Best Solar Panels for the Jackery Explorer 500

We tested 20 solar panels against the Explorer 500's 12–30V MPPT range and 112.5W input limit.

112.5W max input MPPT 12–30V DC7909 518.4Wh

Jackery Explorer 500 portable power station

Our Picks

Best Match

Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel

100W delivered 7.4h charge

Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel delivers 100W to the Explorer 500 with 0% loss — no adapter needed, full MPPT alignment.

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Fastest Charge

Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel

113W delivered 6.6h charge Adapter needed

Charges the Explorer 500 (518.4Wh) in ~6.6 hours (real-world estimate at 70% derate). Charging is capped at 113W.

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Most Compact

Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase Solar Panel

100W delivered 7.4h charge Adapter needed

At 100W, the Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase Solar Panel is the smallest compatible panel for the Explorer 500 — easier to transport and store.

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518.4Wh · 500W continuous · 112.5W solar input

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All 20 Panels Compared

Panel	Watts	Status	Delivered	Charge Time	Efficiency	Adapter
EcoFlow 110W Solar Panel Vmp 18.5V · Voc 21.7V	110W	Compatible	110W	6.7h	100%	MC4 -> DC7909
Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase Solar Panel Vmp 17.2V · Voc 21.5V	100W	Compatible	100W	7.4h	100%	Goal Zero proprietary -> Jackery proprietary adapter required
Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel Vmp 20V · Voc 24.8V	100W	Compatible	100W	7.4h	100%	—
Renogy 100W Flexible Solar Panel Vmp 20.7V · Voc 24.4V	100W	Compatible	100W	7.4h	100%	Renogy proprietary -> Jackery proprietary adapter required
Rich Solar MEGA 100 Portable Briefcase Solar Panel Vmp 18.6V · Voc 22.8V	100W	Compatible	100W	7.4h	100%	MC4 -> DC7909
Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel Vmp 19.6V · Voc 24.4V	120W	Limited	113W	6.6h	94%	MC4 -> DC7909
EcoFlow NextGen 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel Vmp 18.4V · Voc 21.5V	220W	Limited	113W	6.6h	51%	MC4 -> DC7909
EcoFlow NextGen 160W Solar Panel Vmp 18.6V · Voc 21.3V	160W	Limited	113W	6.6h	70%	MC4 -> DC7909
Goal Zero Nomad 200 Solar Panel Vmp 19.1V · Voc 23V	200W	Limited	113W	6.6h	56%	Goal Zero proprietary -> Jackery proprietary adapter required
Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel Vmp 20V · Voc 24.8V	200W	Limited	113W	6.6h	56%	—
Renogy 200W Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase Vmp 20.4V · Voc 24.3V	200W	Limited	113W	6.6h	56%	MC4 -> DC7909
Renogy E.FLEX 200W Portable Solar Panel Vmp 20.3V · Voc 23.9V	200W	Limited	113W	6.6h	56%	MC4 -> DC7909
Anker SOLIX PS100 Portable Solar Panel (100W) Vmp 24.5V · Voc 28.5V	100W	Over-Voltage Danger	—	—	—	—
Anker SOLIX PS400 Portable Solar Panel (400W) Vmp 48V · Voc 60V	400W	Over-Voltage Danger	—	—	—	—
Bluetti PV200 Solar Panel Vmp 20.5V · Voc 26.1V	200W	Over-Voltage Danger	—	—	—	—
Bluetti PV350 Solar Panel Vmp 37.5V · Voc 46.5V	350W	Over-Voltage Danger	—	—	—	—
BougeRV Yuma 200W CIGS Thin-Film Flexible Solar Panel Vmp 24V · Voc 30.4V	200W	Over-Voltage Danger	—	—	—	—
EcoFlow 400W Portable Solar Panel Vmp 41V · Voc 48V	400W	Over-Voltage Danger	—	—	—	—
EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel Vmp 31V · Voc 37.1V	400W	Over-Voltage Danger	—	—	—	—
Jackery SolarSaga 80W Solar Panel Vmp 22V · Voc 28.5V	80W	Over-Voltage Danger	—	—	—	—

Panel Details

Compatible EcoFlow 110W Solar Panel 110W

Voc

21.7V

Vmp

18.5V

Isc

6.3A

Imp

Cold Voc: 21.7 x 1.2 = 26.0V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 18.5V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 6A (within 7A limit)

Warnings:

- Adapter required: MC4 -> DC7909.

Source: EcoFlow 110W Solar Panel - Official Product Page

Compatible Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase Solar Panel 100W

Voc

21.5V

Vmp

17.2V

Isc

N/A

Imp

5.81A

Cold Voc: 21.5 x 1.2 = 25.8V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 17.2V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 5.81A (within 7A limit)

Warnings:

- Adapter required: Goal Zero proprietary -> Jackery proprietary adapter required.

Source: Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase — Official Product Page

Compatible Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel 100W

Voc

24.8V

Vmp

20V

Isc

5.4A

Imp

Cold Voc: 24.8 x 1.2 = 29.8V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 20V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 5A (within 7A limit)

Source: Jackery Solar Panels Guide (SolarSaga 100W specs)

Compatible Renogy 100W Flexible Solar Panel 100W

Voc

24.4V

Vmp

20.7V

Isc

5.16A

Imp

4.84A

Cold Voc: 24.4 x 1.2 = 29.3V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 20.7V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 4.84A (within 7A limit)

Warnings:

- Adapter required: Renogy proprietary -> Jackery proprietary adapter required.

Source: Renogy 100W Flexible Solar Panel - Official Product Page

Compatible Rich Solar MEGA 100 Portable Briefcase Solar Panel 100W

Voc

22.8V

Vmp

18.6V

Isc

5.78A

Imp

5.38A

Cold Voc: 22.8 x 1.2 = 27.4V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 18.6V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 5.38A (within 7A limit)

Warnings:

- Adapter required: MC4 -> DC7909.

Source: Rich Solar MEGA 100 Portable Briefcase Solar Panel Datasheet (RS-X100B)

Limited Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel 120W

Voc

24.4V

Vmp

19.6V

Isc

6.43A

Imp

6.1A

Cold Voc: 24.4 x 1.2 = 29.3V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 19.6V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 6.1A (within 7A limit)

Warnings:

- Capped at port max 112.5W.

- Adapter required: MC4 -> DC7909.

Source: BLUETTI PV120 Solar Panel - Official Product Page

Limited EcoFlow NextGen 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel 220W

Voc

21.5V

Vmp

18.4V

Isc

12.4A

Imp

11.9A

Cold Voc: 21.5 x 1.2 = 25.8V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 18.4V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 11.9A (clamped to 7A — 41% loss)

Warnings:

- Charging capped at 7A.

- Adapter required: MC4 -> DC7909.

Source: EcoFlow NextGen 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel - US Product Page

Limited EcoFlow NextGen 160W Solar Panel 160W

Voc

21.3V

Vmp

18.6V

Isc

9.1A

Imp

8.6A

Cold Voc: 21.3 x 1.2 = 25.6V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 18.6V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 8.6A (clamped to 7A — 19% loss)

Warnings:

- Charging capped at 7A.

- Adapter required: MC4 -> DC7909.

Source: EcoFlow NextGen 160W Solar Panel - Official Product Page

Limited Goal Zero Nomad 200 Solar Panel 200W

Voc

23V

Vmp

19.1V

Isc

N/A

Imp

10.47A

Cold Voc: 23 x 1.2 = 27.6V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 19.1V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 10.47A (clamped to 7A — 33% loss)

Warnings:

- Charging capped at 7A.

- Adapter required: Goal Zero proprietary -> Jackery proprietary adapter required.

Source: Goal Zero Nomad 200 Solar Panel — Official Product Page

Limited Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel 200W

Voc

24.8V

Vmp

20V

Isc

11.2A

Imp

10A

Cold Voc: 24.8 x 1.2 = 29.8V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 20V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 10A (clamped to 7A — 30% loss)

Warnings:

- Charging capped at 7A.

Source: Jackery Solar Panels Guide (SolarSaga 200W specs)

Limited Renogy 200W Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase 200W

Voc

24.3V

Vmp

20.4V

Isc

10.42A

Imp

9.82A

Cold Voc: 24.3 x 1.2 = 29.2V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 20.4V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 9.82A (clamped to 7A — 29% loss)

Warnings:

- Charging capped at 7A.

- Adapter required: MC4 -> DC7909.

Source: Renogy 100W/200W Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase with Voyager User Manual (RNG-KIT-STCS200D-VOY20, Version A0)

Limited Renogy E.FLEX 200W Portable Solar Panel 200W

Voc

23.9V

Vmp

20.3V

Isc

10.49A

Imp

9.86A

Cold Voc: 23.9 x 1.2 = 28.7V (under 30V limit)

MPPT: 20.3V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 9.86A (clamped to 7A — 29% loss)

Warnings:

- Charging capped at 7A.

- Adapter required: MC4 -> DC7909.

Source: Renogy E.FLEX 200W Portable Solar Panel - Product Page

Over-Voltage Danger Anker SOLIX PS100 Portable Solar Panel (100W) 100W

Voc

28.5V

Vmp

24.5V

Isc

N/A

Imp

4.1A

Cold Voc: 28.5 x 1.2 = 34.2V (exceeds 30V limit)

MPPT: 24.5V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 4.1A (within 7A limit)

Warnings:

- Cold Voc margin exceeds generator max (34.2V > 30V).

Source: Anker SOLIX PS100 Portable Solar Panel User Guide (A2434)

Over-Voltage Danger Anker SOLIX PS400 Portable Solar Panel (400W) 400W

Voc

60V

Vmp

48V

Isc

N/A

Imp

8.33A

Cold Voc: 60 x 1.2 = 72.0V (exceeds 30V limit)

MPPT: 48V (outside 12–30V range)

Current: 8.33A (clamped to 7A — 16% loss)

Warnings:

- Cold Voc margin exceeds generator max (72.0V > 30V).

Source: Anker Support — Specifications of A2433 Anker SOLIX PS400 Portable Solar Panel

Over-Voltage Danger Bluetti PV200 Solar Panel 200W

Voc

26.1V

Vmp

20.5V

Isc

10.3A

Imp

9.7A

Cold Voc: 26.1 x 1.2 = 31.3V (exceeds 30V limit)

MPPT: 20.5V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 9.7A (clamped to 7A — 28% loss)

Warnings:

- Cold Voc margin exceeds generator max (31.3V > 30V).

Source: BLUETTI PV200 Solar Panel - Official Product Page

Over-Voltage Danger Bluetti PV350 Solar Panel 350W

Voc

46.5V

Vmp

37.5V

Isc

10.8A

Imp

9.2A

Cold Voc: 46.5 x 1.2 = 55.8V (exceeds 30V limit)

MPPT: 37.5V (outside 12–30V range)

Current: 9.2A (clamped to 7A — 24% loss)

Warnings:

- Cold Voc margin exceeds generator max (55.8V > 30V).

Source: BLUETTI PV350 Solar Panel - Official Product Page

Over-Voltage Danger BougeRV Yuma 200W CIGS Thin-Film Flexible Solar Panel 200W

Voc

30.4V

Vmp

24V

Isc

9.48A

Imp

8.52A

Cold Voc: 30.4 x 1.2 = 36.5V (exceeds 30V limit)

MPPT: 24V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 8.52A (clamped to 7A — 18% loss)

Warnings:

- Cold Voc margin exceeds generator max (36.5V > 30V).

Source: BougeRV CIGS Thin-film Solar Panel User Manual — Yuma200 Electrical Parameters (p.12)

Over-Voltage Danger EcoFlow 400W Portable Solar Panel 400W

Voc

48V

Vmp

41V

Isc

11A

Imp

9.8A

Cold Voc: 48 x 1.2 = 57.6V (exceeds 30V limit)

MPPT: 41V (outside 12–30V range)

Current: 9.8A (clamped to 7A — 29% loss)

Warnings:

- Cold Voc margin exceeds generator max (57.6V > 30V).

Source: EcoFlow 400W Portable Solar Panel User Manual V1.0

Over-Voltage Danger EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel 400W

Voc

37.1V

Vmp

31V

Isc

13.79A

Imp

12.9A

Cold Voc: 37.1 x 1.2 = 44.5V (exceeds 30V limit)

MPPT: 31V (outside 12–30V range)

Current: 12.9A (clamped to 7A — 46% loss)

Warnings:

- Cold Voc margin exceeds generator max (44.5V > 30V).

Source: EcoFlow 400W Rigid Solar Panel - US Product Page

Over-Voltage Danger Jackery SolarSaga 80W Solar Panel 80W

Voc

28.5V

Vmp

22V

Isc

3.71A

Imp

3.64A

Cold Voc: 28.5 x 1.2 = 34.2V (exceeds 30V limit)

MPPT: 22V (within 12–30V range)

Current: 3.64A (within 7A limit)

Warnings:

- Cold Voc margin exceeds generator max (34.2V > 30V).

Source: Jackery SolarSaga 80 User Guide (JS-80A, Jackery-UM-002)

Understanding Solar Compatibility with the Explorer 500

MPPT Range & Why It Matters

The Explorer 500 accepts solar input between 12V and 30V (MPPT range). Panels with Vmp below 12V won't start charging — the MPPT controller can't lock on. Panels with Vmp above 30V may damage the input circuit.

Cold Weather Voltage Safety

We apply a 1.2x safety margin to each panel's open-circuit voltage (Voc) to account for cold temperatures, when solar cells produce higher voltage. The Explorer 500's maximum input voltage is 30V. Any panel whose Voc x 1.2 exceeds 30V is flagged as a voltage danger. 12 of 20 panels pass this safety check.

Cables & Adapters for the Explorer 500

The Explorer 500 uses a DC7909 solar input connector. DC7909 is a barrel connector used by some Jackery models. An MC4-to-DC7909 adapter may be needed for third-party panels. 10 of 20 panels require an adapter with this unit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any solar panel with the Jackery Explorer 500?

No. The Explorer 500 requires panels with Vmp between 12V and 30V, and cold-weather Voc (Voc x 1.2) under 30V. Of the 20 panels we tested, 5 are fully compatible, 7 work with limitations, and 8 are incompatible.

How long does it take to charge the Explorer 500 with solar?

With the fastest compatible panel (Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel, 113W delivered), the Explorer 500 (518.4Wh) charges in approximately 6.6 hours under real-world conditions (70% derate for angle, clouds, and temperature). The slowest compatible option (Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase Solar Panel) takes approximately 7.4 hours.

Do I need an adapter for solar charging the Explorer 500?

The Explorer 500 uses a DC7909 connector. 10 of 20 panels require an adapter. The remaining panels connect directly via DC7909.