Dark Energy Spectre Solar Panel | First Look

In today’s modern world, having an alternate way to power your electronic devices is becoming more of a necessity rather than a luxury. Some of the problems with solar panels the last few years have been portability and durability. That was until Dark Energy released our featured piece of gear, the Dark Energy Spectre Solar Panel.

We are excited to get this panel in our hands and begin testing, which will continue through the Alaska winter and into the Spring and Summer months. I want to say upfront this panel will be featured again in September 2024 so we can see how it holds up after almost a year of use. But lets dig into the details on why we are so excited about the Spectre Panel and feel it’s a real game changer.

Dark Energy Spectre Solar Panel Overview:

Packability & Power Output To Weight Ration

Let’s talk about the packability aspect of the Spectre first. Unrolled it measures almost 17” long x 14” wide and about 1/16^th of an inch thick. And it’s flexible enough to easily roll up into any backpack or storage tube. Both Dark Energy and The Gear Bunker have storage and transport recommendations below.

The Spectre is extremely light hitting the scales at 8.9 ounces (252 grams). So it’s easily packable for hikers and people who are fans of long multi-day hikes. The panel outputs roughly 2.0 Watts per ounce of weight which is roughly 4 times the amount of traditional 18 Watt panels (0.5 watt per ounce on average).

So, in a nutshell you get a solar panel that charges your gear faster than other panels, is lighter than its competition, and can roll up in a tube for easy transport for almost any occasion. The Dark Energy Spectre is clearly piling on the attributes quickly.

Durability

We mentioned the durability aspect of the Spectre, so let’s dig into them. Each panel comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating but what does that mean to you as the user? To pass the criteria and branded IPX7 Rated a device must withstand the following tests.

• Immersed in water up to 1 meter (39 inches) deep for 30 minutes and still operate
• Dripping water on face
• Spraying water on face (not high pressure)
• Water on face at multiple angles

So, we know it’s waterproof which is a huge plus, but what about durability standards and testing? Dark Energy reports that the Spectre can carry up to 200 lbs. of direct pressure in its crush rating testing. In simple terms, if it falls over or even gets stepped on accidentally by your child, dog, or wife you don’t have to worry about the panel suddenly not working. While standing on your solar panels isn’t advisable, it’s nice to know they’re designed to withstand the bumps and bruises that sometimes happen on camping trips. We have looked at the size, power, and durability now let’s look at some features Dark Energy packed into this solar panel.

Features

One problem many people have with solar panels is they aren’t completely sure if the panel is getting enough direct light or if it’s working well. This is where the design team at Dark Energy really nailed it. This panel comes with a Sun Efficiency Meter built into it so you can quickly and easily see how well your panel is working. This simple feature will help users during set up and use to ultimately allow the panel to be more efficient.

Once you have a healthy amount of sunlight using the Sun Efficiency Meter, all you need to do to charge your favorite device at that point is plug in the USB cord and wait. Dark Energy claims on average it takes 4 hours with optimum sun to fully recharge a smartphone. And what we have seen is that this is consistent with our testing. It’s worth mentioning that Dark Energy also manufactures four different battery packs ranging from 3000-10,000 mAh that can also be recharged with the Spectre.

One feature that might be overlooked when examining the build quality and the general lay out of the Spectre is the different ways it can be positioned or mounted to receive light. The semi flexible nature of this panel allows the user to mount it in different locations. Such as across a backpack while hiking or across the rack of an ATV or across the rood of a tent or shelter.

To facilitate this easier Dark Energy included more than a dozen points on the Spectre Solar Panel where you can secure the panel during use. The optional Accessory Kit contains additional support features such as aluminum stakes, an adjustable stand, and a nylon storage tube. In our testing since we did not have the accessory kit available. So we used good old fashioned 550 paracord and small bungee cords.

Specifications By The Numbers

Dimensions:

• Length: 16.875”
• Width: 14.375”
• Weight: 8.9 Oz
• Thickness: 1/16” (0.0625)

Output:

• 15 Watts
• USB-A Port

Misc Specs

• MSRP: $229.00
• IPX-7 Waterproof
• Optional Accessory Kit Contains: Stand with Bracing, Carry Tube, Aluminum Stakes ($19.99)
• 2 Year Warranty
• Available in Black or Orange

Closing Thoughts

During our testing we have found that the Dark Energy Spectre stands out above other portable solar panel manufacturers. In general, comparable models are foldable panels as opposed to being able to be rolled up like the Spectre. This gives the Spectre the edge. And when you see that other offerings are usually 10 watts, the Spectre produces 15 watts. In terms of pricing the Dark Energy Spectre retails for nearly the same price as panels with lower output. Again a plus for the Spectre.

The Spectre design team has put a lot of features and thoughts into this panel. And it shows when we break it down and compare it to the competition. What you get with the Spectre is a panel that is typically a better value and just exceeds the competition in every measurable metric. Overall, it represents excellent value to our readers, and I endorse it.

Who Is This Best For?

The important question, who would benefit from this panel? The short answer is anyone who camps, hikes, overland travels or takes long trips of any type. And wants to have a free and passive power source to charge their electronic devices or power packs. Even if you only toss your gear in the car or truck and go to the state campground, the Spectre can easily be part of your camping gear. Allowing you to charge your kids iPads or electronic devices without having to start your vehicle repeatedly. Or having the kids ask for the keys to plug their device in.

This isn’t meant to overlook the preparedness community in any way shape or form. As someone who worked in 6 years in Emergency Management and Personal Preparedness I immediately thought of the situations where the Spectre would be invaluable. The Spectre could be used to recharge many of the newer style hand portable HAM or GMRS radios since many now feature USB charging options. This could also be used with a wide range of rechargeable flashlights and lanterns. Once you stop and think about the Spectre in this capacity its importance only grows.

 We hope you enjoyed this first look at the Dark Energy Spectre Solar Panel. I want to thank the team at Dark Energy for sending us this panel to test and evaluate and thank you our readers and viewers for taking time out of your day to check out the site. If you have any experience with this panel or others drop us a line below and let us know your thoughts. If you have any ideas on ways, we can further test the Spectre we are open to those ideas as well.

Stay Safe and Happy Holidays