Intro:
If you just bought a solar generator, you probably noticed a painful truth: Branded solar panels are a rip-off.
Jackery and EcoFlow charge roughly $1.00 per watt for their folding panels. Meanwhile, reputable third-party brands like Renogy or HQST sell rigid panels for $0.40 per watt.
Yes, you can use them. You just need the right adapter and one math formula.
1. The “Golden Rule” of Solar Compatibility
You can plug ANY solar panel into ANY generator if it meets these two rules:
- Voltage (VOC): The panel’s “Open Circuit Voltage” must be LOWER than your generator’s limit.
- Connector: The plug must fit.
| Generator Model | Max Voltage Input | Required Connector |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 60V Max | DC8020 (Square-ish 8mm) |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 (Old) | 30V Max | DC7909 (Round 8mm) |
| EcoFlow Delta 2 | 60V Max | XT-60 / XT-60i |
| Anker Solix C1000 | 60V Max | XT-60 |
2. The Adapter You Need (Don’t Buy the Wrong One)
Most third-party panels use MC4 connectors (those waterproof plastic clips). You need an adapter cable to bridge the gap.
- For Jackery v2 / Plus Models:You need an [MC4 to DC8020 Adapter].
- Warning: Do not buy the old “DC7909” adapter. The new v2 models use the square port.
- For EcoFlow & Anker:You need an [MC4 to XT-60 Adapter].
- Tip: For EcoFlow, try to find an “XT-60i” (orange handle) cable. It tells the unit to charge faster (up to 15A).
3. Top 3 Cheap Panels That Work
- Renogy 100W Rigid Panel ($80): The gold standard. Heavy, but bombproof. Perfect for mounting on a van or shed.
- BougeRV 200W CIGS Flexible ($250): Rollable and lightweight. Great for camping if you don’t want the heavy glass of rigid panels.
- Harbor Freight Thunderbolt 100W ($99): Available locally, but requires a special SAE adapter.
4. The “Safety Math” (Do Not Blow Up Your Battery)
Let’s say you want to connect two panels.
- Parallel Wiring: Doubles Amps, Voltage stays same. (Safe for most generators).
- Series Wiring: Doubles Voltage. DANGER ZONE.
- Example: Two Renogy 100W panels (22V each) in series = 44V.
- Result: Safe for EcoFlow Delta 2 (60V limit), but would FRY an older Jackery 240 (30V limit).
Pro Tip: Once you have your solar setup running, you’ll have plenty of power to keep your phone charged. Why not use that uptime to earn some extra cash? Check out our guide on Legit Gaming Reward Apps to play games while your panels soak up the sun.
