With the world slowly turning to green products, make your own contribution to helping the world become a greener place. Instead of using non-renewable sources of energy, turn to the abundant, renewable sources provided by nature itself.
Solar Panels are becoming increasingly popular due to their distinct advantages. Use your solar panel at home, or for outdoor use. Most of these solar panels work even when you are going off-the-grid.
If you are still confused about which solar panel is best for you, here is a review of some of the best Solar Panels you can buy:
1. Renogy Eclipse – Bringing Efficiency and Sleekness Into One
By choosing to go green, you are already off to a great start in saving the environment! The Renogy Eclipse Solar Panel is ideal for those who don’t want to use a big, bulky product for their power needs.
Made up of monocrystalline solar cells, the Renogy Eclipse allows you to absorb maximum energy through direct sunlight, and gives you an astounding 100 watts of power for all your charging needs. The sleek design and build quality of the product make it perfect to carry around with you on trips.
The solar panels are built of a black coloured corrosion resistant frame which is built from aluminium. This makes the build quality strong and durable enough to withstand harsh conditions.
Overall this is an almost perfect product, and we cannot find any flaws in it. If there was one thing that could have been better, that might be the durability of the solar panels, since due to their sleekness, they can be more prone to falling.
Pros:
- Works in all weather conditions
- Sleek, compact model
- Can be used in spaces with minimal room available
Cons:
- It is slightly heavy to carry, but still manageable
2. Renogy Solar Starter Kit – Begin Your Solar Power Journey With Renogy
With competition fiercely increasing in the market, Solar Panels are being created to be more advanced with better technology. The Renogy Solar Starter Kit comes built with a Maximum Power Point Tracking Technology, so that you can get higher efficiency (up to 30% more) than before.
This Renogy Solar Starter Kit comes with 200 Watt monocrystalline cells, which means you will be able to achieve higher power and more efficiency at the same size and rate.
Inbuilt with a charge controller, you never have to worry about your power being controlled efficiently anymore. You can even expand your solar kit to an amazing 400 watts for all your power charging needs! Use your solar starter kit at home or outdoors; at a cabin, trailer, camping, trekking, etc.
An amazing kit to start off your solar power journey with, the Renogy Solar Starter Kit is near perfect, with just a few drawbacks. The kit does not come with any instructions, which might be difficult for first time users, and neither does the kit come with any kind of sealing material to cover the holes created by the mounts.
Other than this, it is an amazing purchase for first time users.
Pros:
- Can be upgraded to 400 watts
- Comes with an in built power controller
Cons:
- No instruction manual
- No batteries included
- No sealing material for holes drilled
3. Renogy Solar Bundle Kit – A New Addition To Your Solar Family
The Renogy Solar Bundle Kit serves as an addition or an expansion to your existing solar panel kit. The Renogy Solar Bundle Kit comes with not one, but two monocrystalline solar panels, each giving you 100 watts of uninterrupted energy.
The build quality of this product is extremely sturdy and durable; as it is able to withstand harsh weather conditions and low pressure water jets. Set up your Renogy Solar Bundle Kit outdoors for extended use without having to worry about damage due to wear and tear. This product is guaranteed to last you for quite a few decades, and if you face any issues, the company warranty will cover you for your problems.
The Renogy Solar Bundle Kit can withstand wind speeds of up to 5400 Pa as well as snow loads of 5400 Pa. simply set up this easy to install device and enjoy an uninterrupted source of power, no matter what the weather conditions outside!
The kit comes with an extension charge controller; however, the charge controller is very close to the solar bundle kit. You might need to get an extension wire for this according to your situation, making this the one and only drawback on the Renogy Solar Bundle Kit.
Pros:
- Comes with a charge controller kit
- Sleek and compact
- Works in any weather condition
Cons:
- The charge controller is very close to the solar bundle kit, and you might need to purchase an additional extension wire or long wiring system
4. Mohoo Solar Panel Charger – Super Light and Flexible For All You Travel Needs
An all new and improved solar panel, this model from Mohoo comes with some unique features which are definitely worth the buy! This super flexible solar panel charger comes with the junction box on the front of the panels, making it more accessible for you. The four corners of the solar panels have been carved into arcs using a laser so that you do not sustain any injuries which installing the product. An internal blocking diode in the solar panels ensures that there is no reverse current drain at night, so that none of your power is lost. This means less wastage and more savings.
The Mohoo solar panels pack an amazing 100 watts of power, but the lightweight model makes it easy for you to transport it from one place to another. Weighing in at simply 5.43 lbs, this light and portable device is perfect for all your outdoor power charging needs.
The only thing you will need to look out for in the Mohoo solar panel charger is even though it is mentioned that the panels are very flexible, you cannot bend the item too much, as it will damage the monocrystalline solar cells.
Pros:
- Can be used on an infinite number of purposes; cars, boats, cabin, solar street lamp, ac, tv, motorcycle, RV, and many more
- Borderless design makes it look more sleek
- Arched corners to avoid injuries
Cons:
- The wiring can be mislabelled sometimes
- Slightly flimsy
5. Genssi Polycrystalline Solar Panel – Perfect For All You Off The Grid Application Needs
Ever wanted to go off the grid but were not sure how to get a reliable power source for your supplies? The Genssi Polycrystalline Solar Panel is the answer to all your prayers. This solar panel comes with 2 sets of polycrystalline solar cells, giving you optimum power at the lowest time and rate. You will also get a Y splitter adapter with this solar panel kit for your other needs.
The pre drilled holes at the back of the solar panel allow for easy installation, while the EL tested solar panels guarantee that you won’t face any spot heating issues.
The solar panels come with an inbuilt bypass diode. This ensures that you get a continuous power supply, even if there is low sunlight, shade, or weather changes. You will not face any power drop issues with the Genssi Polycrystalline solar panels.
The only drawback on this otherwise highly efficient and advanced equipment is that it does not come with an in built charge controller.
Pros:
- Can be used in any weather condition
- Easy to install
- Guaranteed no hot spots in solar modules
Cons:
- No in built charge controller
6. Lensun Solar Panel Kit – Where Design Meets Functionality
Inbuilt with a more advanced, Japanese technology, the Lensun Solar panel kit comes with an ETFE material as opposed to the traditional PET material. This material allows your solar panel to absorb more light and be more efficient than other solar panels. There is less reflection of light, allowing more absorption to take place, eventually leading to higher power output. They come with two MC4 connectors as well, one make connector and another female connector.
The entire back panel of the solar module is made up of fiberglass, making it a more sturdy and durable choice of solar panels for your use. The stain resistant material is easy to maintain, and gets automatically cleaned if kept outside in the rain. However, these adverse weather conditions do not affect the functionality of the solar panels.
The one, clear drawback of the Lensun solar panels is that they need to be handled with extreme care, as the solar panels are prone to damage if they are bent too far back.
Pros:
- Highly water and weather resistant
- Superior quality solar panels
- Fibreglass covering making it more durable
Cons:
- Prone to damage if not handled with care
7. Komaes Polycrystalline Solar Starter Kit – Small Design, Big Effciency!
The Komaes Polycrystalline solar starter kit comes with 4, 400 watt polycrystalline panels. This gives you a huge power output and efficiency. But even though these numbers sound big, the product itself is extremely sleek and compact, allowing you to easily carry and install it any place you need.
The PV solar panel diodes come pre installed for your ease, and you get two 30 inch panels with an MC4 connector with this solar starter kit. This solar panel starter kit can be used both for domestic as well as industrial use, making it versatile. The strong and sturdy built allow the solar panels to be used outdoors for extended periods of time, without any damage sustained.
Overall the Komaes gives you a high performance solar panel starter kit which you can buy when you need more than one or two solar panels. The only drawback we could find in the Komaes solar panel is that is it not water resistant, unlike other solar panels.
Pros:
- 400 watt solar panels, quantity of 4
- High quality aluminium frame
Cons:
- It is not water resistant or water proof
8. HQST Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit – A Great Way To Kickstart Your Green Journey
HQST has built this model of monocrystalline solar panel kit specifically for customers who are new to solar panels. It is made in a simplistic design and technology for you to begin your solar panel journey. The pre drilled holes in the back panel allow you to easily install the solar panels, and the Z bracket let you mount and secure the equipment in place without the use of any other tools.
The HQST solar panel kit is completely grid independent, and provides you with 500Wh of power output per day without any hassle. Its silence technology does not great any disturbance while it is being used.
The HSQT monocrystalline solar panel kit is a great step for starters in the solar panel using world, however, the one drawback of this product is that the back panel does not allow for proper dissipation of heat. This means that if you mount the solar panels on a metal roof, you might face over heating issues. Other than that, it is a great product, as it comes with all the mounting hardware necessary. You can mount it on your metal roof using the mounting equipment by keeping a little space for heat dissipation.
Pros:
- Easy to use for first time users
- Comes with all mounting equipment’s
Cons:
- Slightly heavy
- Back panel can over heat
9. HQST Polycrystalline Solar Panel Kit
Similar to the previously mentioned model, the HSQT polycrystalline solar panel kit comes with polycrystalline cells, making them ever more advanced and efficient in absorbing sun rays and giving a good power output.
This new model from HQST allows users to use the solar panels for a variety of off the grid applications, such as when you are going camping, trekking, on a boat, a cabin, on your RV’s etc. you can also use this solar panel kit on water pumping systems, signalling systems, and many other off grid system applications.
The HQST solar panels come with a 100 W polycrystalline solar cell technology, with a 12 V solar panel. All the necessary mounting equipment and instructions are provided with the kit itself, making it an ideal starter kit for those who are new to using solar panels.
The HQST solar panel kit comes with an inbuilt charge controller, however, the only drawback in this solar panel kit being that there are limited instructions for the charge controller. This can be a slight disadvantage to first time users.
Pros:
- Very simple installation process and easy to use
- In built charge controller
Cons:
- Need a separate wiring for the battery and load side
- Not great power outputs
- No clear instructions on charge controller
10. Poweradd Solar Panels – Foldable Solar Panels For All Your Charging Needs
Even with a charge controller, it can sometimes be a little tough to constantly monitor the power distribution. However, with the Poweradd Solar Panels, you will never need to worry about this issue again!
The Poweradd solar panel charger comes with an automatic technology that can adjust the current as well as the voltage so that you can get the maximum power output. The advanced technology of the solar cells give you a 22 to 25% power output, which is extremely superior and reliable! The dual port output allow you to charge up a number of devices at the same time, like your phones, laptops, tv, and also protect your device against over heating or over charging issues which can otherwise damage your device.
The 100 Watt foldable charger is built in a way that you can easily fit it into spaces, and it comes with an amazing 10 laptop connectors, 1 Dc cable, 1 USB cable, 1 foldable charger as well as 1 cigarette charger! So many facilities all for the value of one great product.
The one simple drawback you might face in this product is that the power voltage is auto adjustable; you will not be able to manually adjust it.
Pros:
- Can be used for a number of charging facilities at the same time
- Easily foldable
- Automatically adjusts current and voltage
Cons:
- No mounting stand equipment
- Slightly difficult to plug devices as the ports are at the bottom of the solar panel device
11. AcoPower Solar Panel – Get High Module Conversion Energy for First Time Solar Users
The Acopower Solar panel kit has been specially designed for customers who are fairly new to using solar panels. This is why; the solar panel kit has been designed as simplistically and minimalistic ally as possible. The solar panels are easy to install and use.
The Acopower solar panel kit comes along with a solar charge controller, adjustable mounting equipment made of aluminium, PV cables, and a professional portable package so that you can carry your solar panels when you are going off the grid.
The power supply along with the solar panel kit is also portable, and you can mount up your solar panels anywhere with great ease and comfort.
The foldable solar panels can be opened up and adjusted to cover a large surface area for maximum absorption of sun light and more power output for you.
Overall, the Acopower solar panel is a great starter kit if you are new to using solar panels. It is extremely easy to use and install, and is very adjustable to your needs. The pre installed solar charge controller ensures that you system does not over charge, over heat, over discharge or experience any kind of reserve charging.
Another almost perfect solar panel kit, this deserves a bit thumbs up from all its users. If there was any draw back in this product, it would probably be the fact that it is slightly heavy, but not uncomfortable to carry.
Pros:
- High quality monocrystalline solar cells
- Pre installed solar charge controller
Cons:
- Slightly heavy
12. GreeSonic Solar Panels – Go Green with GreeSonic!
The new and advanced technology efficient solar panels by GreeSonic come equipped with a number of advantages, giving it an edge over other solar panels in the market. The GreeSonic Solar panels are built with a high quality photovoltaic solar panel which is completely corrosion resistant. These solar panels allow the modules to absorb a maximum of 21.5% of solar power, making them highly efficient.
The solar panel is made up of ETFE and Fibreglass, making it extremely sturdy and durable. Use it for extended periods of time outdoors without having to worry about water or weather damage to your solar panel.
The flexible and bendable solar panels can be flexed to a 20 degree curve so that you can place your solar panels on any irregular surface. The solar panels are water resistant, which means you can easily carry them on your boats, yacht, or even keep them outside during the rainy season.
The build quality is extremely high. The solar panels are just 2.5mm thick, the entire product weighing in at only 2.5 kgs. Yet, this powerful solar panel packs in 100 W of energy for all your uses.
The solar panels are very easy to install as they are borderless or frameless, and come with four holes drilled at the four corners, if you need to mount up your solar panels.
The only drawback on this product would be that the back panels do not come with an adhesive, so you will need to purchase and use an adhesive of your own choice, or you can fasten it with grommets.
Pros:
- Super flexible and easy to install
- Made of superior fibreglass and ETFE material
- Lightweight and easy to carry
Cons:
- No in built adhesive at the back of the solar panels, need to be purchased separately
13. Eco-Worthy Solar Panel – Easiest To Use and Carry Along, Anywhere
An extremely simple and minimalistic design, the Eco worthy Solar Panels are foldable and easy to carry. The solar panels come with a handle bar, so that you can fold them up and carry them like a suit case to any location you wish. To use them, simply open it and set it up anywhere you like. The monocrystalline solar cells absorb minimum solar energy while leaving a small footprint.
The Eco worthy solar panels come with a pre installed solar charge controller, which means that you do not need to purchase and connect another solar controller for this device. Easy to use, simple open it, face it towards the sun and you are ready to use your eco worthy solar panels!
The drawback of this solar panel is that the solar cells are not protected with a case, so they are prone to damage or breaking, and the solar panel works only in direct sunlight.
Pros:
- Pre installed solar charge controller
- Very easy to set up and transport
Cons:
- Fragile as solar panels are not protected and are prone to damage or breaking
- Works only when in direct sun light
14. Eco-Worthy Polycrystalline Solar Panel – Higher Technology for All Your Camping Needs
The Eco Worthy polycrystalline solar panel comes with an advanced polycrystalline solar cell technology. This allows your solar panels to absorb even more sun light, give higher power outputs with minimal wastage and leave a smaller footprint while doing so.
The pre installed and pre wired battery charging and solar charge controller makes this solar panel very easy to use even for first time users. The foldable technology of the solar panels allow you to fold it up into a suit case structure so you can carry it without a fuss on all your camping trips, hiking, trekking and other journeys.
The pre installed solar charger protects your solar panel system from over charging, overheating, reverse power draining and over loading issues.
The solar panels come with legs which are a plus point, however, the main drawback on this solar panel is that the legs are not very sturdy.
Pros:
- Pre installed solar charge controller
- Easy and portable
Cons:
- Delicate legs of the solar panel for mounting
15. WindyNation Solar Panels – Advanced Features for Advanced Users
The WindyNation Solar Panels can be given one extra star as compared to other solar panels in the same range. This is because these solar panels come with a few additional features which make it very easy to use.
The WindyNation solar panels provide you with 200 watts of uninterrupted solar power for all of your charging needs. The solar charge controller has advanced features, such as a LCD panel which displays the voltage, battery state, DC load draw, and the solar panel status.
The WindyNation solar panels can be extended in case you want to add more solar panels. The advanced charge controller ensures that you do not over charge or over load your batteries.
Overall, the WindyNation Solar Panels are quite advanced due to their LCD panel feature. However, the only drawback you might face could be with some of the connectors, as they might need to be cut to fit in to your adjustments.
Pros:
- LCD solar panel with great display
- Good power output
Cons:
- Connectors need to be improved
16. Aleko Solar Module Panel – Simplistic, Futuristic Solar Panels
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CDWUJKE/ref=dp_sp_detail2?psc=1
A perfect balance of power, technology and nature, the Aleko Solar Module Panel comes in a simplistic design so that you can use it easily without any hassle.
A 24V monocrystalline solar panel, the product can product up to 100W of solar power for all of your charging needs. It is easy to install and use. The sleek, black design of the Aleko solar module panel makes it even more popular amongst users, as it is compact, easily portable and can be set up anywhere.
At the same price range, other solar module panels offer just 12 V, while the Aleko solar module panel is offering double the voltage. This means that fewer of the solar panels are required to power the same device which might have otherwise required more power from other solar panels.
The only drawback of this solar panel would be that the high voltage also comes with a danger of getting a shock, if not used carefully.
Pros:
- At the same price, other solar panels give only 12 V while Aleko solar module panel gives 24 V
- Simple to use
- Sleek and handy
- No need for voltage regulator
Cons:
- The high voltage solar panel can give shocks if not used carefully
Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide for Solar Panels:
Solar panels are being used worldwide now for various power uses. You too can start using a solar panel by starting off with a good solar panel starter kit, and slowly using adding more and more panels to your collection.
How can you choose a good solar panel for your needs? :
- Make sure the solar panel kit comes with a full set of instructions
- The solar panel kit should come with mounting equipment
- Compare the solar panel efficiency with other models in the market, choosing the one which provides maximum efficiency and output
- Compare the cost of the solar panels to their relative efficiency
- Make an informed decision when it comes to choose a monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar cell panel
In conclusion, these are the top 16 solar panels which are very reasonably priced and provide good power output. It is imperative for all of us individuals to slowly turn to practicing greener methods of using power sources. This is not only good for the environment, but it also helps you to save power with minimal wastage, leaving a smaller carbon footprint in the world.
Mark is a contributor and author at FindTinyHouse.com. He loves exploring tiny houses and sharing his experiences and ideas. Mark lives in a tiny house himself and enjoys inspiring people to live simply.