Where the numbers come from and how they're checked

Data sources

All technical data lives as checked files in the site's source code. Every figure carries its unit and at least one source. If a source is missing, the site build fails, so an unsourced value cannot be published.

• Manufacturer pages and manuals take priority. If a manual is only available on a third-party site, it is labeled "manufacturer manual, third-party host".
• Retailer listings only appear where no manufacturer source exists for that value, and are labeled as such.
• Missing values stay empty. Nothing is estimated or borrowed from similar models. This especially affects idle draw, which manufacturers rarely publish: on station pages it only appears where a source backs it. The simulator needs a value and otherwise uses an estimate that is clearly labeled as such and can be changed.
• Where sources disagree, the manufacturer figure applies for now and the conflict is logged for review.

Currently 80 of the source references for stations and panels come directly from the manufacturer, 9 are manufacturer manuals on third-party hosts and 16 are retailer listings. Sources are listed on every station page below the figures.

Solar panel check logic

Each of the 220 combinations of solar input and panel is checked against the station's limits, in this order:

1. Voltage with cold factor 1.1. The panel's open-circuit voltage (Voc), times the number of panels in series, is multiplied by 1.1. That is roughly −10 °C cell temperature, because voltage rises in the cold. If the Voc at standard test conditions already exceeds the station's limit, the panel doesn't fit. If only the cold-adjusted value exceeds it, less than 10% margin remains and the result is "unclear".
2. Exception: manufacturer recommendation. If the manufacturer explicitly recommends a pairing, it counts as fitting even with a thin cold margin. The table then shows "cold margin below 10%". This applies to 4 of 11 manufacturer-recommended pairings.
3. Current limits. The short-circuit current (Isc) per string must stay below the maximum input current; that sets how many strings may run in parallel. If a panel delivers more current than the input accepts, the station clips it, but only if the manufacturer documents that current limiting. Without documentation, the result is "unclear". Some stations allow less current at low voltage (for example 10 A below 32 V); that is taken into account. If Isc is unpublished, the current at maximum power (Imp) is used and the result is flagged as optimistic.
4. Power. If the panel is stronger than the solar input, the station only takes its maximum. That is not a reason to exclude it; usable power is simply capped.
5. Manufacturer rules. If a manual explicitly rules out a pairing, it counts as not fitting even when voltage and current would work on paper. Example: on the DJI Power 1000, a panel on each XT60 input may be at most 200 W and must stay below 10 A.
6. Connector. Finally the connector chain is checked: does the plug fit directly, is the cable included, is an adapter needed, or is only a combination of third-party adapters possible. If a panel's connector type is not confirmed in the sources, the result is "unclear".

The five statuses

Fits directly 44

Electrically within all limits; the plug fits or the cable is included.

With adapter 56

Electrically compatible; needs an adapter cable sold separately.

Special wiring 31

Electrically compatible, but only with third-party adapters or wiring the manufacturer does not document.

Unclear 66

A manufacturer figure is missing or the margin is too thin. Not dangerous, just not confirmed.

Doesn't fit 23

Exceeds a station limit or is ruled out by the manufacturer.

Numbers: count among 220 combinations.

What "unclear" means

"Unclear" does not mean "dangerous". It means a figure needed for a firm answer is missing: for example the panel's open-circuit voltage, its connector type, or manufacturer documentation of current limiting. A cold margin below 10% also leads to "unclear".

With 66 of 220 combinations, "unclear" is currently the largest group. In these cases, check the panel's nameplate or ask the manufacturer. Cross-brand adapters are not officially documented; check polarity with a multimeter before connecting.

Runtime model

The runtime simulator calculates as follows:

• Usable energy = rated capacity × depth of discharge (LFP 95%, NMC 85%) × battery health (Conservative 80%, Typical 90%, Optimistic 100%) × cold derating.
• Inverter losses have two parts: while any AC device runs, the station's idle draw is added. On top comes a load-dependent share sized so that at full rated load the efficiency is 85 / 90 / 92% (idle is already part of that, so it is not counted twice). DC devices use 95%.
• Fridges and freezers only run part of the time. The duty cycle follows from the annual consumption on the energy label (default 200 kWh in DACH, 370 kWh in the US for a refrigerator, editable) and the running power. It is 30% higher in the conservative scenario and 15% lower in the optimistic one.
• Solar = panel watts × monthly peak sun hours at the location × real-world factor (60 / 70 / 80%), spread across the day by sun angle and capped at the station's solar input.
• The simulation runs hour by hour for up to 7 days, starting from a full battery.
• Device wattages are typical values, not measurements of specific models. You can change them in the simulator; your device's nameplate is what counts.

Monthly peak sun hours come from PVGIS 5.3 by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, with NREL PVWatts as a fallback for the US. The grid is 0.25° for Germany, Austria and Switzerland and 0.5° for the US. The simulator finds your location from the postal code; coordinates per postal code come from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).

Check date

Solar compatibility was checked on Sep 24, 2026. Manufacturers change data sheets and firmware; the current manual always takes precedence.

Go to the solar panel check