Having a good power station like the Generark HomePower One is the first step to charging all your devices camping or preparing for an emergency. When you pair it with a solar panel (or 2) then you can really go off grid.
The SolarPower One solar panel comes in a set of one or 2 or a combo with the HomePower One. They connect to a battery with an 8mm DC connection. If you have 2 you can connect them together with the included 8mm to Anderson Y cable.
This is a review of the SolarPower One solar panel from Generark.
Specs and Details
- monocyrstalline solar cells
- 23% cell efficiency
- 100 watt output each
- 8mm DC connection on 3 metre (9 foot) cord
- USB-A port (5V/2.4A)
- USB-C port (5V/3A)
- Included 8mm to Anderson Y cable
- IPX 5 water resistant
- Short circuit protection
- Over-power protection
- Surge protection
- 9.1 pounds
- $299 USD each
Pros
- Included Y cable
- USB-C and USB-A ports on the panel
- Monocrystalline cells
Cons
- not waterproof
What’s in the box?
The SolarPower One comes with the foldable solar panel, a built-in 8mm DC plug on a 3 metre cord (not removable) and an 8mm to Anderson Y cable to connect 2 panels to a power station.
The panel is foldable and has 2 large handles that magnet together at the end. It’s easy to carry on its own. If you have 2 in your hand and something else in your other hand it gets a bit cumbersome.
On the back of one of the sections is a zippered pouch. Inside is the DC cable, USB ports and 8mm DC to Anderson Y cable.
How fast do they charge?
The 8mm DC connection should be able to output up to 100 watts in direct sunlight. I’ve only been testing in the fall and winter with this panel but have been getting anywhere from 10 to 60 watts in the October and November sun from each panel.
What connections does the SolarPower One have?
The main connection to charge power stations is the 8mm DC plug on a 3 metre long cable. It also has one USB-C and one USB-A ports mounted right on the back of the panel. You can charge phones, lights and speakers straight from the panel. If you’re small USB batteries don’t have a DC port then you can charge directly off these ports too. Some solar panels don’t have built in USB ports so this is a nice option.
How much do they weigh?
Each of the SolarPanel One panels weighs just over 9 pounds. They’re easy to carry around and set up on their own. It’s easy to carry them from the car to the sunny spot in the campsite. They’re going to be too big to take backpacking though. A small foldable one or just a battery will be better for long distance hiking.
Verdict: Generark SolarPower One 100W Solar Panel
Highly Recommended.
Rating: 9/10
The monocrystalline cells in the Generark SolarPower One are efficient and fairly lightweight. The strong handles make the panel easy to carry and set up. They magnet together and hold well.
Having USB-C and USB-A ports right on the panel makes it easy to charge up smaller devices like phones and tablets and also small batteries. If you have a larger battery compatible with the 8mm DC then it’s just a straight plug into power station.
