Charge the station from the sun
Add panels — we will work out how much sun a full charge takes and whether generation covers your daily use. Add panels — we will work out charging time and energy balance.
An estimate: panel yield for Kyiv is 4.5 hours of full sun a day in summer (with a margin) and 1 hour in winter, panel losses included; charging and inverter efficiency 85%; panels give no more than the solar input of the station accepts. Appliance hours are typical, the fridge counts only compressor time (~35%); half of the daily use is taken as night use, which the station has to cover. Real generation depends on cloud cover, the angle and how clean the panels are.
The EcoFlow 28W Solar Panel Type-C is the smallest solar panel EcoFlow makes. It weighs about 600 g and folds down to the size of a small tablet. The panel charges a smartphone, power bank, camera, GPS unit, headlamp or small drone directly over USB-C and USB-A. If you want to buy EcoFlow 28W Solar Panel Type-C, keep the key point in mind first: it is a charger for gadgets, not a panel for a power station. It has no battery of its own, so it only delivers power while the sun is shining on it.
That is exactly why it is so light and simple. Unfold it, hang it on a backpack or tent, plug in your phone cable and charging starts. No adapters, controllers or separate XT60 cables are needed.
Why the 28W Type-C
600 g and the size of a tablet
Folded, the panel measures 291 x 177 x 18.6 mm; unfolded, it is 291 x 664 mm and only 2 mm thick. It slides into the side pocket of a backpack or a document folder. Four carabiners are included, so it is easy to attach to a backpack, a branch, a tarp or bicycle handlebars.
Two fast-charging ports
The edge of the panel has a USB-C and a USB-A port. USB-C supports 5 V / 3 A, 9 V / 2.2 A and 12 V / 1.67 A, so up to 20 W. USB-A gives 5 V / 3 A, 9 V / 2 A and 12 V / 1.5 A, so up to 18 W. Your phone negotiates the right voltage with the panel the same way it does with an ordinary wall charger.
N-Type TOPCon cells with up to 25% efficiency
EcoFlow uses monocrystalline N-Type TOPCon cells with up to 25% conversion efficiency. On such a small surface this makes a noticeable difference: the panel reaches working power sooner in the morning and holds it longer in the evening.
Built-in angle guide
The panel has a solar angle guide. When its shadow disappears, the sunlight is hitting the panel at a right angle. According to EcoFlow, the guide helps the panel deliver 45% more power than without it. There is no built-in stand, so the panel is laid on the ground, leaned against a rock or hung from the carabiners.
IP68 protection
The panel is protected against dust and water to IP68. Rain, dew or splashes by a river do not harm it. After use, just wipe it with a damp cloth and fold it.
What 28 W can charge
The 28 W rating is the output of the panel itself. The ports regulate the voltage, so USB-C delivers up to 20 W and USB-A up to 18 W. EcoFlow explains the difference by conversion losses and changing light.
EcoFlow’s own example: on a clear day at +34 °C with a UV index of about 8, an iPhone 15 charged from 20% to 80% in 50 minutes. The panel also works in cloudy weather, but the current drops and the same charge takes longer. In winter, when the sun is low, adjust the angle more often and expect one or two phone charges per day of daylight.
The most practical setup for hiking: during the day the panel charges a power bank, and in the evening the power bank charges your phone, camera and headlamp. That way no energy is lost when the sun goes behind a cloud.
What it is good for
- A multi-day hike without sockets: phone, GPS, headlamp.
- Fishing and camping: a power bank for the day and camera charging.
- Bike touring: the panel on a backpack or a rack.
- A backup during power cuts: a phone and a USB-powered router.
- Small devices at a country house without electricity.
This panel is not meant for RIVER and DELTA power stations. EcoFlow explicitly does not recommend connecting it to other power sources. For power stations, choose panels with an XT60 output, such as the EcoFlow 110W Lightweight Solar Panel or the EcoFlow 160W Lightweight Solar Panel.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum power (Pmax) | 28 W (±1 W) |
| USB-C output | 5 V / 3 A, 9 V / 2.2 A, 12 V / 1.67 A, up to 20 W |
| USB-A output | 5 V / 3 A, 9 V / 2 A, 12 V / 1.5 A, up to 18 W |
| Cell type | N-Type TOPCon, monocrystalline |
| Efficiency | up to 25% |
| Folded dimensions | 291 x 177 x 18.6 mm |
| Unfolded dimensions | 291 x 664 x 2 mm |
| Weight | approx. 0.6 kg |
| Protection | IP68 |
| Manufacturer warranty | 2 years |
In the box
- EcoFlow 28W Type-C solar panel.
- Four carabiners for mounting.
- User manual and warranty card.
A phone cable is not included: your usual USB-C or USB-A cable will do.
Tips for use
Unfold the panel completely: even partial shade on one section noticeably reduces the current. Turn it towards the sun every two or three hours, or follow the angle guide. Keep the phone itself in the shade rather than on the panel: direct sun heats it up and slows charging. The LED on the housing lights up when the panel is open and producing power.
Clean the surface with a soft brush, and remove bird droppings or dirt right away so you do not lose power. Do not leave the panel folded in the sun for a long time.
Frequently asked questions
Can the panel charge a power station?
No, and EcoFlow explicitly advises against it. The panel only has USB outputs of up to 12 V, while RIVER and DELTA stations need an XT60 solar input with at least 11 V and a current a 28-watt panel cannot supply. For power stations you need models from 110 W upwards.
Does the panel work through glass or in the shade?
Through a car window it delivers only part of its power, because glass reflects and absorbs light. In the shade the current drops several times over. The panel works best in open sun, facing it at a right angle.
What happens to the phone when a cloud passes?
The current drops, and the phone may pause charging for a moment and then continue. To avoid this, charge a power bank from the panel and the phone from the power bank.
Can I leave the panel in the rain?
Yes, the IP68 rating allows it. Let the surface dry before folding it and packing it into a backpack.
The manufacturer warranty on the EcoFlow 28W Solar Panel Type-C is 24 months under the EcoFlow Europe policy, with repairs and replacements handled by EcoFlow service in the EU. To buy EcoFlow 28W Solar Panel Type-C, place an order on the website: we ship it by Nova Poshta, and you can pay on delivery.
