Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit Review

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Solar energy is the most widely available form of energy, and since its source is the sun, it is guaranteed to last for several billion years. Solar energy offers so many benefits, which is why so many countries worldwide are slowly but surely shifting to this energy source.

Solar energy is cheap and answers the world’s future energy needs. Pollution has become so prevalent all over the world that the world must shift to renewable energy sources to offset some of the damage done to the environment.

Solar panels are devices that collect sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. Simply put, they are what you use to access solar energy. The initial installation cost of solar panels might be somewhat high, but you can easily recover this since you will only have minimal electricity bills to pay in the future.

Installing solar paneling in your home does not have to be a massive or even expensive undertaking. You will find solar panel kits you can install to help you get your utility bills under control. The kits help you reduce your energy costs and are also quite cheap. The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit is one of the best solar panel kits.

Review of Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit is an inexpensive solar setup specifically designed for people just getting started with solar energy. It is ideal for off-grid applications such as tiny houses or cabins. It is also an excellent option for trailers, RVs, boats, etc.

What’s Included in the Kit?

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit comes with everything you need:

• Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel
• 30A Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Charge Controller
• Adapter Kit
• Tray Cable
• Inverter
• Renogy Z-Bracket Mount System

Here is a more detailed look into each of these components:

Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel

The solar panel delivers 100 Watts of power and is suitable for use with a 12-volt battery. If you want to increase the voltage, you can link several panels together. If your boat, RV, trailer, etc., has a powerful battery, this can be one of the best solar panels you can buy.

It is one of the sturdiest solar panels, capable of withstanding 2,000Pa of wind pressure and 5,200 Pa of snow loads. It comes with pre-drilled holes at the back, ensuring easy installation and use in various applications. It also has high-transmission tempered glass that protects it against hail damage.

Charge Controller

The charge controller that comes with the solar kit is a Renogy 30A PWM negative ground Wanderer charge Controller that allows you to expand your system to a maximum of 400W. It protects against overload, overcharging, short-circuiting, and reversed polarity.

The ideal output is 500Wh a day, and it can fully charge a 50Ah battery to 50 percent in 3 hours, but this will depend on sunlight availability. The charge controller isn’t waterproof and has to be used indoors in a cool and properly ventilated area.

Tray Cable

The solar kit has an 8-feet 10AWG Tray Cable connecting the charge controller to the battery.

Adapter Kit

The solar kit comes with a 20-feet 10AWG MC4 Adaptor kit that connects the solar panel to the charge controller.

Inverter

The inverter with the solar kit is optional, depending on the electrical equipment you will use.

Renology Z-bracket Mount System

The solar kit comes with the Renology Z-Bracket Mount System, designed to help install panels in off-grid situations. The mount system competes with bolts, brackets, fasteners, and washers.

Who Should Consider Buying the Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit?

You should invest in this solar kit if:

• You are new to solar energy
• You want to start using solar energy in your commercial or residential property.
• You love to go boating
• You need an energy source for your backyard shed
• You have an RV or love RVing or camping in cabins

Best Features

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit has many impressive features, including:

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit comes with solar panels made of pure silicon crystal, making it economical, highly efficient, and highly durable. The panel has a higher heat resistance and can produce more electricity within a limited space.

Power Control Monitoring

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit uses Pulse Width Modulation technology to regulate the power supplied to different appliances to ensure that they aren’t damaged due to either under or over-supply. Since the kit can be connected to different appliances, you must monitor the power supplied since each requirement varies.

Safety

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit has LED indicators that help you keep track of various aspects. It also comes with a negative ground charge controller that allows you to use it for various off-grid applications. If using the kit on a vehicle with a negative battery on the chassis, the negative ground controller will ensure you are safe.

Components

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit comes with all the components needed to install it, making your job easier. You never have to start searching for specific components when you are halfway through the installation. The only thing you must buy that isn’t included is the battery.

Expandable Power Output

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit can supply 100 Watts. If your requirements change, you can increase this to 400 Watts by connecting multiple panels.

Performance Metrics of the Renogy 100W Solar Starter Kit

Power Efficiency

The Renogy 100W solar panel boasts an efficiency rate of 18.4%, which means for every 100 watts of sunlight that hits the panel, 18.4 watts of electricity is generated. This is higher than the industry average of 15-18% for monocrystalline panels.

Energy Yield

On a sunny day, the Renogy 100W panel can generate approximately 500Wh of energy. Given optimal sunlight conditions, this is enough to charge a 50Ah battery up to 50% in just 3 hours.

Temperature Coefficient

The panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.35%/°C. This means for every degree above 25°C, the panel’s efficiency decreases by 0.35%. It’s a standard rate for monocrystalline panels and indicates how well the panel will perform in hot conditions.

Durability and Load Capacity

The panel can withstand wind pressures of up to 2,000Pa and snow loads of up to 5,200Pa. This makes it one of the sturdiest panels in its category.

Lifespan and Degradation

The Renogy 100W panel has a lifespan of 25 years, with an average degradation rate of 0.5% per year. This means that after 25 years, the panel will still produce 87.5% of its original capacity.

Comparison with Competitors

Compared to similar panels in the market, the Renogy 100W panel stands out in terms of efficiency and durability. For instance, a typical competitor panel might have an efficiency rate of 17% and a lifespan of 20 years with a degradation rate of 0.7% per year.

The Drawbacks

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit has many advantages, but just like with any other product, it has its drawbacks. Here are some of the features that customers weren’t too pleased with:

Insufficient Charge Controller

The charge controller that comes with the Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit is insufficient for producing enough electricity. However, this is a problem that you can easily overcome by investing in a better charger to get more out of the kit and avoid system failure.

Expensive

Monocrystalline solar panels are expensive since the manufacturing process is incredibly complicated. The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit is no exception and is more expensive than other options in the market.

Wires Not Color Coded

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit has all the wires in black, unlike many other electrical appliances, which have wires in different colors to help you easily distinguish them. However, the wires have markings but aren’t visible once connected through the system.

Verdict

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit is a superior kit that delivers what it promises. It is an incredibly reliable kit with highly reliable components, as you can probably tell from the impressive 5-year manufacturer’s warranty you will get when you buy it.

If you want an environmentally friendly solar kit, the Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit is a step in the right direction. It comes with just one 100W panel, but with the addition of more panels, there’s nothing you cannot power.

The Renogy 100W, 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit is highly recommended!