Looking to invest in a 150 watt solar panel?
But you’re a little unsure about what it can power?
Well, you’re in the right place.
In many ways, a 150 watt solar system is the perfect size.
It offers that extra bit of power to charge batteries efficiently while being small enough to use for most purposes.
Ready to start generating electricity from the sun?
Let’s get into it.
What Can a 150 Watt Solar Panel Run?
When used correctly a 150 watt solar panel can help to run a wide range of electronics and appliances. If you are looking to run devices directly from a solar panel you will be a little restricted by the power and flow of electricity. You would be able to charge portable gadgets like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. But don’t expect to run a refrigerator or TV directly.
But don’t worry.
The best way to use a solar panel is along with a large leisure battery. This way you can use the power of the sun to charge the battery and store large amounts of power. Then you can use a power inverter to connect up larger appliances to draw more wattage. For example, you could attach a 1000 watt power inverter to your system. Then you will be able to use your system to run fridges, fans, lighting, heaters, computers, and many more home appliances.
One thing to think about is that solar panels come in many different shapes and sizes. If you can’t find exactly a 150W panel to suit your needs you can always combine multiple panels to fit your requirements. Or even go for a bigger power size to ensure you’re always generating enough electricity.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top options available on the market today.
How much power does a 150 watt solar panel produce?
On a sunny day, a 150 watt solar panel is able to produce around 650Wh of energy. This is an average amount based on 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight in a day, the actual figure will vary based on weather conditions.
How many amps does a 150 watt solar panel generate?
To calculate amps from a 150 watt solar panel you need to divide watts by voltage. So 150 watts divided by 12 volts is 12.5. So over the course of a sunny day, you could generate around 60A.
What size charge controller for 150w solar panel?
A 150 watt solar panel with a 12V battery will generate 12.5A. This means a 20A solar charger will work with a 150w panel.
What size fuse for 150w solar panel?
A 20A fuse should be adequate.
150 Watt Solar Panel Features to Consider
If you’ve made it this far then you’ll have a much better understanding of what sort of products are available. When making your buying decision there are a number of factors to consider in finding your perfect fit. Here are the things to take into account when looking for a 150W solar system.
Panel Type & Usage
First of all, let’s talk about how you will be using the panel and what difference it makes. You’ll either be looking to mount it on a rooftop or permanent location, add off-grid power to a vehicle, or a portable option for things like hiking and camping.
You’re planned usage will dramatically change what style of panel you need. For example, if you want something portable a heavy rigid panel is not going to be suitable.
Rigid panels are perfect to mount in a static position such as a house, shed, or cabin roof. They are incredibly durable and can withstand weather conditions all year round. Some people also use them on vehicles such as RVs, vans, and boats.
Flexible panels are another great option that offers more adaptability. You can use them to mount on uneven or curved surfaces which you often find on vehicles plus they’re light enough to hang them on a wall. This lightweight nature makes them popular while vehicle owners to help reduce the weight when driving. Plus they’re really slim at 0.1 inches thick so they’re completely unintrusive.
Portable panels are awesome for on-the-go power. They are foldable and lightweight to make them easy to carry. This means you can store them easily to take on camping, hiking, and other adventures. They’re a very popular way to recharge a portable power station from the sun.
Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline
You might have seen both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels available when doing your research. But do you understand what the difference is?
Monocrystalline solar cells are far more efficient and durable than polycrystalline. You’ll benefit from a high conversion rate of sunlight to electricity. On the downside, they are more expensive. You can spot monocrystalline cells by their deep black coloring.
Polycrystalline solar cells are a cheap but less efficient option. You might consider this if you are on a budget. To be honest, in the long run it’s worth investing in monocrystalline which is why it is heavily featured in our favorite products above.
Durability
Whatever you are buying, quality should be at the forefront of your mind. This is particularly important with solar panels. The beauty of solar panels is the ability to save money on energy bills! To fully benefit from this you must ensure your equipment lasts for a long time. A decent solar panel should last more than a decade. The last thing you want is to be regularly replacing parts of your system. When looking for durable products look for features such as anti-corrosion aluminum frames, tempered glass, ETFE material, waterproofing, and weatherproofing.
Size & Space
One thing you might not have considered is the size of a solar panel and how much space you have to mount it. They are often bigger than they look. I strongly advise measuring up the amount of space you have available and the dimensions of the product so there are no shocks.
On average you’ll find a 150W solar panel is 1400 x 650 x 35 mm in size.
Price
How much does a 150 watt solar panel cost?
The price varies depending on what you are looking for you should expect to pay anywhere between $150 – $450. Lighter weight flexible solar panels can be as cheap as $150 whereas solar starter kits and high spec portable products can cost more than $300.
Other Components
Along with the solar panel, you can find a number of different components and features. At the very least you should expect your panel to include cables and a junction box to wire it up. To complete your 150 watt solar system you’ll also need:
- Charge controller
- Deep-cycle battery
- Power inverter
- Mounting system
Maintaining Solar Panels
Solar panels don’t need a lot of regular maintenance. There’s certainly not much ongoing cost which makes them such a cheap source (and free!) of electricity. To maintain the best performance and improve the lifespan there are a few things you should do from time to time.
- Clean your solar panels when they get dirty. If you notice dust, dirt, leaves, grime, snow, or anything else blocking sunlight from reaching the solar cells then make sure to remove it. Anything stopping the sun from hitting the whole panel will reduce its efficiency and power output.
- Fix any damage or errors with your system immediately. Faulty electronics including batteries and charge controllers can present a real safety risk, particularly fire. Plus any equipment not working properly will reduce performance.
How To Install Your Solar Panel
Installing solar panels is actually quite simple once you understand all the different parts of your system. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Carefully mount your panels in place. Do this by drilling holes that correspond to your panel’s mounting whole. Use provided nuts and bolts to secure in place.
- Connect your charge controller to your battery using either O-rings or alligators clips. Ensure to connect the red cable to red terminal (positive) and black cable to black terminal (negative). Always do this before connecting the solar panel.
- Plug your solar panel cables into the solar charge controller.
- Hook up your power inverter to your battery in order to draw power to your appliances.
- Enjoy off-grid power!
Final Words on 150 Watt Solar Panels
There you have it, everything you could possibly want to know about the best 150 watt solar panels.
You should have an in-depth understanding of what you need to create your perfect off-grid solar system. Remember you don’t just need to stick to one single panel if you can’t quite find the right size. You can easily combine multiple panels to match your needs.
