Divide the station’s watt-hours by the solar watts it can take, then multiply by 1.2 for real-world losses, as Anker SOLIX does. The watts it can take are the panels’ rating or the station’s maximum solar input, whichever is lower.
Power station
Use the watts on each panel’s label. For two or more panels, type a sum, such as 200 + 200.
Solar charge time
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Each station’s solar input limit
Adding panels speeds up charging only until the station’s maximum solar input is reached. Anker SOLIX’s example is 800 W of panels on a station with a 600 W limit, which still charges at no more than 600 W.
| Station | Capacity | Max solar input | Maker’s charge time at that input |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anker SOLIX C300 DC | 288 Wh | 100 W | Not given |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 | 1,024 Wh | 500 W | 2 hours (EcoFlow) |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 | 1,056 Wh | 600 W | About 2.1 hours (Anker SOLIX) |
| BLUETTI AC180 | 1,152 Wh | 500 W | 2.8 to 3.3 hours (BLUETTI) |
| Anker SOLIX S2000 | 2,010 Wh | 400 W | About 6.0 hours (Anker SOLIX) |
| Anker SOLIX F3000 | 3,072 Wh | 2,400 W | About 1.5 hours (Anker SOLIX) |
Anker SOLIX’s times include its 1.2 factor. EcoFlow’s come from its internal testing.
Panels give less than their rating
Jackery says solar panels don’t produce 100% of their rated output, and counts a panel giving 75 to 85% of its rating as highly efficient. Anker SOLIX adds that panels lose efficiency as their surface heats up.
Watch the input watts on the station’s screen or app while it charges. A drop there shows shade, cloud or a panel that needs turning toward the sun.
Peak sun hours
Anker SOLIX says to plan by peak sun hours, not hours of daylight. It puts many U.S. regions at roughly 4 to 6 a day across the year, Arizona at 6.5 or more, and the Pacific Northwest closer to 3.5 to 4.
Before you connect panels
Check that the panels’ combined voltage and current stay inside the solar input ranges in the station’s manual. Charge the station only inside its charging temperature range: for the Anker SOLIX C1000, 32 to 104 °F.
To work out what size station a camping trip needs, see what size power station for camping.