Which EcoFlow Solar Panels Work with RIVER Power Stations? The 8A and 13A Limits Explained
Which EcoFlow solar panels work with RIVER 2, RIVER 3 and the bigger RIVER models? The 8A and 13A input limits explained, with verified OK and not-OK panel checks.
Checked against the sources listed below. How we research.
Key takeaways
- RIVER 2, RIVER 3 and RIVER 3 UPS accept 11-30V and 8A (110W). Only the EcoFlow 45W and 60W panels pass our checks: one 45W, one 60W, or two 60W in parallel.
- RIVER 2 Max and RIVER 2 Pro accept 11-50V and 13A (220W). The 160W (single, or two in series), the 220W (single) and the 400W Lightweight (single) all fit.
- RIVER 3 Plus, RIVER 3 Max and RIVER 3 Max Plus accept 11-55V and 13A (220W). The same panels fit, plus the 125W Bifacial (one, or two in parallel).
- Not OK on any RIVER: the 400W Rigid (13.79A Isc). Not OK on 8A models: 160W, 220W, 125W Bifacial and 400W Lightweight.
- The 125W Bifacial's 50V Voc rules it out on RIVER 2/RIVER 3 (30V) and on RIVER 2 Max/Pro (50V, no safety margin).
On this page
On the 8A RIVER models (RIVER 2, RIVER 3, RIVER 3 UPS), use the EcoFlow 45W or 60W panel. On the 13A models (RIVER 2 Max/Pro and the RIVER 3 Plus family), the EcoFlow 160W, 220W and 400W Lightweight all fit, and the RIVER 3 Plus family can also take the 125W Bifacial. The 400W Rigid fits no RIVER.
Two kinds of RIVER input
Every RIVER has one solar/car input with a voltage range, a current limit and a watt cap:
| Group | Models | Voltage | Current | Solar cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8A | RIVER 2 (Shopee · Lazada), RIVER 3 (Shopee · Lazada), RIVER 3 UPS (Shopee · Lazada) | 11-30V | 8A | 110W |
| 13A, 50V | RIVER 2 Max (Shopee · Lazada), RIVER 2 Pro (Shopee · Lazada) | 11-50V | 13A | 220W |
| 13A, 55V | RIVER 3 Plus (Shopee · Lazada), RIVER 3 Max (Shopee · Lazada), RIVER 3 Max Plus (Shopee · Lazada) | 11-55V | 13A | 220W |
Our check passes a setup only if the total Voc is at least 5% below the voltage limit and the total Isc (short-circuit current) is within the current limit. Watts above the cap aren’t a problem: the station uses up to its cap.
8A models: RIVER 2, RIVER 3, RIVER 3 UPS
| Panel | Result | Usable | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45W × 1 | OK | 45W | DC5521-to-XT60i, included |
| 60W × 1 | OK* | 60W | Solar (MC4) to XT60i, included |
| 60W × 2 parallel | OK* | 110W | Plus an EcoFlow Solar Parallel Connection Cable, sold separately |
| 60W × 2 series | Not OK (51.2V > 30V) | ||
| 160W | Not OK (9.1A > 8A) | ||
| 220W | Not OK (12.4A > 8A) | ||
| 125W Bifacial | Not OK (50V > 30V) | ||
| 400W Lightweight / 400W Rigid | Not OK (voltage and current too high) |
*EcoFlow’s own pages disagree on the 60W panel’s specs, so we checked it with the worst-case figures (25.6V Voc, 3.5A Isc). Check the label on your panel.
A note on the 160W: EcoFlow’s RIVER 2 manual lists a 160W portable panel as an accessory, so EcoFlow appears to treat it as usable, with the station presumably capping input at 110W. We still don’t recommend it, because its Isc is above the published 8A limit.
13A models: RIVER 2 Max/Pro and RIVER 3 Plus family
| Panel | RIVER 2 Max / Pro (50V) | RIVER 3 Plus / Max / Max Plus (55V) | Cable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45W × 1 | OK, 45W | OK, 45W | Included |
| 60W × 1, or 2–3 parallel | OK, 60–180W* | OK, 60–180W* | Parallel cable sold separately |
| 60W × 2 series | Not OK (51.2V) | OK, 120W* | MC4 leads join |
| 160W × 1 | OK, 160W | OK, 160W | MC4-to-XT60i, included |
| 160W × 2 series | OK, 220W | OK, 220W | MC4 leads join male-to-female |
| 160W × 2 parallel | Not OK (18.2A) | Not OK (18.2A) | |
| 220W × 1 | OK, 220W | OK, 220W | MC4-to-XT60i, included |
| 400W Lightweight × 1 | OK, 220W (caution) | OK, 220W (caution) | Built-in XT60 |
| 125W Bifacial | Not OK (50V, no margin) | OK: 1 (125W) or 2 parallel (220W) | XT60W-to-XT60i, included |
| 400W Rigid | Not OK (13.79A) | Not OK (13.79A) |
Caution on the 400W Lightweight: it is bifacial, and its back-side current (13.5A BNPI) would exceed 13A. Its standard current (12.2A) is within the limit.
The simplest full-power choice for any 13A RIVER is one EcoFlow 220W panel: one panel, cable in the box, 220W usable.
Plug-and-play portable panels can be set up by the owner following the manual. Anything wired to the house, a breaker panel, the roof or the grid needs a licensed electrician or PEE and an LGU electrical permit.
What to buy
- RIVER 3: Shopee · Lazada, with the EcoFlow 45W on Lazada
- RIVER 2: Shopee · Lazada, with the EcoFlow 60W on Lazada
- RIVER 2 Max: Shopee · Lazada, with the EcoFlow 220W on Lazada
- RIVER 3 Plus: Shopee · Lazada, with the 220W or two EcoFlow 125W Bifacial in parallel
Check today’s price before you buy.
Bottom line
On 8A RIVERs, stick to the 45W or 60W. On 13A RIVERs, a single 220W panel is the easy full-power pick, and the RIVER 3 Plus family adds the 125W Bifacial option. Skip the 400W Rigid for every RIVER.
Run your own numbers
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the EcoFlow 160W panel with a RIVER 2?
What is the best EcoFlow solar panel for a RIVER 3?
Why does the 8A limit matter if the panel's watts are under the cap?
Can I wire two panels in series on a RIVER 2 Max?
Sources
We link to primary sources wherever possible. Rates, rules and prices change — check the latest version with the publisher.
- RIVER 2 user manual (11-30V 8A, 110W) (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow
- RIVER 3 user manual (RIVER 3 / RIVER 3 UPS: 11-30V 8A, 110W) (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow
- RIVER 2 Max user manual (11-50V 13A, 220W) (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow
- RIVER 2 Pro user manual (11-50V 13A, 220W) (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow
- RIVER 3 Plus user manual (11-55V 13A, 220W) (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow
- EcoFlow 45W Portable Solar Panel (Type-C) user manual (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow
- EcoFlow 60W Portable Solar Panel (spec table) (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow Philippines
- NextGen 160W Portable Solar Panel user manual (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow
- NextGen 220W Portable Solar Panel user manual (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow
- 125W Bifacial Modular Solar Panel user manual (opens in a new tab) — EcoFlow