands.

It’s a monocrystalline solar panel with a long life span of about 25 years.

Find the price and what users have to say about BIgBlue Portable 100W Solar Panel.

Pros

• Light, small, and foldable. Thus a great option for hiking.

• Built-in protection against overcharging, overloading, and short circuiting.

• 5 adjustable kickstands for better user experience.

• 21%-23% efficiency rate.

• Fast charging

Cons

Dust may reduce the overall performance slightly.

Extremely dark clouds can reduce the efficiency rate by 15%.

Specifications

Watts: 100W

Weight: 8.8 lbs

Folded Dimensions: 16.5” x 14.3” x 1.9”

Buyers guide to choosing the best solar panel for cloudy areas

While the solar panels mentioned above are the ones we’ve found to be the best in the market, it’s best if you know what to look for in a good solar panel.

This small guide will introduce you to different types of panels and which one is the best for cloudy areas.

Types of solar panels

Polycrystalline

The advantages of these panels are that they’re cheap and easy to maintain.

But, they are not the most efficient option and they provide the worst output under cloudy weather.

Thin Film

Thin films are the most cost-effective option of the 3 types They’re the cheapest and easiest to maintain.

The downside of these panels are they have the least efficiency rate and they don’t provide the best output when the light is low.

Monocrystalline

These panels produce the best output under cloudy weather. Plus, they have the highest efficiency rate during normal weather.

The downside of these panels is they’re not the easiest to maintain and they’re the most expensive.

How to get the most out of your solar panel?

Making even small mistakes can rob you some of the energy your solar panel can produce.

Read the points mentioned below to understand exactly when, where, how you’re going to get the most output from your panel.

Area: Hot areas such as Texas and Miami have more sunlight therefore they provide more energy to solar panels.

On the other hand, cold areas like Fargo, Dakota usually has less sunlight thus they provide less energy.

Season: Summer is the best season for solar panels because it’s the hottest and shiniest season.

In contrast, Winter is the coldest season and has the least sunshine. Therefore, it’s the worst season for solar panels.

Clouds: Although the panels mentioned in this post work fine under clouds, it’s still best to put your panel in a place where the sun shines the most.

Because where there is most sunshine all the wavelengths red, blue, violet, and etc are present in the highest amount.

Conclusion

A solar panel that can produce a good amount of electricity under clouds is awesome. It becomes even more important if your area doesn’t have the sunshine all the time.

The options mentioned in this post are one of the best in the market. Choose the ones that best suit your needs and enjoy the benefits of this awesome technology.

updated for September 2023