Best solar panel for a portable power station in South Africa (2026, SA prices)

Prices checked 30 October 2026. Prices and stock change often – always confirm on the retailer's page before buying.

We have not tested these panels ourselves. This guide uses only the South African stores of EcoFlow (EcoFlow ZA) and Jackery (Jackery SA): their spec tables, prices and product descriptions on the date above. Where we work something out ourselves, such as rand per watt, charging times or bundle savings, we show the sum and say so.

Quick answer

Best for an EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max: EcoFlow 220W Lightweight panel (R5,799). It matches the RIVER 2 Max's 220 W solar input limit, plugs straight in with its built-in XT60 cable and has a 5-year warranty. Its open-circuit voltage is 21.4 V, well inside the RIVER 2 Max's 11–50 V range.
Best for an EcoFlow DELTA 2: EcoFlow 400W Lightweight panel (R8,499). The lowest rand per watt of any panel here (R21.25/W, our calculation), 39.3 V open-circuit voltage (inside the DELTA 2's 11–60 V range) and 400 W of the DELTA 2's 500 W solar input. It weighs about 10.2 kg.
Best for a Jackery Explorer 500: buy the R9,749 bundle with the 100W panel rather than the SolarSaga 100W panel on its own (R5,999). The bundle costs R3,249 less than buying both separately (our calculation, below).
Light backpacking or phone charging only: EcoFlow NextGen 60W (R1,799) or the 45W (R1,499), which have a USB-C output to charge devices directly.

Three things to check before you buy a panel

Your power station's solar input limit (watts). A bigger panel than the input limit gives no extra charging speed in full sun. For example, the RIVER 2 Max accepts up to 220 W, so a 400 W panel would not charge it faster at midday.
The voltage range. The panel's open-circuit voltage (Voc) must stay inside the power station's solar input voltage range. If you join panels in series, the voltages add up.
The connector. EcoFlow's lightweight panels have a built-in XT60 cable. Jackery's SolarSaga 100 is sold to pair with the Explorer 250 and 500, and the EvoCharge SUNMASTER panels sold by Jackery SA use MC4 with an adaptor cable (DC5521, DC7909, XT60 and Anderson).

Panel specifications and prices

Panel	Price (30 Oct 2026)	Rated power	Open-circuit voltage	Weight	Water rating	Warranty
EcoFlow 45W Portable (USB-C)	R1,499 (was R1,699)	45 W	Not listed	Not listed	IP68	Not listed
EcoFlow NextGen 60W Portable (USB-C)	R1,799 (was R1,899)	60 W	Not listed	Not listed	IP68	Not listed
EcoFlow 110W Lightweight	R3,599 (was R3,999)	110 W (STC), 122 W bifacial (BNPI)	23.5 V	3.3 kg ±0.3	IP68	5 years
EcoFlow 160W Lightweight	R4,299 (was R4,499)	160 W (STC), 177 W bifacial	21.4 V	3.8 kg ±0.3	IP68	5 years
EcoFlow 220W Lightweight	R5,799 (was R6,599)	220 W (STC), 243 W bifacial	21.4 V	5.1 kg ±0.3	IP68	5 years
EcoFlow 400W Lightweight	R8,499 (was R8,999)	400 W ±10	39.3 V	About 10.2 kg	IP68	5 years
Jackery SolarSaga 100W	R5,999	100 W peak	21.6 V	4 kg	Not waterproof (Jackery SA)	2 years
EvoCharge SUNMASTER 100 PRO (sold by Jackery SA)	R5,500	100 W	Not listed	“Under 4 kg”	IP67	2 years
EvoCharge SUNMASTER 200 PRO (sold by Jackery SA)	R8,499	200 W	Not listed	“Under 8 kg”	IP67	2 years

All panels listed as in stock on 30 October 2026. EcoFlow's lightweight panels use N-type TOPCon monocrystalline cells with a stated 25% efficiency; Jackery SA states 23% for the SolarSaga 100. STC is the standard test rating; EcoFlow also quotes a higher BNPI figure for its bifacial panels, which depends on light reaching the back of the panel.

Which panel fits which power station

Power station solar input limits are from EcoFlow ZA and Jackery SA, checked for our camping and overlanding guide on 29 October 2026.

Power station	Solar input limit	Panel that matches the limit
EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max	220 W, 11–50 V, 13 A	EcoFlow 220W Lightweight (21.4 V Voc, 12.2 A short-circuit current)
EcoFlow DELTA 2	500 W, 11–60 V, 15 A	EcoFlow 400W Lightweight (39.3 V Voc, 12.2 A short-circuit current)
Jackery Explorer 500	100 W, via the 12–30 V DC input	Jackery SolarSaga 100W (21.6 V Voc)
Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro	800 W, 2 inputs, 17.5–60 V	Jackery SA sells it bundled with a 200W panel; EvoCharge says two SUNMASTER 200 PRO panels charge it in 2.5 hours

One caution for EcoFlow owners who want to join two lightweight panels: EcoFlow ZA says extension cables and parallel/series connection accessories for its lightweight panels “will be available later in 2026”. Until then, one panel per power station is the simple option.

How long will solar charging take?

Panels rarely deliver their full rating all day. Jackery SA's own figures show the gap: it says the SolarSaga 100W charges the 518 Wh Explorer 500 in 7.5 to 8 hours of direct sun, while the ideal sum would be 518 Wh ÷ 100 W ≈ 5.2 hours. That means the panel averaged roughly 65 to 70% of its rating in Jackery's figure (our calculation).

Using that same 65% factor as a rough guide, here are our estimates of hours of good sun for a full charge from empty. They are not manufacturer claims or test results; cloud, panel angle, heat and shade all change them.

Hours ≈ battery capacity (Wh) ÷ (panel watts × 0.65)

Combination	Ideal (full rating)	Rough real-world estimate
RIVER 2 Max (512 Wh) + 220W panel	~2.3 h	~3.6 h
RIVER 2 Max (512 Wh) + 110W panel	~4.7 h	~7.2 h
DELTA 2 (1024 Wh) + 400W panel	~2.6 h	~3.9 h
DELTA 2 (1024 Wh) + 220W panel	~4.7 h	~7.2 h
Explorer 500 (518 Wh) + 100W panel	~5.2 h	7.5–8 h (Jackery SA's figure)

The practical takeaway: a 100 to 110 W panel needs most of a sunny day to refill a ~500 Wh unit, so if you rely on solar during long load-shedding stretches or a camping trip, size up to the biggest panel your power station accepts.

Rand per watt

Our calculation from the listed prices and rated power (STC):

EcoFlow 400W: R8,499 ÷ 400 ≈ R21.25/W · EcoFlow 220W: R5,799 ÷ 220 ≈ R26.36/W · EcoFlow 160W: R4,299 ÷ 160 ≈ R26.87/W · EcoFlow 60W: R29.98/W · EcoFlow 110W: R32.72/W · EcoFlow 45W: R33.31/W · SUNMASTER 200 PRO: R42.50/W · SUNMASTER 100 PRO: R55.00/W · SolarSaga 100W: R59.99/W

Is a bundle cheaper than buying separately?

Our calculation, comparing EcoFlow ZA and Jackery SA bundle prices with the separate prices on 30 October 2026. Usually yes, but not always:

Bundle	Bundle price	Bought separately	Difference
RIVER 2 Max + 110W	R10,099	R6,599 + R3,599 = R10,198	Bundle saves R99
RIVER 2 Max + 160W	R10,599	R6,599 + R4,299 = R10,898	Bundle saves R299
RIVER 2 Max + 220W	R12,599	R6,599 + R5,799 = R12,398	Bundle costs R201 more
DELTA 2 + 110W	R19,499	R16,499 + R3,599 = R20,098	Bundle saves R599
DELTA 2 + 160W	R19,999	R16,499 + R4,299 = R20,798	Bundle saves R799
DELTA 2 + 220W	R21,999	R16,499 + R5,799 = R22,298	Bundle saves R299
Jackery Explorer 500 + 100W	R9,749	R6,999 + R5,999 (SolarSaga 100W) = R12,998	Bundle saves R3,249
Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro + 200W	R22,999	Station alone R17,999	The panel works out at R5,000 in the bundle

So with a RIVER 2 Max and a 220 W panel, buy the two separately on today's prices. Jackery SA's listing does not name which 200 W panel is in the Explorer 1000 Pro bundle, so check before you buy.

EcoFlow 220W Lightweight – best for the RIVER 2 Max

220 W (STC) bifacial panel with N-type TOPCon cells, stated 25% efficiency, 21.4 V open-circuit voltage (18.8 V at maximum power), 12.2 A short-circuit current, IP68, a built-in 2.5 m XT60 cable, a 30–60° adjustable stand with a built-in angle guide, 5.1 kg and 2270 × 598 mm unfolded (603 × 598 × 36 mm folded), according to EcoFlow ZA. Warranty: 5 years.

Price: R5,799 at EcoFlow ZA (was R6,599; checked 30 Oct 2026).

Check price at EcoFlow ZA

EcoFlow 400W Lightweight – best for the DELTA 2

400 W (±10 W) bifacial panel, N-type TOPCon cells, stated 25% efficiency, 39.3 V open-circuit voltage (34.5 V at maximum power), 12.2 A short-circuit current, IP68, a built-in 3.5 m XT60 cable and the same 30–60° stand, about 10.2 kg and 2509 × 967 mm unfolded (659 × 967 × 36 mm folded), according to EcoFlow ZA. Warranty: 5 years. At 400 W it is well beyond the RIVER 2 Max's 220 W solar input limit, so it suits the DELTA range rather than the RIVER 2 Max.

Price: R8,499 at EcoFlow ZA (was R8,999; checked 30 Oct 2026).

Check price at EcoFlow ZA

EcoFlow 110W and 160W Lightweight – smaller and lighter

The 110W (3.3 kg, 23.5 V Voc, folds to 544 × 413 mm) and 160W (3.8 kg, 21.4 V Voc, folds to 609 × 598 mm) share the same TOPCon cells, IP68 rating, 2.5 m XT60 cable, adjustable stand and 5-year warranty, according to EcoFlow ZA. The 160W costs R700 more than the 110W for 50 W more output and only 0.5 kg more weight, which makes it the better buy of the two on paper.

Prices: 110W R3,599 (was R3,999), 160W R4,299 (was R4,499) at EcoFlow ZA, checked 30 Oct 2026.

Check the 160W at EcoFlow ZA

Jackery SolarSaga 100W – for the Explorer 250 and 500

100 W peak, stated 23% cell efficiency, 18 V / 5.55 A at maximum power, 21.6 V open-circuit voltage, a USB-A (5 V, 2.4 A) and a USB-C (5 V, 3 A) output, 4 kg, 122 × 53 cm unfolded and an operating range of −10 to 65 °C, according to Jackery SA. Jackery SA says it charges the Explorer 250 in 4 hours and the Explorer 500 in 7.5 to 8 hours of direct sun. Note that Jackery SA's FAQ says the panel is not waterproof and should not get wet. Warranty: 2 years.

Price: R5,999 on its own at Jackery SA, or R9,749 bundled with an Explorer 500 (checked 30 Oct 2026).

Check the Explorer 500 bundle at Jackery SA

EvoCharge SUNMASTER 100 PRO and 200 PRO – waterproof alternatives

Jackery SA also sells EvoCharge's SUNMASTER panels. It describes both as monocrystalline with an ETFE coating and an IP67 waterproof rating, with an MC4 connector plus an adaptor cable for DC5521, DC7909, XT60 and Anderson PP45 connectors, so they can also charge non-Jackery power stations. The 100 PRO is “under 4 kg” and 3 cm thick folded; the 200 PRO is “under 8 kg”, 4 cm thick folded, and comes with a carry bag and ground pegs. The listings do not give open-circuit voltage, so check it against your power station's input range before buying. Warranty: 2 years.

Prices: SUNMASTER 100 PRO R5,500, SUNMASTER 200 PRO R8,499 at Jackery SA (checked 30 Oct 2026).

Check the SUNMASTER 200 PRO at Jackery SA

Worth knowing

Several EcoFlow NextGen panels (160W and 220W, monofacial and bifacial) and the 100W Rigid panel were listed but marked sold out at EcoFlow ZA on 30 October 2026, so we left them out.
EcoFlow ZA also lists a 400W Rigid panel at R8,000 (21.8 kg), but it is meant for fixed mounting and the listing's description of what is in the box is unclear, so we have not compared it here.
Gizzu's South African store did not return any solar panels when we searched it today, and we could not load Takealot's pages to check prices, so we are not quoting either.

Verdict

Match the panel to your power station's solar input limit. For a RIVER 2 Max, the EcoFlow 220W Lightweight (R5,799) fills its 220 W input, and on today's prices it is cheaper to buy separately than in the bundle. For a DELTA 2, the EcoFlow 400W Lightweight (R8,499) gives the most watts per rand of any panel here. For a Jackery Explorer 500, the R9,749 bundle with a 100 W panel is by far the cheapest way in. If you need a panel that can get wet, choose an IP68 EcoFlow panel or an IP67 SUNMASTER, not the SolarSaga.

Safety notes

Never exceed your power station's maximum solar input voltage; check the panel's open-circuit voltage, and add the voltages if you connect panels in series.
Keep the power station itself in the shade while the panel sits in the sun.
Secure folding panels in wind – the larger panels act like sails.