Is a solar panel compatible with your power station?
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The short answer: check four things on the power station's spec sheet against the panel's label: the input voltage range, the current limit, the maximum solar input in watts and the connector. Voltage is the one that matters most for safety, because panels wired in series add their voltages, and a panel's open-circuit voltage (Voc) is highest in cold weather (Deye).
Compared on manufacturers' published specs. Ferncharge has not tested these products. Estimates only.
Work out a charging time in the solar calculator: it checks your panels' watts against the power station's limit, and their Voc against its voltage range.
What each power station accepts
Solar input as stated (alphabetical, from makers' UK pages and guides):
| Model | Stated voltage range | Stated current | Stated max solar input | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anker SOLIX C1000 | 11–32 V, or 32–60 V (Anker UK user guide) | 10 A (11–32 V) or 12.5 A (32–60 V) | 600 W | 21 Oct 2026 |
| BLUETTI AC180 | Voc 12–60 V DC (BLUETTI UK) | 10 A | 500 W | 21 Oct 2026 |
| EcoFlow RIVER 3 | 11–30 V (EcoFlow UK) | 8 A | 110 W | 21 Oct 2026 |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | Two DC inputs: 12–16 V or 16–60 V (Jackery UK) | 8 A max (12–16 V) or 10.5 A max (16–60 V); doubles to 21 A with both ports | 400 W | 21 Oct 2026 |
This compares stated figures only. Check the manual for your model: it is the final word on what it accepts.
Check 1: voltage
Find the open-circuit voltage (Voc) on the panel's label or data sheet, then work out the voltage of your whole set-up:
- One panel: its Voc.
- Panels in series (positive to negative): the Voc values add up.
- Panels in parallel (positive to positive): the voltage stays at one panel's Voc.
That total must sit inside the power station's stated range. Too high can damage the input; too low and it may not charge.
Cold weather: a panel's Voc is quoted at standard test conditions. Deye, a solar inverter maker, says "Voc is highest when a module is cold and unloaded", and advises checking a string's Voc at the site's minimum temperature against the maximum input voltage, not at standard conditions (Deye). The panel's data sheet gives its temperature coefficient for Voc. In practice: don't plan a series set-up that sits right at the top of the range.
Check 2: current
Panels in parallel add their currents, so check the total against the stated current limit. Panels in series keep the current of one panel. If the total is above the limit, check the manual before connecting: it says what the input allows.
Check 3: watts
If your panels are rated above the power station's maximum solar input, the extra watts are wasted: the station takes no more than its limit. Our solar calculator uses the lower of the two figures and warns you when this happens.
Check 4: connector
Check the plug on the panel's cable against the power station's solar input. BLUETTI states that the AC180 uses MC4 connectors (BLUETTI UK). If they differ, use the maker's own adaptor cable. Some inputs are shared: Jackery says the Explorer 1000 v2 can't charge from solar and the car at the same time (Jackery UK).
Worked example
Illustrative figures: this is the example from our solar calculator, two 100 W panels each with a Voc of 24.4 V. Use your own panel's label.
| Set-up | Voltage | Watts | Within the stated voltage range of… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two panels in parallel | 24.4 V | 200 W | All four: Anker (11–32 V), BLUETTI (12–60 V), EcoFlow (11–30 V) and Jackery (16–60 V) |
| Two panels in series | 48.8 V | 200 W | Anker (32–60 V), BLUETTI and Jackery; above EcoFlow's 30 V |
On the watts check, 200 W is within Anker's 600 W, BLUETTI's 500 W and Jackery's 400 W, and above EcoFlow's 110 W: the RIVER 3 would take no more than 110 W. On the cold-weather check, the series figure of 48.8 V is the one to look at: leave headroom below 60 V and check the panel's temperature coefficient.
Safety
Keep panel cables tidy and clear of walkways, don't connect or disconnect under heavy load if the manual says not to, and follow both manuals. See our safety guide.
FAQs
How do I know if a solar panel will work with my power station?
Compare the panel's Voc (or the total for your series set-up) with the power station's voltage range, its current with the current limit, its watts with the maximum solar input, and its plug with the input connector.
Should I wire solar panels in series or parallel?
Whichever keeps the voltage and current inside the power station's stated limits. Series adds the voltages; parallel adds the currents. A power station with a low maximum voltage, such as EcoFlow's stated 30 V for the RIVER 3, rules out many series set-ups.
Will a bigger solar panel charge faster?
Only up to the power station's maximum solar input. Above that, the extra watts are wasted.
Why does cold weather matter?
A panel's open-circuit voltage is highest when it's cold, so a series set-up that fits on a mild day can exceed the input's maximum voltage on a cold, bright morning.
Related: Solar charging time · Recharging from your car · Power station for a campervan · Spec table
Sources
- Anker UK user guide: Solar Panel Input 11–32 V 10 A, or 32–60 V 12.5 A, 600 W max; checked 2026-10-21
- BLUETTI UK: "Solar Input: 500W Max., VOC 12-60VDC, 10A"; MC4 connectors; checked 2026-10-21
- EcoFlow UK: Solar Input 11–30 V, 8 A, 110 W; checked 2026-10-21
- Jackery UK: DC input 2 ports, 12–16 V 8 A max, 16–60 V 10.5 A max, double to 21 A/400 W max; solar and car charging can't run at the same time; checked 2026-10-21
- Deye, 17 Sep 2026: "Voc is highest when a module is cold and unloaded"; check string Voc at the minimum design temperature against the maximum DC input voltage; checked 2026-10-21