How Long Does It Take to Charge a Solar Power Bank with Sunlight?

If you love travelling, camping, hiking, or simply staying prepared for power cuts, you already know the value of a solid, reliable solar power bank. At Mobile Solar Chargers, one question customers ask all the time is simple:

“How long does it take to charge a power bank in sunlight?”

Anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, depending on the model, panel size, and the intensity of sunlight. But the long answer is more helpful, and that’s what we’ll break down here in a friendly, easy-to-read way.

Why Charging Time Isn’t the Same for Every Solar Power Bank?

Solar power banks don’t all charge at the same speed. It depends on a few real-world factors:

• How strong the sunlight is (midday summer sun charges fastest)

• Solar panel wattage (bigger wattage = quicker charging)

• Power bank capacity (a 50Ah bank takes longer than a 10Ah one)

• Panel quality (our ETFE and SunPower panels deliver higher efficiency)

At Mobile Solar Chargers, our folding solar panels range from 8W to 200W, providing customers with the proper flexibility for their adventures.

Real-Life Charging Times from Mobile Solar Chargers

To give you a clearer, more accurate idea of solar charging performance, here are realistic sunlight charging times based on popular Mobile Solar Chargers products. These estimates assume strong UK summer sunlight using compatible MSC folding solar panels.

1. MSC 1400Wh LiFePO4 Portable Power Station

Designed for off-grid living, overlanding, emergency backup, and professional field work.

• Battery capacity: 1400Wh

• Recommended solar input: 120W–200W folding solar panels

• Solar charge time:

  • With a 200W panel: 8–10 hours

  • With a 120W panel: 10–14 hours

Ideal for powering laptops, fridges, drones, medical equipment, and tools.

2. MSC 1380Wh LiFePO4 Power Station

A powerful, long-life energy solution for extended outdoor trips and home backup.

• Battery capacity: 1380Wh

• Recommended solar input: 120W–200W

• Solar charge time:

  • With a 200W panel: 8–10 hours

  • With a 120W panel: 11–14 hours

Built with LiFePO4 cells for superior safety and longevity.

3. MSC 1075Wh LiFePO4 Power Station

A balanced option for campers, photographers, and remote workers.

• Battery capacity: 1075Wh

• Recommended solar input: 100W–200W

• Solar charge time:

  • With 200W panel: 6–8 hours

  • With 100W panel: 9–11 hours

Excellent for charging multiple devices simultaneously off-grid.

4. MSC Super Plus Power Bank (500W Output)

Compact yet powerful, suitable for CPAP machines, laptops, and small appliances.

• Battery capacity: approx. 500Wh

• Recommended solar input: 60W–100W

• Solar charge time:

  • With 100W panel: 5–7 hours

  • With 60W panel: 7–9 hours

A strong choice for weekend trips and mobile workstations.

5. MSC 62Ah LiFePO4 Power Bank

Built for reliability, long cycles, and serious outdoor use.

• Battery capacity: approx. 800Wh

• Recommended solar input: 100W–200W

• Solar charge time:

  • With 200W panel: 5–7 hours

  • With 100W panel: 8–10 hours

Perfect for extended camping, marine use, and backup power.

6. MSC 100Wh PD60W AC Power Bank

Small, lightweight, and ideal for digital nomads and travel.

• Battery capacity: 100Wh

• Recommended solar input: 20W–40W

• Solar charge time:

  • With a 40W panel: 3–4 hours

  • With a 20W panel: 5–6 hours

Supports fast charging for laptops, phones, and cameras.

7. Aqua Trek Plus Waterproof Solar Power Bank

Built for hiking, kayaking, festivals, and emergency kits.

• Battery capacity: approx. 20Ah

• Solar charge time:

  • Built-in panel: Very slow (emergency use only)

  • With 20W external panel: 10 hours

Ideal for rugged outdoor conditions where durability matters.

Useful Tips to Speed Up Solar Charging

You can charge faster with a few smart tricks:

• Face the panel directly at the sun

• Avoid shadows; even 10% shade can cut power by 50%

• Keep the panel clean (dust reduces efficiency)

• Use larger panels for big power banks

• Start charging early morning and keep it going till late afternoon

Many customers combine USB mains charging + solar top-ups, especially during winter.

Are Solar Power Banks Reliable in the UK?

Yes, and more than people think. Modern ETFE solar panels work well even on cool, bright UK days. Solar panels still produce up to 60% of peak output even under thin clouds. So your power bank will continue charging just a little slower.

Why Do Mobile Solar Chargers Stand Out?

Our website’s products are designed for genuine off-grid situations:

• Used in Everest Base Camp, Antarctica work, and Arctic treks

• Drop-tested, waterproof, and rugged

• High-efficiency SunPower / ETFE folding panels

• Power banks from 5V to 240V

• Chargers suitable for phones, tablets, drones, cameras, laptops, GPS and power stations

You aren’t just selling tech. You're selling freedom from plug sockets.

FAQs

1. How long does a solar power bank take to charge on a cloudy day?

 It may take 30–50% longer depending on cloud thickness.

2. Can I use the power bank while it’s charging?

Yes, but it slows down the solar charging speed.

3. Do your solar panels work with all power banks?

 Yes, our folding panels are compatible with all MSC power banks and most 5V–32V devices.

4. Can a solar power bank fully replace mains charging?

Yes, the right combination of solar and power banks can give ongoing off-grid power.

Final Thoughts

Charging a power bank with sunlight can take between 4 and 12 hours, depending on the model and conditions. Although it may take a while to fully charge a 20Ah Power Bank, gaining 20% of its capacity is equivalent to a full smartphone charge. With high-efficiency folding solar panels and rugged power banks, Mobile Solar Chargers give you reliable, portable energy wherever your journey takes you.

Whether it’s a weekend camping trip or a full expedition, you’ll never be left powerless as long as the sun is with you.

Explore our full range of solar power banks: https://www.mobilesolarchargers.co.uk/power-bank