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One challenge of working with sheet goods is doing a really wide cut, for example cutting a 4 x 8 sheet into two 4x4 sheets.
The problem I run into is that I can't reach across a 48" board or panel, so if I am using a rail saw, it is difficult and requires awkward things like climbing on top of the table. Of course, it is easy with a panel saw and frame that holds the board upright, but I do not have a panel saw system.
I lay the sheet on top of a 4x8 piece of 2in pink foam insulation board and then just walk/crawl on top of it while pushing the saw along the track. Unless it's a really delicate material, I've never had any trouble. You could also lay a moving blanket and/or a thicker plank on top of where you crawl to spread out the load and avoid any scratches or damage.
For this purpose a clamped guide batten and a handsaw (I first read the post thinking panel saw in the handtool sense, with slight confusion!) are probably the most flexible and frugal solution. For support, this would be best paired with a few saw horses and 2x4s as commented above.
Of course this depends on how often you'll need to do it, and how precise you need the cut. With a sharp saw and a bit of repetition you might end up with similar results to more expensive options without needing another powerpoint.
When I was in the trades we use various guides and rails and such to break down sheet goods. When you run out of arm when pushing the saw you just have to reposition yourself safely. What safely means is dependent on how many people are doing the cut and how comfortable you are with the saw.
In practice, what this amounted to is:
A circular saw and a sawboard make this straightforward.
A sawboard is a home-made guide consisting of a straight-edge fastened permanently to a wooden base plate. As original build the base plate is too wide. The final step in building the sawboard is to run the circular saw along the straight-edge to cut the base plate to exactly the correct width. In use the edge of the base plate can be lined up exactly with where the cut is required.
