Best Solar Panel Reviews UK 2023 – Top 10 Comparison

Last Updated On July 5th, 2022

Solar panels are not necessarily a new product, however, they have rapidly been growing in popularity over the last few years. When it comes to picking out the best solar panel system for your home, camper van, boat, or anything with a roof-like surface, there is such a wide range of options available that it is not uncommon to become overwhelmed. That’s why we compiled a list of the top 10 best solar panel options for convenient energy production at home, or on the go.

Best Solar Panel Reviews – Top 10 Picks

1. Renogy 100W (Editor’s Choice)

Renogy 100W monocrystalline solar panels are our favourite pick for anyone seeking a flexible style solar panel system. The bendable design is highly versatile and excellent for mounting on a curved surface like on top of a camper or boat.

Features

Renogy 100 watt solar panels can flex up to 248 degrees which are significantly more flexible than most solar panels designs. This option is also lightweight at 1.81kg and nearly paper-thin making it easy to transport from one place to another when space is limited.

This solar panel is reinforced with metal built-in mounting eyelets, which contribute to an easy installation process on your roof or other desired location. Renogy also makes a less powerful 50-watt model of their solar panel if you are seeking a smaller, more compact option.

Be aware, these solar panels could possibly be less powerful than advertised unless they are under close, direct sunlight. The cables included are also shorter than most so you may want to consider upgrading them.

Dimensions: 121.67 x 53.34 x 0.2 cm

2. Ring Mountable (Best Value)

If you are seeking a solar panel to power your doorbell and comes at a great value, the Ring Mountable makes an excellent choice. This solar panel model was specifically designed to keep your Ring Stick Up Cam battery and Spotlight Cam battery charged at all times, hassle-free.

Features

The Ring Mountable is a miniature solar panel. It comes with a tool kit and a USB cable included for easy solar panel installation. It also features an adjustable mounting bracket allowing you to access more solar power.

To better suit and blend into your home’s exterior, the Ring Mountable solar panel is available with either a black or white coloured frame.

Keep in mind, the Ring Mountable solar panel is not very powerful and is not designed to power much more than a video doorbell. It also comes with a less durable mounting system according to consumer reviews.

Dimensions: 195 x 140 x 10mm

3. POWOXI 20W (Best with Smart Charging)

The POWOXI 20W monocrystalline solar panel is our top choice if you are seeking smart charging capability. It has a recently upgraded design and easily attaches to your phone, car battery, or any other 5-volt device with a kit for remote charging power.

Features

The POWOXI 20W solar panel comes with an 8 amp charge controller and features a conversion rate reaching up to 22.5%. The intelligent three-stage PWM charging controller is protected from power issues and intuitively adapts to charging requirements and usage and has indicator power lights to alert you of its status.

This solar panel is adorned with an integrated bracket that folds out or can easily be mounted if you prefer. It weighs 1.81kg and comes with lifetime tech support. To make the most of the power and energy available, the POWOXI 20W solar panel activates an automatic shut off at night and restarts in the morning.

Drawbacks to the POWOXI 20W solar panel include it being constructed with a lightweight ABS plastic frame which may prove to be less durable over time. Additionally, it is relatively less powerful than many of the other options on our list making it less versatile.

Dimensions: 41.4 x 39.12 x 2.03cm

4. ECO-WORTHY 120W (Newbies Choice)

The ECO-WORTHY 120 watt is one of our choices for the best solar panels. This monocrystalline solar panel is a great beginner-friendly option suited for use on a boat, shed, greenhouse, motorhome, or any small rooftop space.

Features

The ECO-WORTHY 120W solar panel is relatively powerful for its compact size and can generate 0.5 kWh/day with less than 4 hours of full sun exposure and has a ± 3% output tolerance. This solar panel can easily be wired in a series if you wish to expand your setup and requires a 12-volt power supply and load for use. A Plug and Play connection cable comes included.

Each ECO-WORTHY 120W solar panel comes with 24-hour tech support to help address any possible issues that may arise. They also feature pre-drilled holes in the sturdy aluminium frame, which help make it easy to install.

While this solar panel is an excellent choice for many reasons, it doesn’t come in the best packaging and there are several reports indicating it doesn’t protect equipment well. In addition, it lacks all of the mounting equipment needed for installation.

Dimensions: 1315 x 665 x 35 mm

5. ECO-WORTHY 10W (Best Multi-Purpose)

As a solar panels manufacturer, ECO-WORTHY is one of the best on the market. That’s why they appear on our best-of list several times. Their 10W monocrystalline panels are our number one if you are looking for a compact, highly portable solar power option to charge your car, boat, ATV, or phone away from your home.

Features

The ECO-WORTHY 10-watt portable solar panel features strong suction cup attachments on the backside so you can easily mount it to your dashboard, car, or anywhere you like really. It also comes with a handy elastic carry belt to further increase its portability.

The ECO-WORTHY 10W battery is protected against reverse discharge to help preserve its lifespan and keep it running at its highest efficiency level. To ease the user experience, alligator clips and a car cigarette lighter attachment come with the ECO-WORTHY 10W solar panel. The solar panel itself weighs only 680g.

While the ECO-WORTHY 10W is splashproof, it is not completely waterproof so you’ll want to make sure you bring it inside if it rains. The only thing we consider a con with this panel is that it is a less powerful model so it can not produce a lot of energy or power.

Dimensions: 36.5 x 23.5 cm

6. Topsolar 30W (Best Suitcase Style)

Topsolar 30W monocrystalline panels are another excellent option on our list designed for utilizing solar power and charging devices when you are off-grid and away from your home. It is also lightweight and easily portable making it a great option for mounting on top of a boat, camper van, or RV.

Features

The Topsolar 30W solar panel facilitates 5-volt power output. It comes with a long cable with alligator clips for car charging, another cable with an O-Ring Terminal, and a charge controller with overcharge, discharge, over-voltage, short circuit, and reversed polarity protection.

Topsolar builds their solar panels with an anti-corrosion aluminium frame and a tempered glass coating that shields the solar panels surface to increase durability, even in more extreme weather conditions. The entire solar energy panel weighs 2.9kg weight.

Potential cons for these quality panels include them coming with shorter cables and only having very minimal and brief instructions. However, you can always get help online for these types of things and the cables are easy to upgrade.

Dimensions: 62.99 x 35.56 x 5.33 cm

7. ECO-WORTHY 120W Foldable (Best for Camping)

The ECO-WORTHY 120W Foldable monocrystalline solar panel system has a unique folding design for enhanced portability. ECO-WORTHY also recently upgraded this model so it now has an additional 20 watts of power to enable better charging speeds.

Features

The 120W Foldable easily folds in on itself to become compact for easy transport and quick installation. It comes with 10 DC adapters, a three-metre cable, and multiple USB ports for charging phones. Each Foldable panel can generate up to 500Wh per day of power with less than four hours of full sunshine.

These ECO-WORTHY quality panels weigh 4.2kg. They also come with a zippered carry pouch for the charge controller and cables to help keep you organised during transport. They have a varying tilt angle thanks to the unique folding design as well as four buckles that allow you to hang the panel if you prefer.

Unfortunately, ECO-WORTHY is not completely waterproof so you will have to make sure you keep it folded up and inside during inclement weather.

Dimensions: 57.6 x 41.2 x 7.6 cm

8. DOKIO 100W Foldable Suitcase (Corrosion-Resistant)

The DOKIO company is next up on our best-of list with their 100W Foldable Suitcase solar panels featuring monocrystalline cells. It has a folding suitcase-style design with a strong handle that makes it super easy to travel with and set up at a moment’s notice.

Features

When it comes to set-up, the DOKIO 100W Foldable Suitcase is beginner-friendly and takes almost no time at all, even on your first attempt. These high-efficiency solar panels come pre-wired and with a pre-installed controller so all you have to do is unfold and tilt the dual adjustable kickstands and you’ll be producing energy almost instantly.

For connection, DOKIO 100W Foldable Suitcase solar panels feature easy to use battery clips for 12-volt battery charging capability. They are also protected by a durable aluminium frame.

Be aware, these solar panels may only feature one connection option so they are not as versatile as some of the other options on our list. It may also be difficult to communicate with customer service in a timely manner.

Dimensions: 132 x 53 x 2.5cm

9. ECO-WORTHY 25W (Best Durable)

ECO-WORTHY 25W monocrystalline solar panels have an all-new upgraded design with additional connectivity options including a USB port to increase its overall versatility and efficiency. We really like the ECO-WORTHY company for their range of current quality panels on the market today and this is another great example of why.

Features

ECO-WORTHY 25W solar PV panels come equipped with a connector kit and a waterproof charge controller. The controller comes with a long cable and features two indicator lights so you can monitor power output and know when the device is charging or discharging.

Aside from being easy to use, these solar panels are also easy to install. They weigh only 1.95kg and the durable aluminium frame has pre-drilled mounting holes. 24-hour tech support is provided by the company so you can buy with confidence.

Keep in mind, the 25W solar panels do not come with fixing brackets included needed for installation. Also, according to consumer reviews, they may not reach the full potential power output, even when exposed to optimal sun conditions.

Dimensions: 42.9 x 33.6 x 3cm

10. ECO-WORTHY 200W Kit (Luxury Choice)

The ECO-WORTHY 200W Kit is the top luxury choice on our best solar panels list. These monocrystalline solar panels come as a complete kit with mounting brackets, an LCD charge controller, and a solar cable so it’s ready for use straight out of the box.

Features

The ECO-WORTHY 12-volt system kit comes with two 100 watt solar panels and all of the accessories needed to get your system up and running. The size of these solar panels makes them ideal for the top of a camper van, RV, or boat. The solar panels are made with a durable aluminium frame with pre-drilled mounting holes for easier installation.

The included 20A LCD charge controller features a real-time display and is equipped with multiple protections, including short-circuiting protection, over-load protection, lighting protection, reverse polarity protection, and under-voltage protection. ECO-WORTHY solar panels have 24-hour tech support to give you peace of mind.

Unfortunately, some consumers report their kit arrives missing parts and in poor packaging but customer service should remedy any issues promptly.

Solar Panels on the Market Today: A Buyer’s Guide

Now that you have read through our list of some of the most efficient solar panels UK stores have to offer, let’s explore some of the reasons we chose the solar panels we did and what makes particular models stand out amongst the crowd so you can make a decision and start saving on your energy bills as soon as possible.

What to Look For in the Best Solar Panels

While solar panel manufacturers follow standard test conditions and are rather forthcoming with product information, we think it’s helpful to know which specific traits are most important, aside from the PV cells themselves. The following traits helped us to narrow down the choices for our best-of list.

Efficiency

Solar panel efficiency is extra important for people with limited roof space on top of their homes or for anyone with limited or less than ideal sun exposure. The module efficiency is greatly affected by exposure conditions. The higher the efficiency rating, the better solar panel efficiency will be.

All of the options on our list feature decent to high solar panel efficiency.

Temperature Coefficient

The temperature coefficient assigned to solar panels also describes how well they work in shady areas or extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. If you exceed the temperature coefficient range, they will not perform as expected. Therefore, the temperature coefficient of a solar panel is more important when it comes to functionality in particularly hot or cold climates. Make sure to look for the temperature coefficient associated with panels if you expect to be using them in the climate conditions described above.

Accessories

Many, but not all solar panels come with added accessories and bonus port capability. Common accessories included with solar panels include connection cables which vary greatly in length, a charge controller to regulate energy and protect against power surges, and mounting brackets.

Some solar panels, a few of which are concluded on our list, also come with adapters like alligator clips so you can easily attach the panels to a car battery or USB ports so you can charge smaller devices like your phone or tablet.

Ease Of Use

Ideally, your solar panels should also be easy to use and easy to install. Considering the rapid growth in solar panel use, many people are beginners when it comes to using them. That’s why we aimed to pick beginner-friendly panels backed by a company with good customer service.

Installation ease is extra important if you plan on travelling with your solar panel system and will need to assemble and disassemble it frequently.

If installing solar panels just isn’t your thing, you can always opt to pay for a variety of professional installation services. For some, this may be well worth it but we specifically chose solar panels for our list that are easier to install so most people should not need help from professional installers.

Benefits of Solar Panels

Solar panels are an excellent way for you to lessen your energy bills. By harnessing the power of the sun with the best solar panels on the market today you can counterbalance some expenses associated with electricity bills for your home. Or, you can bring energy to remote areas while camping, boating, or any other type of off-grid adventure.

A smaller, portable style solar panel is also great for charging your phone, laptop or other devices on the go. They can even be used to jump-start a car if the battery drains.

Types of Solar Panels

There are three main types of solar panels: polycrystalline, monocrystalline, and thin film. All of the options on our best solar panels list feature monocrystalline cell technology but it helps to be aware of the complete range of solar PV systems on the market so you can make an informed decision for your energy needs.

Monocrystalline (Mono) Solar Cells

Monocrystalline panels are the ones most people are familiar with and have seen in and around their communities. Mono cells feature a uniform appearance. Mono cells are also easy to link into a PV system.

• Most efficient
• Less sustainable

Polycrystalline (Poly) Solar Cells

Poly cells are also common for homes. Poly cells have a broken appearance. Poly cells are recognizable by their blueish colour.

• Less efficient
• More sustainable

Thin Film Solar Cells

Just as the name suggests, thin film solar cells are thin and many are somewhat flexible. Considering their lower efficiency range, we chose to exclude these types of panels from our list.

• Most sustainable
• Least efficient

Which Solar Panel Works Best In Shade?

Considering all we have learned from our solar panel reviews, monocrystalline cell technology possesses the greatest efficiency range and will therefore perform the best in shade. However, even the best solar panel need some direct sunlight to work.

To maximise power output and efficiency potential, try to install your solar panels facing south, where they will get the most exposure to sunlight. Additionally, your solar panels should be installed or set up at an angle so that more of the surface is exposed for a longer amount of time.

Choosing the Right Solar Panel for Your Home

Not all panel manufacturers on the market today provide you with a range of results, so it can be tricky narrowing down the best solar panels. Choosing the best solar panel for your home or mobile roof should be easier than ever, thanks to our reviews and helpful buyer’s guide.

Our favourite choice is the Renogy 100W solar panel. These highly flexible solar panels are ideal for curved surfaces, as they can be bent up to 248 degrees. Extremely thin but durable, it can withstand strong wind of up to 2400 Pa and up to 5400 Pa limit for snow loads. At 1.81kg, they are also 70% lighter than most conventional panels, making them much easier to transport.

If the Renogy 100W solar panels aren’t the best choice for your roof or home, one of the other options on our list may be better suited to your specific needs. Whichever company you decide to go with, let us know what you think in the comments below.

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