Renogy Lightweight solar suitcase 400W
(3 reviews)
400 W of portable output in a 13.7 kg suitcase: four folding panels, reinforced ETFE coating and solid kickstands to refill a power station in one day.
- Power: 400 W (4 folding panels)
- Efficiency: 23% (monocrystalline cells)
- Weight: 13.7 kg (fibreglass ETFE)
- Durability: IP67, adjustable kickstands, MC4
- 400 W portable for 13.7 kg, folds into a suitcase
Detailed overview: Renogy 400 W foldable solar panel suitcase
The Renogy 400 W solar suitcase plays a simple card: deliver the output of a fixed installation in a format you can carry and stow. Its four panels unfold in one motion and develop 400 W, enough to recharge a 1 kWh power station over a single good day, or to directly run a motorhome fridge and the onboard electronics.
Its real argument is weight. Where a glass-covered 400 W folding panel often exceeds 20 kg, this model stops at 13.7 kg thanks to a fibreglass-reinforced ETFE coating. That material, lighter and far more impact-resistant than tempered glass, lets light through with excellent efficiency (23% conversion on A+ monocrystalline cells) while withstanding repeated handling, scratches and transport vibration.
On durability, the IP67 rating protects it from rain and dust, and the supplied kickstands, wider than average, let you tilt it toward the sun even on rough ground. Folding into a suitcase with an integrated handle makes it easy to stow in a locker or behind a bench seat. Output is over standard MC4 connectors, with a 40 V open-circuit voltage for a maximum 10 A: enough to feed most portable stations on the market as well as third-party MPPT controllers, provided the input range accepts those 40 V.
This suitcase therefore suits motorhome owners, vanlifers and anyone doing motorised bivouac or temporary off-grid: those who need plenty of watts but refuse to drill a roof or give up stowing their kit. For a permanent installation, a rigid panel remains better value per watt; for portable use, this format is hard to beat.
Full specifications
Detailed characteristics
Panel
| Peak power?Rated panel power in full sun (STC conditions). | 400 W |
|---|---|
| Cell technology?Cell type; monocrystalline offers the best efficiency, flexible CIGS tolerates shading better. | Monocrystalline |
| Conversion efficiency?Share of solar energy converted to electricity; higher means a more compact panel for the same power. | 23 % |
| Panel type?Foldable (portable), rigid framed (fixed install) or flexible (curved surfaces). | Foldable |
| Bifacial?Also captures reflected light on its rear side, for extra output. | No |
| Number of folds?Number of foldable segments. | 4 |
Electrical specifications
| Current at max power (Imp)?Current at the maximum power point. | 10 A |
|---|---|
| Open-circuit voltage (Voc)?Open-circuit voltage; check against your station/controller MPPT input range. | 40 V |
Outputs and connectors
| Output connectors?Output socket type(s) (MC4, XT60, Anderson, DC, USB…); determines compatibility with your station. | MC4 |
|---|
Durability and format
| Ingress protection?Water and dust resistance (IP rating). | IP67 |
|---|---|
| Adjustable kickstand?Kickstand or support to angle the panel toward the sun. | Yes |
| Weight?Weight of the panel. | 13.7 kg |
Warranty
| Warranty?Length of the manufacturer's warranty. | 5 years |
|---|
☀ How fast does this panel recharge a power station?
The Renogy Lightweight solar suitcase 400W panel (400 W) recharges a Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1070 Wh) in ~3h50 or an EcoFlow Delta 2 Max (2048 Wh) in ~7h20, in full sun.
| Compact / mid | Recharge |
|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 100 Plus (99 Wh) | ~20 min |
| Allpowers Volix P300 (256 Wh) | ~55 min |
| Growatt Vita 550 (538 Wh) | ~1h55 |
| EcoFlow River 3 Max Plus (sans fil) (858 Wh) | ~3h05 |
| High capacity | Recharge |
|---|---|
| Bluetti AC200L (2048 Wh) | ~7h20 |
| Allpowers R4000 (3456 Wh) | ~12h |
| Fossibot F3600 Pro (3840 Wh) | ~14h |
| EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 (4096 Wh) | ~15h |
Estimate in full sun (ideal conditions). In practice, count on 3 to 5 hours of truly useful sunlight per day, so a full recharge may span several days depending on weather and orientation.
Compatible power stations
A selection of power stations whose solar input accepts this photovoltaic panel, best match first.
Comparison
Around 400 euros, the Renogy 400 W suitcase compares to the large folding solar panels sought for motorhomes and off-grid, via searches like "400W folding solar panel" or "motorhome solar suitcase". Here is how it stands against three alternatives: the EcoFlow 400W portable, the Allpowers SP037 400W and the Renogy 200W suitcase.
| Criterion | Renogy 400W suitcase | EcoFlow 400W portable | Allpowers SP037 400W | Renogy 200W suitcase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 400 W | 400 W | 400 W | 200 W |
| Weight | 13.7 kg | 16 kg | ≈ 20 kg | ≈ 9 kg |
| Efficiency | 23% | 23% | ≈ 22% | ≈ 22% |
| Rating | IP67 | IP68 | IP66 | IP65 |
| Observed price | ≈ 400 € | ≈ 999 € | ≈ 449 € | ≈ 279 € |
In short, the Renogy 400 W suitcase is the lightest in its power class (13.7 kg, more than 2 kg less than the EcoFlow and about 6 kg less than the Allpowers), while keeping 23% efficiency and very stable kickstands. The EcoFlow offers a higher rating but costs far more; the Allpowers asks a similar price for a noticeably higher weight; the same maker's 200 W suitcase suits more modest needs. To carry 400 W daily without breaking the bank or your back, this model is the most balanced choice.
Related video
Video: Renogy 400W Lightweight Portable Solar Suitcase Review [Perfect for Solar Ready RV's & Vanlife] - Published on 19/04/2024
Our tester's review: Julien De Jurquet
We took this Renogy 400 W suitcase in a motorhome for three weeks, and it is the power-to-weight ratio that strikes you first. A 400 W suitcase that weighs only 13.7 kg can be carried one-handed over a few dozen metres, where an equivalent tempered-glass model would have wrecked our backs. Unfolding the four panels takes about thirty seconds, the kickstands hold well even on uneven ground, and you only need to reorient it two or three times through the day to stay near peak. On a fine July day, we filled a 1 kWh station between morning and mid-afternoon without straining. The fibreglass-reinforced ETFE coating inspires confidence: it takes knocks and scratches far better than a glass panel, and the IP67 rating lets you leave it out in a shower without stress. Two caveats: unfolded, it takes up a fair amount of ground, so you need space in front of the vehicle, and the 40 V open-circuit voltage means checking your station's input range before buying. For serious portable use, it is one of the most convincing suitcases around.
Frequently asked questions: Renogy 400 W foldable solar panel suitcase
In good weather and correctly oriented, count a solid day of sunshine, often between morning and mid-afternoon in summer. Real output depends on season, latitude and panel angle.
Because it uses a fibreglass-reinforced ETFE coating instead of tempered glass. At equal power, that brings weight down to 13.7 kg, against more than 20 kg for some rivals.
It outputs over standard MC4 connectors, with 40 V open circuit and 10 A maximum. Check that your station's solar input accepts at least 40 V: that is the case for most recent stations of 1 kWh and above.
Yes for a shower: its IP67 rating protects it from water and dust. That said, like any portable panel, it is better folded and stowed when not in use, particularly in strong wind.
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Published on 25/07/2026