Ecoflow’s 220 W photo voltaic panel has a singular function—it’s bifacial. What does this imply? The photo voltaic panels will be capable of generate solar energy on either side. Because of its bifacial design, Ecoflow doesn’t depend on stands for the panel. As an alternative, the carrying bag acts doubles up because the holder for the module each time you’re outdoor. In our assessment, nextpit will let you know whether or not these distinctive options are merely gimmicks or whether or not they’re actually helpful in on a regular basis use.
The EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Transportable Photo voltaic Panel in a nutshell
The bifacial 220 W photo voltaic panel from Ecoflow works nice in lots of facets. It’s snug to hold round and the carrying bag doubles up as a stand for the photo voltaic panels each time you’re outdoor, be it on a tenting journey or a ship, the place there’s an influence station round to retailer all of the vitality generated by these panels. Meeting might be performed in a jiffy even with only one individual.
The one gripe I’ve is when one opens the photo voltaic panel—it feels considerably stiff across the hinges. Lastly, because of the eyelets, you may simply connect the panel to your balcony as a part of your balcony energy station.
Regardless of the bifacial design, the 220 W photo voltaic panel from Ecoflow delivers much less solar energy within the sensible assessment than, for example, the Bluetti PV200 (learn assessment). The 220 W photo voltaic panel prices $649 based mostly on the advisable retail value. In case you are to behave shortly, it can save you some huge cash: At the moment, the panel is out there for $549.
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Design and efficiency
The Ecoflow 220W Bifacial Photo voltaic Panel is straightforward to move because of the carrying case. Meeting is an uncomplicated affair and might be accomplished shortly. As well as, the photo voltaic panel is protected in opposition to water and mud since it’s IP68 licensed.
What I preferred:
IP68 licensed, making it proof against mud and water.
Sensible twin performance of the carrying bag.
4 eyelets can be found.
What I disliked:
Panel feels a bit stiff when unfolded.
The photo voltaic panel suggestions the scales at 9.6 kg and might be simply transported because of the carrying bag. The panel doesn’t have any toes. As an alternative, you should use the carrying bag as a holder for the photo voltaic panel when out tenting or in your yacht.
The setup is easy and might be accomplished shortly with out the assistance of one other individual: You solely have to connect the panel to the carrying bag utilizing two of the 4 included carabiners. Nonetheless, the module makes a considerably stiff impression in the course of the setup course of and when unfolding it. When absolutely opened, the photo voltaic panels take up fairly a little bit of house with dimensions measuring 82 × 182 × 25 cm.
The Ecoflow’s 220 W panel has mounted tilt angles not like the Bluetti PV200 (assessment). As well as, the 220 W panel with the carrying bag—like most different foldable photo voltaic panels — is barely reasonably steady. In case you are not tucked away in an space that is protected against robust winds, then I might extremely suggest you safe the panel from flying away utilizing the accompanying eyelets.
The carrying bag acts as a holder for the 220 W photo voltaic panel. / © nextpit
Ecoflow included 4 eyelets within the module, making the 220 W panel appropriate not solely as a cellular vitality supply on a tenting journey but additionally as your balcony energy plant. In the event you lack the required know-how, it’s best to undoubtedly learn our information on learn how to construct your personal balcony energy plant.
Furthermore, because of its IP68 certification, the panel might be uncovered to rain with none challenge and can be dust-resistant. Final however not least, Ecoflow hooked up its cables firmly to the panel and the 220 W photo voltaic panel depends on MC4 connectors. Ecoflow didn’t set up further charging ports, akin to a USB port, within the panel.
The 220 W photo voltaic panel from Ecoflow has 4 eyelets. / © nextpit
Photo voltaic panels and energy
Ecoflow’s 220 W photo voltaic panel generates solar energy on either side attributable to its bifacial design. Nonetheless, in our sensible assessment, the panel doesn’t cost sooner than a standard 200 W panel from its competitors. Furthermore, the panel is appropriate for tenting journeys in addition to to your balcony energy plant.
What I preferred:
Photo voltaic panel generates photo voltaic vitality on either side.
It may be used on tenting journeys and as a part of a balcony energy plant.
What I disliked:
Ecoflow guarantees a most conversion fee of 23% for the 220W panel. That is vital to know: The conversion fee signifies what quantity of daylight the panel converts into photo voltaic vitality. As a comparability, the producer acknowledged the effectivity of the Bluetti PV200 (assessment) at 23.4%.
The particular function of Ecoflow’s 220 W photo voltaic panel is its bifaciality. In different phrases, the panel generates photo voltaic vitality on each the entrance and the again — so that you additionally seize mild that bypasses the panel and is mirrored to its again.
There’s a massive distinction in energy between the entrance and the again on this course of. Ecoflow acknowledged the utmost energy of the entrance to be 220 W—and Ecoflow guarantees as much as 155 W energy for the again. This makes a have a look at the check outcomes all of the extra thrilling.
The 220 W photo voltaic panel generates photo voltaic vitality on each the entrance and the again. / © nextpit
This is one other little factor to think about: We carried out the sensible assessment on June 8, 2023, in Berlin at temperatures of 25 levels. Through the check, we encountered good climate situations of clear skies and sunshine.
To get a clearer image, we examined the PV200 from Bluetti along with the 220 W photo voltaic panel from Ecoflow. As with the Bluetti PV200, we used the Bluetti AC180 as a check energy station to log efficiency for the check of Ecoflow’s 220 W photo voltaic panel.
The design of the 220 W photo voltaic panel offers off a high-quality impression. / © nextpit
The 220 W photo voltaic panel from Ecoflow charged our assessment unit at 150 W all the best way. At instances, the ability elevated to 152 W. Simply to check: The Bluetti PV200 fees the AC180 on the identical time with 157 W at peak, with brief energy drops to 154 W.
So, at such elevation, the Ecoflow panel has no energy benefits over the Bluetti panel. Given the producer’s talked about conversion charges, we’d have anticipated a bit extra energy from the Ecoflow panel at 220 W at 23% than from the Bluetti PV200 at 200 W and 23.4%.
One closing be aware: At first look, being 68 W beneath the rated energy gave the impression to be reasonably disappointing. Nonetheless, with regards to photo voltaic panels, you’ll have to keep in mind that the required nominal energy is the very best end result. Module orientation, elevated materials temperature, hazy skies, or different obstacles will at all times lead to worse numbers. Usually, you obtain one of the best outcomes shortly after noon in chilly climate.
The conclusion
Whether or not it is for a tenting journey or out on a ship, Ecoflow’s 220 W bifacial photo voltaic panel is a good way to energy your on a regular basis gadgets each time you’re off the grid. Nonetheless, we have been hoping for a bit extra punch, particularly from the elevated efficiency as a result of bifacial design within the subject check.
In abstract, Ecoflow’s 220W photo voltaic panel continues to be a stable alternative when you’re on the lookout for a foldable photo voltaic panel. The good factor is everytime you’re not tenting, you may merely dangle the panel in your balcony with the useful eyelets and let it generate vitality.
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