Product Review: Goal Zero 10 Watt Foldable Solar Panel
Jess Carpenter
Sept. 21, 2026
My First Solar Panel Experience
On September 19, 2026, I bought my first solar panel and tested it out later that day. I purchased the Goal Zero 10-watt foldable solar panel from Rack Attack in Frisco, TX, where I’m getting a Thule roof rack installed.
I bought the small solar panel to test. I don’t have any experience with solar, and I plan to purchase a decent solar panel system before summer 2027 to use while I’m camping for a month or two.
First off, this was awesome. Watching a solar panel charge an electronic item using the sun is just neat. Although it’s a small panel and can’t run an entire house, it was still cool to see how quickly it charged my light.
The Goal Zero 10 has to be connected to a solar power bank or the item being charged. I grabbed a cycling headlight that was completely dead to test. I placed the panel on the ground and in the sun for about two hours. By then, the light was charged and ready to go.
The Goal Zero 10 has a USB-A port, a stand, and is lightweight. If you have sun, it appears this little solar panel would charge your small devices. I’ll continue testing this panel with different electronics to see how it holds up, but so far it’s working as advertised. I understand why it’s marketed as a simple, lightweight solo camping solar panel, because I can see it working well as a solo camper, as long as there is light.
As I mentioned, I’m brand new to the solar panel world. I’ve watched others use them living off-grid, and I’ve read about them, but this is my first experience using them. I learn by doing, so a lot of things click when I’m actually doing the thing I want to learn. While this was a very small test, it’s enough to understand how awesome and useful solar panels are.
The way I plan to use the Goal Zero 10 most of the time is by plugging in a power bank and charging the power bank. I have an Anker Zolo power bank, 20k. My next experiment: I’ll have the Anker at zero charge and see how long it takes to charge the Anker to 100%. I’ll check the power bank every 15 to 30 minutes until it’s fully charged.
My Experience With the Goal Zero 10 Watt Foldable Solar Panel
I think the Goal Zero 10-watt foldable solar panel is awesome. It gave me a little introduction to solar panels and has me excited to test out bigger and better systems. One system I’m eyeing right now is by UDPower. I came across UDPower while watching Cathy Changes Lanes on YouTube.
I’ll probably wait till early next year to purchase it, but I’m already so excited!
Once I use the Goal Zero a few more times, I’ll update this post, but so far it’s great, and I recommend it if you want a small, lightweight solar panel.