Ecoflow started in 2017 with the dream of making power accessible to everyone. It was from that dream that they designed and manufactured a power station that is durable, weather-resistant, and charges up to ten times faster than the average power station.
But what if you have no access to electricity to charge it? That is where the Ecoflow solar panels come in. With a super simple setup, you can bring Ecoflow anywhere you go and have it powered by just the sun.
Since its beginning, Ecoflow has created a wide range of power solutions for every user. From the smallest RIVER Mini to the massive DELTA Pro, there is an Ecoflow power station for everyone.
But what goes into the Ecoflow, and what makes it so special? Keep reading to find out.
What Solar Panels Are Compatible With Ecoflow?
Ecoflow sells its own line of solar panels that are built specifically to work with their portable power stations. In most cases, you will find that Ecoflow will recommend their own solar panels, as they have ensured, that there will be no compatibility issues between the power station and solar panels.
It also ensures that the solar panels are of the same quality as the Ecoflow power station.
However, you are not forced to use Ecoflow solar panels. You do have the option to use any solar panel you wish, thanks to the MPPT technology that is built right into the Ecoflow.
- 【Portable & Foldable】 The EcoFlow 160W solar panel is portable, foldable, and compact, weighing just 15.4lbs / 7kg. From...
- 【Intelligent Solar Power】 The EcoFLow 160W Solar Panel is designed to produce maximum power at any time of the day when...
- 【Waterproof & Durable】 The EcoFlow 160W Solar Panel is fully waterproof due to a seamless, one-piece design, making it...
Can You Use Any Solar Panel With Ecoflow River?
Yes. While Ecoflow does have its own line of solar panels, you are able to use any solar panel that you prefer.
The built-in MPPT technology makes it so that any solar panel can be used with Ecoflow. MPPT is a smart technology that helps to regulate the flow of power coming from the solar panels and will help preserve the life of your Ecoflow battery.
If you have the right cables for the job, you could even hook a few separate solar panels together to offer even more power to the Ecoflow power station.
See also: 5 Best Solar Panel Companies (Top Panels Compared)
Does Ecoflow Delta Come With Solar Panels?
When purchasing your Ecoflow from the Ecoflow website (or a trusted distributor), you have the option to either buy the Ecoflow separately or buy them with the solar panels as a bundle. If you already have an Ecoflow or want to upgrade your setup, you can also buy the solar panels separately.
The bundles come available in two different lines. You can either purchase a bundle from their DELTA line or the RIVER line.
With the DELTA line, the smallest option is their Ecoflow DELTA mini with a 110W solar panel. The DELTA mini is capable of 1400W regularly or 1800W in X-Boost mode. This means even the mini is capable of running power-hungry electronics like a hairdryer or power saw.
At the other end of the DELTA line is the Ecoflow DELTA Pro with 400W solar panels. Just one of these is capable of 3600W, which is capable of powering just about any electronic. If you need even more power, the DELTA Pro is capable of being set up in tandem so that you can reach a max capacity of 7200W.
- 【Portable & Foldable】 The EcoFlow 160W solar panel is portable, foldable, and compact, weighing just 15.4lbs / 7kg. From...
- 【Intelligent Solar Power】 The EcoFLow 160W Solar Panel is designed to produce maximum power at any time of the day when...
- 【Waterproof & Durable】 The EcoFlow 160W Solar Panel is fully waterproof due to a seamless, one-piece design, making it...
The RIVER line is a little more portable than the DELTA line. The smallest bundle offers the Ecoflow RIVER with a 110W solar panel. The RIVER is capable of up to 1800W, at 288Wh. This is a great option if you only need to power a few essentials.
The largest RIVER bundle includes an Ecoflow RIVER Pro with a 160W solar panel. The RIVER Pro has a capacity of 720 Wh, letting you power your devices for longer on just a single charge.
- Endless Solar Power. EcoFlow DELTA Max(2000) MPPT Controller guarantees full recharge with 160W solar panels with zero...
- Power Pretty Much Anything. 2400W output to power up to 15 devices at once. Power 3400W appliances with X-Boost on. That...
- Waterproof & Durable. EcoFlow 160W solar panel is waterproof to endure all weather conditions, ideal for outdoor activities...
Are Ecoflow Solar Panels Waterproof?
Most of the Ecoflow solar panels are waterproof, but not all.
Of the Ecoflow line, the 110W, 400W, 60W, and 220W solar panels boast up to an IP68 waterproof rating. Some solar panels may have slightly different ratings, so be sure to check the waterproof rating on the one you have to be sure.
The only one that isn’t fully waterproof is the 160W panel. Still, even without a water-tight construction, it still has a water-resistant rating of IP67. If you’re not planning to submerge it in water or hike through a flood, this is still a viable option. It will do just fine in a bit of rain without experiencing any issues.
How Do You Connect Solar Panels to Ecoflow?
It is very easy to connect solar panels to Ecoflow. For a basic setup with only one solar panel, all you need to do is connect the solar panel cable to the Ecoflow connection cable.
The connection cable is then plugged into the connection slot on the Ecoflow device.
Do note that unless you buy the Ecoflow bundle, the connection cables are often sold separately. If you are buying the solar panel separately from Ecoflow, you will need to remember to add the connection cable to your cart as well.
If you plan on connecting several solar panels, then you will need to ensure you have all those associated cables as well.
How Long Do Portable Power Stations Last?
The duration of a portable power station depends largely on the size of the battery, how old the battery is, and how many things you are trying to run at once.
A larger battery will let you run longer, as you will have more power stored away to be used at a moment’s notice. As a battery gets older, it will begin to lose some of the capacity it once had.
For this reason, a power station that may have once been able to run for 12 hours on a single charge might only last for eight several years later.
The number of things plugged in also affects the duration of your power station as different electronics need to draw different amounts of electricity to work.
A few lights or a phone charger may be able to last for days on a power station, while a power tool may only be able to run for a few hours.
Having solar panels equipped for the power station will also make a significant impact on the duration of the battery. As you use up electricity, the solar panels will constantly be harvesting power from the sun to replenish it.
For this reason, on a sunny day, you may find smaller electronics not affecting the power station at all until it gets dark. Larger electronics may still deplete the battery, but at a much slower rate than if you didn’t have solar panels at all.
The wattage of the solar panels will also make a significant difference.
In general, though, the average power station can last anywhere from 3 to 12 hours on a single charge.
For the lifespan of the Ecoflow, Ecoflow power stations are rated for a lifetime of 800 charges. After your Ecoflow has been charged 800 times, you will find that the battery capacity will be reduced to around 60% of what it once was.
If you don’t have high power needs, this may still be plenty for a while. Unfortunately, some users found that Ecoflow would lose its capacity after just 500 charges.
How Big Is Ecoflow 400 Watt Solar Panel?
When fully expanded, the 400W solar panel is 42 inches high and 94 inches wide. The entire panel is just barely an inch thick. When folded, the solar panel is a quarter of its original size.
All of the Ecoflow solar panels come in a foldable, portable design that makes it easy to bring them along to any campsite or hiking trail. The 400W panel is their largest by far.
The solar panel alone weighs about 35 lbs. When packed into the carrying case, the entire thing weighs about 41 lbs.
At this weight, it’s certainly not something you’ll be hauling up a mountain by foot, but it does make an excellent companion to a cabin or RV.
The reason for the extra weight of the case is that the carrying case doubles as a kickstand for the solar panel. This makes it easy to bring and set up solar panels anywhere that you want to be.
How Big Is Ecoflow 160w Solar Panel?
Fully expanded, the 160W solar panel is 26 inches tall and 61 inches wide. Folded, it gets down to 26 inches tall and 16 inches wide. This solar panel only weighs 11 lbs on its own and 15 lbs when it’s in the case.
The 160W solar panel is the middlemost panel in the Ecoflow family. Like the 400W solar panel, the 160W is able to fold up, making it easy to bring wherever you need it.
Like the 400W, the case doubles as a kickstand, making it easy to set up anywhere.
What Is an Ecoflow MPPT Solar Controller?
An MPPT charge controller is a smart device equipped in the Ecoflow power stations that help to regulate the charge coming from the solar panels.
When solar panels are working, they collect energy from the sun and turn it into electricity that can be stored by the power station.
The amount of energy being captured by the panels throughout the day can be inconsistent, as the time of day, temperature, and humidity can all affect how much power the solar panels can capture.
In older power stations, this inconsistent energy output would damage the life of the battery over time. The MPPT controller was made to solve this issue.
The MPPT controller monitors the power coming from the solar panels and feeds it into the battery at a consistent rate. This allows the battery to not only live longer but also charge faster.
The MPPT controller has the added benefit that you can use any solar panels you want with Ecoflow power stations, so long as you have the cables to hook everything together.
How Do You Hook Solar Panels Together?
It is just as easy to hook a single solar panel to the Ecoflow as it is to hook up multiple solar panels in tandem. For this, you will need a pair of parallel connection cables, which can be bought separately from Ecoflow.
When setting up a parallel system, first connect the positive cables of the solar panels together and the negative cables. These cables then need to be connected to the parallel connection cables. If you’re unsure how to lay out the cables, refer to the instruction manual.
Take the free ends of the parallel connection cables and plug them into the solar connection cable that will lead back to the power station. From here, all you need to do is plug the connection cable into the appropriate port on the power station itself.
How Much Does DELTA Ecoflow Cost?
The cost of the DELTA Ecoflow depends largely on what model you opt for. There are four models of the DELTA line: DELTA Mini, DELTA, DELTA Max, and DELTA pro.
The prices are as follows:
- [3 x AC Outlets And 720Wh Capacity]: The RIVER Pro as a generator can power up to 10 devices simultaneously with multiple...
- [Recharge From 0-80% Within 1 Hour]: The patented EcoFlow X-Stream technology enables you to charge the RIVER Pro from 0-80%...
- [Power A Wide Range Of Appliances]: With a built-in 600W inverter, the RIVER Pro can power some devices up to 1800W with the...
Alternatives Available
- Endless Solar Power. EcoFlow DELTA Max(2000) MPPT Controller guarantees full recharge with 160W solar panels with zero...
- Power Pretty Much Anything. 2400W output to power up to 15 devices at once. Power 3400W appliances with X-Boost on. That...
- Waterproof & Durable. EcoFlow 160W solar panel is waterproof to endure all weather conditions, ideal for outdoor activities...
- delta pro extra battery
Ecoflow also carries the RIVER line, which ranges from Around $400+ to $900.
Ecoflow Solar Panel FAQ
Where Is Ecoflow Manufactured?
Ecoflow is a US and Chinese-based company with two main offices. The headquarters and main office are located in San Francisco, California. The manufacturing facility is located in Shenzhen, China.
How Does Ecoflow Charge So Fast?
Ecoflow has a streamlined design that allows it to charge very quickly. The secret is thought to be the design of the inverter. With the way the Ecoflow plugs in, the power is passed directly through the inverter.
This has created charging speeds that are up to ten times faster than the average power station.
When it comes to charging with solar panels, Ecoflow also contains MPPT technology, which controls the rate of energy going into the batteries from the solar panels. With the MPPT controller, the batter will not only live longer, but it will also charge faster.
Is Ecoflow Waterproof?
While Ecoflow is not designed to be completely waterproof, the outer shell is designed to be water-resistant with a rating of IP54. So it’ll be fine in a bit of rain, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep it sheltered if any more than that.
