Solar Panel Kits

Technology has given us so much especially in the last few years. It has allowed us to do things faster and have increased productivity in a shorter period of time. With the increased technological advances also comes the increased demand for energy sources, considering that most of the devices of today are powered through either electricity or batteries.

This also translates to the rapid depletion of known energy sources such as fossil fuels. It is no secret that there are alternatives to this source of power such as hydropower plants and solar panels, but there is still a lot to uncover to make these sources even more effective.

This article will tackle solar panels, specifically solar panel kits, and will enumerate the different types of panels, kit packages, and connection types. We will also discuss some of the best brands out there in case you wish to transition to this eco-friendly alternative.

What Is a Solar Panel Kit?

As you may already know, solar panels are photovoltaic cells that are usually made of silicon-based materials that allow absorption of sunlight or sun-sourced photons. The equipment also transforms this energy to usable electricity, which makes it an effective and cost-efficient power source for the home and establishments as well.

Of course, the entire solar panel system is not only composed of the solar cells but also includes an inverter among other things. A solar kit may also have a charge controller, which is extremely useful for portability. Therefore, if you wish to have the complete package, it is advisable for you to buy a bundle with the devices necessary to complete the installation.

Types of Solar Panel Kits

What are the different kinds of solar panel kits? They are actually categorized based on use, which means there are only two popular types. There are kits for residential use and those for on-the-road use. Home-use sun-powered kits are mostly grid-tied. This means that they are connected to the main electricity grid of their location and are often used to supplement, if not totally eliminate, the energy coming from the grid.

This may also mean that you can actually give energy back to the grid instead of receiving energy from the grid, making you save or even earn money from helping the environment through reducing the use of non-renewable energy. Since it does not require an energy cell to store energy, this type will usually just have the panels and the inverter.

However, buying a kit instead of the parts individually can save you a few hundred bucks and can spare you loads of time spent selecting which one goes with each as the parts are designed to work together.

On-the-go solar panel bundles often require more equipment because this will allow one to be completely independent of the grid energy. They usually contain one or two pieces of equipment more than the solar panel kits for home. This means that connection to a utility structure is not required and that someone using it can be as mobile as possible.

This type, therefore, is perfect for use in vehicles designed for long-term trips such as RVs, yachts, and caravans. This is why they can be used for outdoor activities such as camping trips and cruises. The components of both types will be jotted down in the next section.

What Do Solar Panel Kits Include?

What will you get if you purchase one of these two kits? Well, if you purchase home solar panel kits, you will get the panels and an inverter. The number of panels will actually vary based on the wattage you would be choosing. The more power you require, the more panels there will be in your kit.

The roof-installed ones will definitely include more panels and will cost you thousands of dollars because these will have the capacity to power up your entire home. The inverter is a device that enables direct current to be changed to alternating current. Therefore, this kit type can have the following components.

• Solar panels – The panels can be either monocrystalline or polycrystalline and come in various wattages. The higher the wattage, the more power they can generate for your home, so always consider the wattage of the panels before purchasing them.
• Inverter – When the panels absorb energy from the sun, they produce the energy in the form of direct current. You will have to use the inverter to transform the energy to alternating current, which you can use for your home.
• Charge controller – If you are not going to use a battery for your home solar system, then a charge controller may not be needed. However, if you will, it is necessary to purchase a charge controller to lengthen the battery’s life.
• Wiring and breaker – Wiring is needed to connect your solar kit to your electrical system. The breaker (or fuse) cuts down the current flowing when a certain ampere is exceeded so as to avoid overheating. This must be placed in between the panels and the inverter.
• Mounting equipment – The brackets and mounts included in the mounting equipment are necessary to fix the panels on your roof and ensure their stability even under extreme weather conditions.
• Power cells (if preferred) – These may not be required for grid-attached systems since the power can still come from the grid at night. However, it is preferred if you would still like to have power during emergencies if the grid fails.

The portable panels used for RVs, boats or yachts, and camping trips will include various devices. These are a battery, inverter, charge controller, mounting hardware, and possibly wires, adapters, and a fuse. The battery stores energy derived from the sun. The charge controller ensures that the battery only absorbs what it can and does not overcharge.

The mounting hardware fixes the panels to a stable area like the RV’s roof or the ground. The wires and fuse are used to connect the panels to other devices and make use of the power generated.

Other brands will also have an included LCD screen to monitor your mini-system’s voltage, juice, and energy production. Finally, the inverter will convert DC voltage to AC voltage to make it usable as an energy source for your devices. This kind of system, therefore, can have the following parts.  

• Solar panels (either monocrystalline or polycrystalline) – Of course, the solar panels are the heart of the kit and its ultimate source of power. There are more than two kinds of solar panels, but the mono ones are often preferred because of their high efficiency rating due to their purity in materials. You also may want to look for panels that are waterproof. The higher the IP rating, the better your panels can handle rainy conditions.
• Inverter (if preferred) – While most mobile appliances are designed to work on direct current, you may still use appliances that are plugged into an outlet. For these, inverters may still be needed.
• Mounting equipment – This includes equipment that is used to fix or set up the panels.
• Charge controller – Charge controllers keep your batteries in good health by preventing them from being overcharged or overused. They regulate the current (in amperes) coming into your battery. On some models, they also monitor the temperature of your batteries, making sure that they do not overheat.
• Power cells – This is another term for batteries. They allow you to store energy for future use. Of course, with the sunlight not being present at night, your system has to store enough energy to keep your electrical appliances working even after daylight.
• Fuse – In the case of off-grid kits, the fuse is placed in between the charge controller and the battery.
• System monitor – System monitors are sometimes included in kits to enable you to see the actual production numbers for your system.
• Adapters – These are used to connect wiring with different ends together.
• Combiner box – With the current coming from different panels connections, the combiner box combines the output of each module together to be connected to your inverter.

Top 5 Best Solar Panel Kits

5. ECO LLC 2900W Off Grid Solar Panel Kit 48V Solar System

If you would like a powerful device that you can use on your cruise or even in your remotely located home, then Eco LLC’s 2900-watt solar kit will be great for you. This kit has 24 pieces of 120-watt solar panels that promise good efficiency ratings because they are monocrystalline.

The bundle also includes a 3500-watt 48-volt to 110-volt inverter, a PV combiner box with six strings for attachment, a 60-ampere controller, the needed solar cables, y-type branches, and z-type brackets. The manufacturer provides a 1-year warranty for replacement.

The included solar panels in this 10.8-pound, 10.3 by 12.6 by 4.5-inch device are waterproofed at an 1P65 rating and can provide off-grid convenience anytime, anywhere.

Pros

• Includes quality, waterproof, monocrystalline panels
• Suitable for outdoor and on-the-go use
• High-powered device
• Almost a complete solar system
• Includes mounting brackets

Cons

• Quite short warranty period

Check Price on Amazon

 

4. ECO-WORTHY 1000 Watt 1KW 12 Volt Solar Panel Off Grid

 

Your purchase will truly be worth it with Eco-worthy’s 1000-watt solar panel kits. This 1000-watt system can supply a 4 kilowatt-hour daily output with its six 195-watt monocrystalline solar panels. Along with these high-powered panels, there are a six-string combiner box, a 60-ampere solar controller, six pieces of Z-type mounting brackets, and 1 Red and 1 Black 16-foot 12AWG cables.

Eco-worthy also provides a 1-year manufacturer warranty for your peace of mind. Note that it can effectively support charging for a 12V or 24V lead acid, gel, or li-ion power cell. Of course, if you wish to have more power, you can extend the system by adding more solar panels. However, this kit will let you have a ready-to-install solar system.

Pros

• Includes quality, waterproof, monocrystalline panels
• Suitable for outdoor and on-the-go use
• High-powered device
• Almost a complete solar system
• Includes mounting brackets

Cons

• Quite short warranty period

Check Price on Amazon

 

3. HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit with 30A PWM LCD

If you need a 1200-watt system that will supply power for your appliances while on the go, HQST’s 1200-watt solar kit can be a good fit for your needs. The 38 by 28 by 3-inch product includes in its bundle twelve 100-watt monocrystalline panels that are highly efficient. The panels are IP65 waterproof and can withstand intense weather conditions such as heavy snow of up to 5400 pascals and strong winds of up to 2400 pascals.

Also included in the package is a 30-ampere 12V/24V PWM common positive solar charge controller, which has an LED light indicator for easy monitoring and prevention of overcharging, overload, over discharge, short circuiting, and reversed connection.

Packaged with it is a 20-foot 12AWG solar panel, a controller connector adaptor, wire extension cables, and a set of brackets that you can use to mount the device to your RV. The 3-step installation process is so convenient for trips and outdoor gatherings.

Pros

• Easy install
• Has waterproof monocrystalline panels
• Perfect for outdoor and on-the-go use
• Has a smart and safe charge controller

Cons

• Does not come with a fuse

Check Price on Amazon

 

2. Renogy 3600 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Cabin Kit for Off-Grid Solar System

If you want to be completely independent from the grid, then you will want Renogy’s off-grid 3600-watt monocrystalline solar kit. It can withstand strong winds of about 2400 pascals and snow loads of about 5400 pascals.

This 760-pound, 79 by 52 by 41-inch kit includes a dozen 300-watt monocrystalline panels that you can rely on to have high efficiency and provide power when you need it. This system is about 15 to 20% lighter than its 72-cell counterpart, so it can be moved more easily.

The kit is also inclusive of a MidNite classic charge controller, a solar-combiner box (MNPV6), a MidNite MNEDC100 breaker, and four 12-ampere circuit breakers. Adding to these pieces are an 8-foot 8AWG stranded copper wire solar cable, four pairs of 40-foot 10AWG adaptor cables, a pair of 4AWG tray cables, a 4AWG THHN tray cable, and a 4AWG tray cable with double-ring terminals. It even has a 25-year warranty, which speaks to its quality and durability.

Pros

• Has the complete package
• Lighter than other kits of the same capacity
• Great for various uses
• Efficient and made by a well-known brand

Cons

• Can be a challenge to install due to the various parts

Check Price on Amazon

 

1. Renogy 400 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit with 40A Rover MPPT Charge Controller

Topping our list of solar panel kits is another Renogy product. Their 400-watt solar bundle checks all the boxes with its 4-piece panel set and its included apparatus for regulation, installation, and energy production. This 73-pound, 42.2 by 19.6 by 14-inch package comes with a 40-ampere MPPT charge controller that is not only easy to use but also well designed. A z-bracket set for easy mounting is included. Also added to the bundle is a pair of 20-foot 10AWG MC4 adaptors and 8-foot 8AWG tray cables.

With its convenient and intuitive installation process, you can use it for your RV or yacht or even your home with no trouble. You will love the 100-watt monocrystalline panels included because they have a 21% efficiency based on EL testing and PTC rating and are corrosion resistant due to their aluminum frames. The system’s maximum voltage is 600 volts of direct current, and its charge controller’s peak efficiency is at 97%.

Pros

• Has the complete package
• Lighter than other kits of the same capacity
• Great for various uses
• Efficient and made by a well-known brand

Cons

• Can be a challenge to install due to the various parts

Check Price on Amazon

 

Off-Grid vs Grid-Connected Kits

Now that we have given you a list of big and small solar panel kits to choose from, we will further explain another factor you have to consider. Would you like off-grid or grid-connected solar panels? The decision really depends on what you want to use the system for. Are you going to use it for your home or your land or water vehicle? If you are going to use it for your home, is your home far from a grid provider?

Off-grid kits do not need to be hooked up to a utility infrastructure that is typically available in developed areas. Therefore, if you are on the go, it will be a wise decision for you to go for this type. However, note that most of the kits do not include a battery, so you may need to purchase it separately.

Another situation where an off-grid kit makes sense is if you live in a remote location with no nearby grid to connect to. With this type, you can be completely independent of the grid, yet you can still use your appliances with this sun-sourced power.

Grid-connected kits are hooked up to the utility infrastructure of your location. This means that you may still get monthly bills if your energy consumption is greater than what your solar system generates. However, if you have a high-powered system, you can have a negative bill, and you will even get a credit from your energy-provider.

If the purpose of the purchase is for residential use, you will want to have the panels fixed on your roof because you will have better chances of getting proper sunlight for your solar cells.

Conclusion

Sun-sourced energy is a tremendous help to the environment and to the financial efficiency of a household. With solar kits, installation of a solar system is made quicker and more feasible. This is perfect for travel enthusiasts because they will not be totally disconnected even when in the middle of the ocean or in a cabin in the heart of the forest.

These solar bundles supply you with all that you need to set up your system so that you can gain access to free energy. This is not only true for off-grid kits but also for grid-connected ones because you can cut down on your monthly bills with this sun-sourced power alternative.

Whatever your purpose is, choose from the models listed above, and you will not regret going solar. If you make an initial investment in a solar panel kit, you can enjoy free electricity for years to come.