Everything we do now seems to need electricity.
Whether it’s finding a recipe for dinner or using a map, it really is amazing how much we can do on a smartphone!
The trouble is that batteries don’t last forever, especially if you are off-grid in a camper, unwinding in a remote cabin, or there’s a power outage.
Plus traditional methods of generating power are killing our planet!
Enter the magic of solar panels…
No longer are they a high-tech solution only available to the likes of Elon Musk.
Now we can all benefit from solar panels to add carbon-free electricity to our lives.
And a popular solution is the 100 watt solar panel because it offers incredible versatility and value for money.
I am sure you know this already, it’s why you’re ready to find what you can run with a 100 watt solar panel…
So let’s jump into all the important information to help you with your solar journey.
How Much Power Does a 100 Watt Solar Panel Generate?
The amount of power a solar panel generates is dependent on the sunlight it can absorb. On average during a sunny day, you can expect a 100W solar panel to generate between 200 – 500Wh of energy. This translates to around 20 – 40Ah of electricity.
Of course, you won’t be able to produce any new electricity at night. Plus on cloudy days the efficiency will be much less!
What Can a 100 Watt Solar Panel Run?
A 100 watt solar panel can run help you to run a number of small to medium size appliances along with portable electronics in an off-grid situation.
What exactly you can power very much depends on the rest of your solar system. If you want to run things directly from a solar panel you will struggle to do much more than charge batteries on smartphones, tablets, laptops, and similar devices.
The best way to run electronics using a 100 watt solar panel is by combining it with a deep cycle battery. This way you can charge the leisure battery using the solar panel and then power your appliances from the battery. This will allow you to deliver constant power to larger devices. For example, if you charge a 100Ah leisure battery with a 100W solar panel, you could then run things like games consoles, TVs, lighting, and mini-fridges.
Top Uses for 100W Solar Panels
There are loads of different things you can use a 100W solar panel for. Of course, the ultimate goal is to create electricity from the sun’s energy. Here’s a selection of places people use these products:
- Campervans and RVs
- Busses
- Boats
- Trucks
- Camping
- Home
- Sheds
- Hiking
- Backyard
- Emergency backup
- Remote cabins
Benefits of 100 Watt Solar Panels
These panels have become very popular in recent times for a number of reasons. Here are some of the great benefits:
- Not too big – They are a nice balance of size and weight so they are very versatile to mount on roofs, vehicles, or in remote locations.
- Price – The price is quite reasonable and can help save money in the long run. You can pick one up for as little as $80 to get you started!
- Connect in series – Many people connect multiple panels together in order to generate more energy.
- Versatility – Can be used to charge smaller portable devices like smartphones or even charge large leisure batteries.
- Free electricity – Once installed they will generate cost-free electricity, no more bills.
- Eco-friendly – Solar power is renewable energy that doesn’t contribute to global warming or toxic gasses. Carbon neutral baby…
Types of Solar Panels
Before we get stuck into some products it’s good for you to understand the different types of products available. We can split them into 2 different groups – cell type and mounting type
Cell Type
The cell type is the technology used to absorb sunlight. You’ll generally find monocrystalline cells or polycrystalline cells. Pay close attention to this!
Monocrystalline cells are a dark black color and are much more efficient.
Polycrystalline cells are a blue color, they are cheaper but less efficient.
Mounting Style
The mounting style of a solar panel is an important factor in how you plan to use it. If you want to mount it on the roof of a house or vehicle you will want something very different from a portable product.
Roof mountable panels have a rigid frame, usually aluminum, and glass covering to protect the cells. They will be durable and easier to mount in a static position.
Portable solar panels will often be foldable and more lightweight. You can lay them out in the sun or use a kickstand. They are not suitable for mounting in a permanent position.
Choosing the Best 100 Watt Solar Panel
By now should have a better understanding of what’s on offer when it comes to the best 100W solar panels available. When making your decision on what to buy there are a number of different factors to consider. Let’s go through the important points.
Cell type and efficiency
The type of solar cell and over efficiency of your panel are important in making sure you have something that actually generates the energy you require. The top options offer between a 21% and 23% conversion efficiency. Anything less than this and don’t waste your time as you’ll spend more time charging your battery than enjoying the benefits. Plus in low light conditions, this efficiency plays a big part in keeping you juiced up!
Generally, you’ll find two solar cell types. Monocrystalline products are a little more expensive but well worth the money in delivering a decent amount of energy. You can spot monocrystalline cells by their deep black color. You’ll also see polycrystalline cells which are cheaper but less efficient, really you should only think about these if you are on a tight budget. You can spot polycrystalline cells by their blue color.
In the long run, efficiency wins out over price every time!
Durability
Durability is the second key feature when it comes to solar systems. You want your panels to last a long time, a decade, or longer for the highest quality options. Key signs of a durable product are tempered glass which is impact resistant to protect your solar cells even if something falls on them. Plus anti-corrosion aluminum is a brilliant frame for rigid solar panels as it is a lightweight yet strong material.
You will also need something with a level of waterproofing and weatherproofing. After all, you can only use solar panels outside so at some point they will be faced with adverse weather. Of course, portable solar panels can be safely stored out of the rain. Roof-mounted units need to be able to stand up to all seasons including snow, wind, and rain for years on end.
Price
So how much does a 100 watt solar panel cost? On average you can pay between $80 to $250. Generally, the more expensive options offer much better durability and features. For example, a $250 product might also include a solar charge controller and higher waterproofing. Whereas, an $80 product may be less efficient and not as durable. If you’re not sure, don’t just pick the cheapest option. I always like the mantra ‘Buy cheap and buy twice’, go for something built by a reputable brand with top notch customer reviews.
Other components
You might find loads of different features and equipment provided with your solar panel. At the very least it should include the solar panel, junction box, and connection wires. On the list above you’ll also find products with added components including:
- Charge controller
- USB ports
- Portable power station adaptors
- Alligator clips
- Mounting brackets
- Kickstand
- Carry handle
- Case
Size & Weight
Be aware of the size and weight of the product you are buying. Ensure you can fit it in your desired mounting location or you can happily store it in a small vehicle if portable.
If you have plenty of roof space on a house or cabin then this might not be such a problem. In vehicles, it’s likely you will have limited space so take the time to work out the available space and dimensions of solar panels.
Adding to this, weight can be a concern too. It is wise to use a lightweight option on most vehicles to save weight on fuel. Some even go for flexible solar panels which can be placed on curved surfaces while being 70% light and 95% slimmer!
Installation
Finally, the ease of installation is a factor to consider particularly if you’re not technically minded. More complicated systems might need a professional to install. Most of the products on the list above are pretty simple to use. Look for products that arrive with all the connections and cables you need. Plus understand if it is easy to mount – predrilled holes and bespoke mounting brackets will help you with rigid solar panels.
Portable solar panels are super easy to use, quite often you just need to place them in the sun and plugin into your solar generator or battery. Plus you can often plug phones and other USB devices into the panel’s junction box.
How Solar Panels Work
I often think that solar panels are some sort of magic. I mean they’re able to use the energy of the sun, which is 150 million kilometers away from earth (93 million miles) to put more charge in my phone battery.
That’s crazy when you think about it!
But how do they actually work? Well, solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells that absorb the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. These cells are wrapped between semiconductor materials like silicon. As photons of sunlight hit this it creates an electric field which is called a photovoltaic effect.
This electric current is then passed down into a battery, such as a leisure battery, to store the energy for you to use via a power inverter.
It’s an incredibly clean and efficient way to generate electricity as it has no ongoing costs, creates no noise pollution or carbon dioxide.
How to Install Solar Panels
Installing solar panels can be quite a straightforward process if you understand how to do it. If you are installing panels on your roof at home to tie in with your grid you will need the help of a professional. If you are using them off-grid, for example in an RV then you can do it yourself. Here’s a step by step guide:
- Measure up the mounting hole with your surface and drill corresponding holes.
- Secure your panels by tightly fasting nuts and bolts. You can add a waterproof seal to these holes if you want.
- Plug the solar panel into your solar charge controller using the cables that should already be connected to the junction box on your panel.
- Connect the solar charge controller to your leisure battery. It’s best to do this with O-ring cable connections ensuring you match the red and black terminals. You could also use alligator clips for this, although they are less secure.
- Hook up your power inverter to the red and black terminals on your battery in order to convert DC to AC power that is required to run most appliances.
Tips for Maintaining Solar Panels
One of the brilliant things about solar panels is that they require very little maintenance. Most of the time you can forget about them and enjoy the benefits. You will need to do a little bit of maintenance to your system just to increase its longevity and efficiency.
- Clean your panels when they become dirty. You might find they attract dust, dirt, grime, and leaves. Make sure to keep them clear so that sunlight can hit every cell on your panel. If you notice a drop in power, even on a sunny day, then it is likely you need to clean your panels. At home, this might need doing once every six months while vehicles might clean panels weekly.
- Fix any faults immediately to avoid further problems and reduce safety concerns. You might spot some faults which are highlighted by your solar charge controller. If any part of your solar system is not working properly you should fix or replace it immediately. If you ignore the problem you could damage your appliances, battery, and power inverter. Plus there is a fire risk when solar panels are not working correctly.
- Don’t walk on solar panels. This may seem obvious to you but many people damage their panels by walking on them. It can be tempting especially if they cover a large area. Even tempered glass and aluminum frame panels can break under the weight of a human. Be careful!
Common Questions on 100 Watt Solar Panels
Can a 100 watt solar panel run a refrigerator?
A solar panel will not be able to run most refrigerators directly. If you use your solar panel to charge a leisure battery in order to run a refrigerator, then yes it will be possible. You will need an inverter capable of supplying enough power to your fridge. On average a medium-sized refrigerator will need at least 150 watts.
How long will a 100 watt solar panel take to charge a 12v battery?
This depends on the amount of sunlight and size of 12V battery. On average you will be able to charge a 50Ah battery in about 6-7 hours of decent sunlight.
Can I connect solar panel directly to battery?
You should connect your solar panel directly to your battery. This is because there is nothing to control the flow of energy. You should connect a charge controller between the solar panel and battery for efficient charging plus to stop overcharging and reverse polarity. It can be a fire risk to connect a solar panel directly to a battery.
Can you charge a leisure battery with a solar panel?
Yes, it is one of the best uses for a solar panel. You can use your solar panel to charge a leisure battery to store electricity and run more powerful appliances. It means you don’t have to worry about variable weather or having no electricity during the nighttime.
Is 100W solar panel enough for campervan?
Yes, a 100W solar panel is powerful enough for many campervans. It can help to keep your leisure battery topped up when you haven’t driven for a while. As long as you don’t use any high powered devices that require heat or motors you can do well with just 100 watt panel.
100 Watt Solar Panel Summary
Well there you have it, everything you could possibly want to know about 100 watt solar panels.
If you’ve read this far you should consider yourself an expert on the subject! Well done!
Now you will be able to choose the a 100 watt solar panel for your needs with confidence. Whatever you need it for, whether for a house, vehicle, or elsewhere, there’s a solution in the list of reviews above.
