Description
- SPRING SALE! Perfect for RVs, vans, boats and other mobile applications, these 9 bus bar black mono solar panels not only look great but are super efficient, giving you maximum power output per cell
- 9BB Efficiency: 9 busbar solar panels contain almost twice as many busbars as 5BB solar panels, allowing them to harness and transfer more energy, making for a more efficient and more powerful solar panel
- Sleek Black Design: Our solar panels are not only incredibly efficient and powerful, but also look amazing, giving any project a full, sleek finishing look that will provide power and add to the general look of your work
- Size Matters: Smaller than most 100 watt solar panels, you can fit more modules on your roof, giving you more power; Our panels are compatible with z brackets, ground, pole, and tilt mounts, making them perfect for any project
- Giving Power to The People: Helping people arm themselves with the right tools and accessories, Spartan Power manufactures ultra-high quality, Made in the USA battery cables every day in Reno, Nevada; Trusted by professionals, enthusiasts, and DIYers everywhere
Pete –
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CONTEXT: I am electrifying my shed with solar panels and a battery-backed power system. I am planning to use this panel as part of that system.
Spartan Power states in its Amazon product listing that this panel is “Super Efficient: Excellent low light performance on cloudy days, mornings, and evenings.” To test this claim, I took measurements on a partly cloudy, 40-degree winter day at about 42 degrees N latitude. Disconnected from my controller and battery, the best outputs I recorded from the panel’s MC4 connector cables were:
Voc = 21.5V (97% of 22.1V panel spec)
Isc = 3.6A (61% of 5.9A panel spec)
The panel is performing as expected, but not notably better than other panels I own and have tested under similar conditions. With more direct sunlight (no cloudy haze), I expect this panel to achieve its stated Voc/Isc spec. That is table stakes, however, and doesn’t live up to the “super-efficient” hype.
Like most other solar panels I’ve tested, the current from this panel drops dramatically with even the slightest bit of shading (see my review video).
At $1/watt currently on Amazon, this panel is reasonably priced. The reasons to choose this panel over other models or brands would be the dimensions, the color (all black), and the fact that you can call a U.S.-based number for product support (see the Spartan Power website). It is otherwise just a solar panel like any other.
Pete –
I have a pump running in the woods pumping from a spring into a tank farther up a hill off of batteries. To keep it going all the time requires a bit of power and this panel has been helping a lot keeping things charged up. This one is a little shorter but wider than a lot of other ones but should fit right in with any existing ones you may have assuming there’s some adjustability in your mount points. This one had standard MC4 connections that mated up fine with my Y-cables just fine. The panel cables aren’t too long but plenty for getting around to a Y for joining into some extensions. This has been a good panel that I’m happy with.
MegaBurn –
Got this Spartan Power 9BB Black Mono 100 Watt Solar Panel for a portable & backup solar power supply, along with a 30A charge controller and a 12V 9.5Ah LiFePo battery. I don’t have much experience with solar panels yet, read a lot about the technology, have a pretty good understanding of how panels are made, bits about different types of panels, various tech issues, visited several residential installations, etc, but almost no direct product experience on my own. This was a good hands-on introduction and primer for switching to solar entirely, hopefully later this year or maybe next year.
Design is atypical, PV panel on an aluminum frame with a couple wires on the back. Build quality is good, as far as I can tell. Functionality is good, works well as far as I can tell, but as mentioned by others this does seem to drop off a lot with indirect light or heavier clouds passing by.
Price point of $109.99 seems a little high compared to similar 100W panels but that might be a quality difference, I can’t tell.
Tip, for simple usage and testing it helps to have a automotive/RV/boat console mount round 12-24V USB 3-port charger with voltage display, this can run directly off of the panel, can charge 3 devices and report voltage. Do disconnect USB devices if panel output drops, e.g. while a heavy cloud goes by or the panel is being moved, etc. If you don’t have an adapter cable just stick bare copper wires into the panel connectors and secure it with some tape.
Overall, 5 stars, good solar panel.
Patrick –
This solar panel is durable and efficient enough for my needs. It’s built to withstand harsh weather conditions and still provide optimal power output. This will be great when there are power outages in my area or if I am going camping.
Sarita Loves Living –
Spartan Power 9BB Black Mono 100 Watt Solar Panel: What caught my attention in the ad is that it is a 9BB (Bus Bars) solar panel. That seems to be the way that some solar panel manufacturers are leaning toward. They are more efficient than the 5BB that is in many other panels. The biggest benefit of 9BB solar panels is their increased efficiency at converting sunlight into power to charge your battery bank. This is because 9BB solar panels have an additional 4 bus bars when compared to normal 5BB panels to conduct electricity between each solar cell. Better conductivity means less power loss as electricity travels throughout the solar panel, and this ultimately translates to higher solar power conversion efficiency. The 9BB solar panels are up to 25% MORE efficient than the standard 5BB solar panels.
The Spartan power panel is a very sturdy panel compared to others that I have purchased. It is smaller and lighter than the other 100W panels because of the 9BB vs 5BB. It can be connected in parallel or series with other solar panels using the MC4 cables included. It also has a plug and play junction box to use with other 12V accessories. This is a quality product that I will get a lot of use from. I totally recommend it.
Sarah –
The Spartan Power 100 W solar panel is a portable, light, weight, and functional device. The panel folds up neatly and is a panel that’s on the larger size of other sound solar panels that I have. Given it’s large area it works well to power things quickly. It powered my portable batteries efficiently in good daylight. I would say the power rate is adequate for camping, RV, use, boats, or simply to just charge devices. I would put this in the average range of other solar panels that I have. I think the build quality could be just a little better.
Patrick –
This is a nice solar panel. I use it with a combination of lithium batteries and electric generators solar set-up. It easily helps maintain charge. Can power all kinds of electronics and some appliances. Since we have a multiple solar panel, battery and generator system, we can go off-grid for a couple weeks. Its easy enough to install and use. And the overall quality is nice and the price is reasonable.