5 Best 100-watt Solar Panel Kit

What comes in a 100-watt solar panel kit

As it says in the product name itself, these are solar panel kits and not merely solar panels. Let’s see what all are included in a solar panel kit.

Here are the common components you can expect in solar panel kits.

1. Solar panel: 

That is a no-brainer! How can a solar power system work without solar panels? The capacity of the solar panel is measured in terms of wattage.

2. Charge controller: 

Merely generating electricity is not enough to charge your devices. A charge controller is a device that regulates and transmits the power produced by the panel. It prevents common charging issues like overcharging, overheating, short circuits, and reverse polarity. 

3. Mounting hardware: 

Unlike bigger solar installations, solar kits are smaller units with an emphasis on compactness and portability. The solar panels in these kits already come mounted in frames, often with kickstands, or will have pre-drilled holes for easy mounting.

4. Cables and tools: 

These may not seem very important but are an inevitable part of a solar panel kit to help make the installation process simple and easy.

5. Inverter: 

A solar energy system cannot function effectively without an inverter. It is the inverter that converts the DC power produced by the solar panel into usable AC power. However, you may not find this component in many solar panel kits. You may have to buy it separately.

6. Battery: 

This is an optional but desirable addition to a solar power system. This can be useful in storing the energy produced for later use. A battery is extremely useful for drawing power from the panel at night. Ensure that the voltage of the battery matches that of the solar panel.

Tips for selecting the best solar panel kit

Here are some of the factors you should consider when choosing a solar panel kit.

Power demand: 

What are your electricity expectations from the solar power system? As the solar panel kits are usually chosen based on their capacity, which is measured as their wattage, knowing your power requirements can make the decision easier. 

You need to remember that the higher the wattage, the more power you get from the solar systems. But the price of the kit will go up and the solar system gets bulkier. 

If you are not sure about your requirements, you can start with a basic kit and one solar panel and add more to the setup. 

Component quality: 

Invest time in understanding the components included in the kit. Go for a solar kit offering monocrystalline panels. Though costly, they are more efficient. This means that even with a smaller panel and poor light, you will get more power. 

Pick a kit with a charge controller with higher wattage so that you can expand the capacity of the kit later on. Another point to verify is whether the charge controller offers protection against common charging issues. Choose one with an LED display for ease of use.

Brand value and warranty: 

This is a major consideration to ensure the lifespan of the solar systems. Read the fine print to know the terms of the warranty. Check reviews and feedback of genuine buyers to confirm that the kit will deliver what it promises.