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Quick answer: our top pick is EcoFlow 400W Portable Solar Panel (400 W · one per input · DELTA 3 and 3 Plus).
Which solar panel for the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus? The simplest answer: two 400 W panels
For the DELTA 3 Plus, it is best to buy two 400 W panels, one for each of the two solar inputs. EcoFlow recommends this itself and it gives up to 1000 W of total input. A cheaper option is a pair of 220 W panels connected in series to a single input.
The DELTA 3 (non-Plus) has only one 500 W input, so a second 400 W panel adds nothing for it. A single 400 W panel is the natural choice for this model, and EcoFlow sells it in a bundle with the DELTA 3 series.
| Panel | DELTA 3 Plus (2 x 500 W) | DELTA 3 (1 x 500 W) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow 400 W | yes | yes | 1 panel per input |
| EcoFlow 220 W | yes | yes | up to 2 in series per input (EcoFlow) |
| EcoFlow 160 W | yes | yes | built-in XT60 cable |
| EcoFlow 110 W | yes | yes | |
| SOKIOVOLA 200 W | yes | yes | Voc 21.6 V, XT60 adapter included |
Sources: EcoFlow (DELTA 3 page, DELTA 3 Plus FAQ), panel makers' listings. Input: 11-60 V, up to 500 W per input.
Read the table from the power station's side: first check how many inputs it has, then match the panels to a single input rather than to the whole station. Power above 500 W per input will be clipped anyway.
11-60 V and 500 W input: series or parallel
The two figures next to the solar input describe different things. 11-60 V is the permitted voltage, while 500 W is the power the station will accept on a single input. The DELTA 3 Plus has two such inputs, 1000 W in total, while the DELTA 3 has one.
A series connection adds up the voltages of the panels, while the current stays the same. A parallel connection adds up the currents at the same voltage. The input has a current limit, which is why the way you connect the panels matters.
That is the reason for EcoFlow's rule: two 220 W panels are connected in series, not in parallel, because in parallel they would exceed the permitted input current of the DELTA 3 Plus. In practice, you buy two 220 W panels, connect them into one string and plug them into one input. The other input stays free for another pair.
Smaller panels make sense too. The 160 W and 110 W models will not use the full 500 W input, but on a camping trip they will top up the station during the day. The 160 W panel has a built-in XT60 cable, so the plug fits straight into the station and the panel is easy to pack into the boot of a car.
All EcoFlow panels with a power of 110 W, 160 W, 220 W and 400 W have a connector for an EcoFlow station.
Fun fact: thanks to its two 500 W inputs, the DELTA 3 Plus charges from the sun in about 70 minutes, almost twice as fast as the DELTA 3 with a single input.
We have selected the panels below according to how much power you want to feed into a single input: from the largest 400 W to the smallest 110 W, plus one panel from another brand.
Recommended solar panels for the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus
1. EcoFlow 400W Portable Solar Panel
400 W · one per input · DELTA 3 and 3 Plus
EcoFlow's largest folding panel. EcoFlow sells it in a bundle with the DELTA 3 series and suggests two of them for the DELTA 3 Plus, one on each input.
2. EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Solar Panel
220 W · bifacial · two in series per input
A 220 W bifacial panel. EcoFlow says to wire two of them in series on one DELTA 3 Plus input, because in parallel they would exceed the input's maximum current.
3. EcoFlow 160W Solar Panel
160 W · built-in XT60 cable · lighter
A lighter panel with a built-in XT60 cable, so it plugs straight into an EcoFlow station. Handy when the panel and the station share a car trunk.
4. SOKIOVOLA 200W Portable Solar Panel
200 W · Voc 21.6 V · XT60 and DC8020 adapters included
A third-party panel with a 5-in-1 cable that includes XT60 and DC8020 ends. Its 21.6 V open-circuit voltage sits inside the input range of the EcoFlow DELTA 3 and the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2.
Third-party panel: what to check before buying
A third-party panel will work if the open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the entire string falls within the 11-60 V input range. With a single panel, you look at its Voc; with two connected in series, at the sum. Leave some margin from the upper limit.
The second point is the connector. Most panels have an MC4 output, and the station needs a cable or adapter, most often with an XT60 end. Without it, the panel simply will not fit into the socket.
An example is the SOKIOVOLA 200 W. It has an open-circuit voltage of 21.6 V, so it fits comfortably within the 11-60 V range, and the set includes a 5-in-1 cable with XT60, DC8020, DC7909, DC5521 and Anderson connectors. The panel has an MC4 output, and the cable takes care of the rest.
Keep the limit in mind: even if the string is rated above 500 W, the station will cap the power at 500 W per input. The excess will not cause any harm, but it will not speed up charging.
How long solar charging really takes
About 70 minutes for the DELTA 3 Plus with both inputs is the manufacturer's claim under ideal sun. For the DELTA 3 with a single input, EcoFlow states about 130 minutes. Reviews by StorageReview, The Solar Lab and Solarkontor confirm the same input values, but the times still come from the manufacturer.
Ideal sun means a clear sky, a panel pointed straight at the sun and no shade. Clouds, the angle of incidence, dirt on the glass or the shadow of a branch will reduce the power, so the time will get longer, and noticeably so.
That is why you should plan with a margin. If you are charging on a trip, count on a full sunny day rather than an hour and a few minutes. Anyone who wants to get closer to the claimed time should buy two 400 W panels and keep adjusting them to follow the sun.
Frequently asked questions about panels for the DELTA 3 Plus
How many panels can be connected to the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus?
The station has two solar inputs of 500 W each, 1000 W in total. The simplest option is to connect one 400 W panel to each input. You can also use two 220 W panels connected in series to one input, and leave the other one free or fill it with another pair.
Does a 400 W panel fit the EcoFlow DELTA 3?
Yes, EcoFlow sells a 400 W panel bundled with the DELTA 3 series. The DELTA 3 has a single 500 W input, so one 400 W panel will use it well, while a second 400 W panel adds nothing.
Should two 220 W panels be connected in series or in parallel?
In series. According to the EcoFlow FAQ, a parallel connection will exceed the permitted input current of the DELTA 3 Plus. A series connection adds up the voltage, and it stays within the 11-60 V range.
Will a third-party panel work with the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus?
Yes, as long as the open-circuit voltage of the entire string falls within the 11-60 V range. You also need a cable or adapter, usually with an XT60 end. The station will cap power above 500 W per input.
How quickly will the DELTA 3 Plus charge from the sun?
The manufacturer claims about 70 minutes with both inputs and ideal sun. In normal conditions it will take longer, because the weather, the angle of the panel and any shade all matter.
Sources
- EcoFlow: DELTA 3 Series Solar Generator (PV400W) - manufacturer page (eu.ecoflow.com)
- EcoFlow: DELTA 3 Plus FAQ - manufacturer page (ecoflow.com)
- StorageReview: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus review - industry article (storagereview.com)
- The Solar Lab: EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus review - industry article (thesolarlab.com)
- Solarkontor: EcoFlow DELTA 3 series check - industry article (solarkontor.de)
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