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Small solar panels (Top 6 mini solar panels)

Kyle Browning

Climatebiz Founder

August 31, 2023

Solar panels come in all shapes and sizes. They can range from small, 1.1w portable modules to much larger 500W, 72-cell panels for commercial solar arrays.

Small solar panels are particularly beneficial for digital nomads who are constantly on the move and only require small amounts of power to recharge their essential electronic devices.

Currently, there are plenty of mini solar panels on the market. Some are worth your hard-earned cash, while others are best left alone.

In this article, look at the technology behind small solar panels and explain why they make the best travel companions for digital nomads.

Additionally, we provide a cost breakdown and a buyer’s guide, which will point you toward the best value-for-money mini solar panel.

What are small solar panels?

Small solar panels are devices made up of a collection of solar cells.

They differ from traditional 60-72-cell solar panels in that they’re much smaller and produce far less electricity.

Because of their small size, mini solar panels are best for off-grid activities or applications, such as on a camping trip or for those requiring a more portable energy source (solar power bank).

Note to our readers: If your aim is to offset your home’s energy use, then small solar panels will not work. You’ll be better off purchasing larger, 200W to 400W solar panels.

Although mini solar panels are smaller in size, they still operate according to the same principle — they use the photovoltaic effect to produce electricity.

Take a moment to thank Edmond Becquerel, who first discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839 when experimenting with wet cells.

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6 Best Small Solar Panels

Here is a list of the 6 best small solar panels you’ll find in 2024. Ratings are based on:

• Design quality.
• Solar cell efficiency.
• Customer feedback.

1. Solperk 20W solar panel kit (20W)

Wattage	20 W
Max. voltage	18 V
Weight	3 lbs
Dimensions	14.6 x 13.2 x 0.7 inch
Cell type	Monocrystalline
Warranty	12 months

2. ECO WORTHY (10W)

Wattage	20 W
Max. voltage	12 V
Weight	‎1.8 lbs
Dimensions	13.8 x 8.6 x 1.3 inch
Cell type	Monocrystalline
Warranty	5-year material and workmanship

3. Topsolar Solar Panel Kit (10W)

Wattage	10 W
Max. voltage	12 V
Weight	2.75 lbs
Dimensions	13.19 x 8.15 x 0.67 inch
Cell type	Monocrystalline
Warranty	12 months

4. SUNER POWER (30W)

Wattage	30 W
Max. voltage	12 V
Weight	6.09 lbs
Dimensions	24 x 13.8 x 0.7 inch
Cell type	Monocrystalline
Warranty	12 months

5. Newpowa (50W)

Wattage	50 W
Max. voltage	12 V
Weight	‎8.83 lbs
Dimensions	29.13 x 14.37 x 1.18 inch
Cell type	Monocrystalline
Warranty	2-year limited material and workmanship

6. Renogy (50W)

Wattage	50 W
Max. voltage	12 V
Weight	7.72 lb
Dimensions	22.9 x 20.0 x 1.18 in
Cell type	Monocrystalline
ranty	3 years

Small solar panels: prices

The following table lists the above brands and their products prices.

Note to our readers: These prices are pulled from Amazon and thus subject to price fluctuations. Additionally, all solar panel prices listed here are for monocrystalline solar panels.

What is the smallest solar panel?

According to the Oxford dictionary, “a solar panel is designed to absorb the sun’s rays as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating.“

Believe it or not, the smallest solar panel in the world has been sitting in the hands of children long before people knew this technology had any possibility of changing the world.

One of the first and smallest solar panels to hit the market commercially was integrated into the Sharp EL-8026m. This was the calculator nicknamed Sun Man.

The calculator comprised a tiny mono-crystal S-225 silicon photovoltaic module with a cell conversion efficiency of 10.0%.

Some of the smallest solar panels found today are integrated into various portable gadgets like the one installed in the popular Garmin Instinct.

However, when you think of the term “small solar panels”, it’s unlikely that this watch comes to mind. I mean, the solar cells are so small — you can’t even see where they are.

No, generally small solar panels are thought of as miniaturized residential solar panels, like this one from Eco-Worthy.

How much electricity can a small solar panel produce?

The amount of electricity that a solar panel can produce largely depends on its size. As with all solar panels, they come in a range of different watt outputs. Most residential solar panels produce between 250-400 watts.

Small solar panels usually produce between 10-50 watts. The actual output, however, will depend on factors like shading, panel orientation, and sun hours.

Here’s an example:

A 10-watt solar panel will charge a 7ah battery at a charge rate of 0.6 amp. So with about 6 hours of sunlight, your small solar panel will add about 3.6 amp-hours into your 7ah battery. 3.6 amp-hours equates to about 43 watt-hours of energy.

30 Companies that make small solar panels

Below is a list of all the companies that sell solar panels in the 10W-50W range.

You can find companies all these companies on Amazon. Please note, companies are not listed in any particular order.

Will a small solar panel last forever?

Generally speaking, small solar panels last an average of 25–30 years. However, it’ is’s worth noting that these panels will not stop producing electricity after this time.

It just means that electricity production has decreased by what manufacturers consider to be a significant amount.

As long as your solar panels are not damaged by wind, hail, snow or debris, in theory, you could continue using your panels even after 30 years.

Solar panels rarely break from within — there are barely any moving parts that allow this to happen. The most common way a mini solar panel will break will be from outside forces or alternatively poor treatment on your part.

Tiny solar panel degradation rate

In 2012 a study carried out by the NREL found that, on average, solar panel power output decreases by about 0.8% every year.

The name given to this rate of decline is called solar panel degradation rate or SPDR. It’s important to keep in mind that the SPDR largely depends on the manufacturer and what sort of quality their solar panels are.

For example, the company SunPower offers solar panels with degradation rates as low as 0.3% every year.

As the solar industry becomes more advanced and the technology improves, solar panel degradation rates continue to drop every year. Degradation rates below 1% are fairly common in today’s solar industry.

What does panel degradation mean?

When you purchase a new solar panel, its output sits at 100%. After using the panel for a year with a degradation rate of 0.8%, your solar panel will operate at 99.2 percent of its original output. By the end of its 25-year life span, it will be operating at 82.5% efficiency.

Most small solar panels should always come with a few warranties. Manufacturers will provide you with two such warranties: equipment warranty and solar panel life span warranty.

The equipment warranty is there to certify your panel against any manufacturing defects that become exposed after use. Additionally, you will also be supplied with a performance warranty which guarantees your panels will produce a certain amount of electricity.

A good way of understanding your equipment’s quality is by looking at the performance warranty. Most manufacturers supply an equipment warranty that should last at least 25 years. Anything less and you get a sense of the quality of your solar panel.

Can You Make Your Mini Solar Panels Last Longer?

Tiny solar panels are extremely durable pieces of technology. The majority of manufacturers do indeed confirm that their products can withstand strong winds and heavy snow loads. They are also specifically tested to ensure that they can withstand hail storms.

The best way to ensure that your mini solar panel lasts long is to look after it. Do not throw it around and ensure that you keep it relatively clean for maximum power output.

Keeping your solar panel well maintained can lead to a lower solar panel degradation rate.

What About My Small Solar Panels Carbon Footprint?

It is unnecessary that you worry about your mini solar panels’ carbon footprint. The 25 to 30-year lifespan is a fair bit longer than its energy payback time (EPBT).

EBPT is the total amount of time it takes for your solar panel to produce enough clean energy on its own to make up for the Co2 that was emitted to manufacture the product in the first place.

Incredibly, a 2010 study has shown that the EPBT of a solar panel is just 6 months. A number you can be guaranteed has fallen since solar technology has greatly improved.

Final thoughts

Small solar panels come in handy for many off-grid applications that require enhanced portability. They are a small, lightweight, and generally cost-efficient source of clean energy.

From solar watches to solar-powered generators, mini solar panels are taking our world by storm and are no doubt the future of sustainably sourced gadgets.

Let us know about the smallest solar panel you have come across, in the comment section below!