Description
- [High Power Output] The Renogy Black Division 100W Lightweight Monocrystalline Solar Panel can provide an average of 500 Watt-hours of electricity per day (depending on sun availability).
- [Easy to Transport, Carry and Install] The solar panel suits most curved surfaces as it is bendable within 240 degrees. It weighs only 1/3 of the rigid panel and presents an all-black glare-free appearance.
- [Industry-leading Tech] It is equipped with half-cut PERC cell technology that enhances solar light capture and electrical performance, therefore improving the output efficiency.
- [Reliable & Durable] This solar panel accomplishes with IP67 rated waterproof junction box and solar connectors. Withstand up to 5400 Pa of heavy snow load and up to 2400 Pa of high wind.
- [Ready for Installation] The panel comes with pre-drilled mounting holes and 2.3 feet long solar connector cables for quick and easy installation.
BURT –
It quickly became clear to me that reviewing a solar panel is more involved than reviewing a toaster!
I have a “decent” basic knowledge of electricity, but I must say I’ve learned a LOT more since purchasing my four 175 watt (@ 20 volts, 9 amps each) Renogy Solar Panels for my Promaster Van.
1) Order “Must Have” Items to attach to van/RV roof without drilling holes and allow future removal :
Eternabond 3″×50″ 1 roll – use sparingly.
Velcro,15′ x 2″ Industrial Self Sticking, 1 box per panel. See pictures. OK, You will probably need to drill ONE necessary hole to bring the final two cables to the inside- also get an entry gland for that. The Velcro should be attached in strips on the raised roof ridges. Renogy says an insulated layer is unnecessary. After 3 months of searing heat, and some rain, all four panels are still secure.
2) Purchase the max wattage, and max # of Panels that will fit up on your van/RV roof. Get the BEST and as MANY Solar Panels (and MC4 connectors, cable, and Y branch adapter) you can afford- you don’t want to regret your buying decision on every future road trip, especially after all your work installing these panels. A good crimper like the WISS Solar PV Cable Crimping Tool will help a lot. Incidentally, Renogy has EXCELLENT Customer Support. Contact them with ANY questions.
3) Install an EVEN NUMBER of panels, so you can connect your setup in a “series and parallel combination”(Google that to view examples). Per Renogy, they should all be of equal size/power.
4) With 4 175 watt panels, I put 1 pair in series, I put the other pair also in series, then I put these two sets of pairs in parallel, so I now had a series parallel COMBINATION that yields 40 volts @ 700 watts, but only 17 amps, going to the Yeti or charge controller. Always Remember, WAV: Watts=Amps x Volts. (My 3000X Yeti will allow a max of 50 volts and about 1000 watts of charge).
If you put ALL 4 of your 175 watt panels in parallel, you’ll have an output of only 20 volts and 37 amps, and your panels won’t start to charge your batteries until direct sunlight hits them. The high amperage will also cause your cables to get very hot.
If you use the series AND parallel combination, you’ll get 40 volts and only 17 amps, which means you can use smaller wiring (10 gauge) that won’t overheat. You will also see charging as soon as daylight starts until dusk. You’ll achieve the SAME charge rate of rated watts either way! Speaking of advertised panel wattage claims, you’ll find that the time of year, where you are parked, air quality (smog/haze), and of course, time of day, WILL AFFECT the rate of charge. Don’t panic if you don’t get the listed wattage, it’s a fact of life! Realistically, expect about 80% of the listed watts rating, on average. It definitely helps to keep them clean. Hose off and squeegee them after it rains. The dust does not disappear after rainstorms, but instead makes a muddy layer up there.
Do not get hung up on “positive” and “negative” ends when you build your ‘array’ of panels, just have your multimeter with you the whole time and make sure you correctly identify the positive and negative final ends that are connected to the batteries.
5) If your Van/RV has 6 or 8 little T posts on the roof, you’ll get a LOT of peace of mind attaching each panel to the posts. Use some 1/16″ wire rope cables to connect to a grommet anywhere on the panels parameters that you can.
After driving around with these 4 Renogy Flexible Solar Panels on my Promaster for 2 months +, I am very happy overall. Their super thin, light design makes them ideal for zero wind drag, and they are absolutely INVISIBLE from ground level. They are a solidly built and well performing panel, and I am glad I made the investment to get the best Solar Panels available.
MtnSoar –
Nice product, and has a bit more output than the other thin, flat panel we have.
AMAZON – Please fix your product search to allow me to TRY and purchase MADE IN THE USA items. When I add Made in USA to a search, it seems it completely ignores the request, and often product description does not disclose where the product was made….
MtnSoar –
Since I don’t have any other solar panel to compare it to, I cannot give it a 5 star rating. It has performed without incident since I purchased it. It gives a sustainable trickle charge to my battery bank. It is not big enough to fully charge my bank with heavy use but on a full sun day it is very good in sustaining power.
Conrad Westendorf –
We hebben 2 panelen extra gelegd op onze camper. Deze paste perfect op de bestaande installatie.
Paul Carman –
Die Lieferung erfolgte in einer recht großen und flachen Kartonage. Im Lieferumfang befinden sich das Solarpanel und eine Anleitung. Wir haben zwei Mal die Variante mit 50W gekauft.
Das monokristalline und biegsame Panel hat eine Maximalleistung von 50W. Wir nutzen beide Panels in einer Reihenschaltung auf dem Vordach unseres Hauses. Uns waren die Abmessungen und das geringe Gewicht besonders wichtig. Etwas merkwürdig ist die Tatsache, dass wir zwei ähnliche, aber eben nicht identische Panels erhalten haben. Die Leistungsangaben sind identisch, aber die Abmessungen und das Gewicht unterscheiden sich geringfügig. Ein Panel ist rund 5cm breiter, 3cm kürzer und 0,05kg leichter. Das ist für uns ok, da man die Panels auf dem Vordach nicht sieht, aber so etwas sollte grundsätzlich nicht vorkommen.
Das Anschlussterminal sitzt auf der Oberseite und verfügt über MC4 Steckverbindungen. Die Kabel sitzen links und rechts. Wer die Panels, so wie wir, nicht verklebt, kann die Befestigungsösen in den Ecken nutzen. Wir betreiben beide 50W Panel an einem Hoymiles Wechselrichter. An einem sehr sonnigen Tag Anfang Mai haben wir bei nahezu horizontaler Montage Werte um 80W erreicht. Das liegt unterhalb der Leistungsangabe, ist aber zu einem sehr hohen Grad der fehlenden Ausrichtung/Aufstellung zur Sonne geschuldet.
Die Verarbeitung der Panels ist gut. Die Herstellung erfolgte in China.
In Summe ein kompaktes und funktionales Solarpanel.
BURT –
The panels perform well seem durable and are flexible. I’m very pleased with them. They fit the bill for my application. Small amounts of shade do not seem to significantly impact the panels’ output, unlike some i’ve used.
I needed low-profile flexible panels to fit on my truck’s topper, between the roof racks. The size of the panels are a perfect fit, and allow 2 to be installed on my roof. I wanted the installation to be easily removable, but to also easily handle highway speeds without me worrying about panels flying off. Utilizing the grommets on the panels allowed me to use M6 tee nuts and M6 machine screws and 1” M6 threaded plastic knobs to hold the panels in place. The grommet placement on the 2 panels I received were identical. I fit the machine screws through holes drilled in the topper. The screws (and large washers) are on the inside of the topper, with the tee nuts on the outside. The screws and nuts are snugly tightened, which allows the plastic knobs to be loosened and tightened without someone inside the topper holding a screwdriver to keep the screws from loosening. I used RTV to seal the holes, which also helps hold the screws and nuts in place without turning. I’ve used similar combos on truck toppers for 30+ years and have never had water leaks.
I also attached heavy duty velcro around the edges of the panels, and attached velcro to the topper. The velcro alone holds the panels very well, but I wanted more security for highway speeds, hence the tee nuts and machine screws. I also put a “carbon fiber” looking vinyl wrap on the topper where the panels fit, for abrasion protection. Insulation can be placed under the panels to insulate the topper from the panels, which can get hot. 5 mm foam insulation is what I use.
Mel –
Work great
Charlie S. –
I did the test …. I purchased (6) 175 Watt expensive Renogy flexible (these) and (8) 100 Watt cheap panels from ebay . I installed both sets on my RV roof . The Renogy panels were installed over three years ago while the cheap panels were installed late last year . The cheap panels warped heavily due to heat, came out of their holders, and blew away . The Renogy panels stayed flat and remained intact.
Amazon Customer –
un changement après un premier reçu ( rayé 🙁 )) . parfait ensuite , les 100 Watt sont bien là. plus de 5 ampères observés avec les tensions Boost..( ca c est niveau régaluteur PWM ) .
SteKn –
Il pannello sembra ottimo ed ho letto le istruzioni ma non ho visto da nessuna parte se è presente il diodo di blocco. Se qualcuno lo sa si faccia avanti. Grazie
Hills –
The Renogy Flexible Solar Panel is an excellent option for anyone who needs a reliable, flexible solar panel for off-grid use. I purchased this panel for my RV, and I have been extremely impressed with its performance. The monocrystalline semi-flexible design allows it to be easily installed on uneven surfaces, and the 50 watt output is more than enough to power all of my devices. The panel is also lightweight and durable, which makes it easy to transport and use in a variety of different settings. I love that it’s designed specifically for marine, RV, cabin, van, and car use, which means that it’s perfectly suited to my needs. Overall, I would highly recommend the Renogy Flexible Solar Panel to anyone who needs a reliable and efficient power source for off-grid use. It’s an excellent investment that will pay off in the long run.