4Patriots Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator solar panel setup
The 4Patriots Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator takes up to 100 W of solar through one solar input (12–24 V, 100 W). The quickest refill from a maker panel on sale today: 1 × EcoFlow NextGen 160W, 1 panel on the solar input, which brings it to 100 W and refills its 299 Wh in about 3 h of full sun.
Solar limit
100W
Fastest refill
3h of sun
Panels
1× 160 W
The panels cost $249 at EcoFlow, checked Oct 11, 2026. At a more typical 70% panel yield the refill takes about 3 h. Every arrangement here keeps the panels' open-circuit voltage under the limit on a -10 °C (14 °F) morning. Every panel we track.
1 × EcoFlow NextGen 160W on the 4Patriots Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator: 1 panel on the solar input; 100 W in.
4Patriots Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator: solar input limits from 4Patriots
solar input
12 to 24 V working voltage, 100 W, Anderson plug
All inputs together
100 W (4Patriots: "Solar: 100W (12-24V MPPT)")
Two panels in series add their voltages; strings in parallel add their currents. A panel's open-circuit voltage (Voc) rises on cold, bright mornings, so each arrangement below is checked with the panel's own temperature coefficient, or -0.35% per °C where the maker publishes none, at -10 °C (14 °F). Strings in parallel are kept within the input's current figure; a single string that could give more is held back by the input itself. Where the maker gives a working-voltage range, the top of it is treated as the open-circuit ceiling too, the cautious reading.
Every maker panel we track, on the Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator
2 of the 18 panels fit, fastest refill first. Each uses every input that can take it; the hours are full sun, from empty.
Maker panels on the 4Patriots Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator; prices Oct 11, 2026
"Full sun to refill" is the ideal floor: the station taking its input limit every hour. Panels rarely deliver their rating, so the 70% column is closer to a good day, and a usable day holds four to six hours of full sun in most of the US. Panels whose maker does not name an MC4 plug are counted one to an input, since they link to others only through the maker's own adapters.
Cables between panel and station
What a day of sun puts back
Watt-hours back in a day, at a 70% panel yield and the station's input limit. Winter in the northern US gives about 3 hours of full sun, a clear summer day in the Southwest 6 or more.
Watt-hours back per day; the Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator holds 299 Wh
Setup
3 h of sun
4 h of sun
5 h of sun
6 h of sun
1 × EcoFlow NextGen 160W
299 Wha full refill
299 Wha full refill
299 Wha full refill
299 Wha full refill
Check another panel on the Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator
Type the figures from the panel's label or spec sheet (they are given at 25 °C). The check assumes MC4 plugs, so panels can go in series or parallel.
Enter the four figures to see how many of these panels the Patriot Power Sidekick Solar Generator takes, and how to wire them.
Where the solar limits come from
4Patriots user manual (PDF): "Charging Power AC Power: 300W Solar: 100W (12-24V MPPT)" · "14. SOLAR BARREL INPUT PORT" · "15. SOLAR INPUT PORT"
