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Are 100-watt Solar Panels Worth It? – Guide 2024

Living in a tiny home, an RV, or boat comes with many perks.

But what stands out for us most is that you get to enjoy a lot of comfort while you’re on the go, especially if you live in a tiny house on wheels or RV.

Unfortunately, if you live in a tiny home, especially those on wheels, you’ll need electricity to power most of your items, which can be a lot of headaches sometimes.

But thankfully, that wouldn’t be an issue if you opt for the best 100-watt solar panel.

Having this type of solar panel will give you an unlimited power supply for some of the items you have in your home.

And the cool part is that you get to save some money in the long run.

But before deciding which solar panel works best for you, there are some factors you want to consider.

Luckily for you, we have done all the hard work.

When putting together our list of best solar panels for tiny homes, one of the few things we considered was the weight and dimension of each panel.

This was important for us as it played a significant role in determining where and how you could install the panel.

We also took a moment to look into each solar panel’s voltage and current at Pmax.

This is also important because it plays a massive role in determining the maximum wattage a solar panel can produce.

If you know a thing or two about solar panels, you’ll agree that wattage is an essential factor you should consider when shopping for a solar panel that works for your home.

types of solar for tiny house

Top 100 Watt Powered Solar Panels

We spent tons of hours reading through thousands of users ‘ reviews to save you all the hassles of going through hundreds of reviews.

This is critical for us as we wanted to come up with a listing for the best quality 100-watt panels on the market.

We also ensured we provided you with a detailed review of each solar panel model.

So, after reading today’s guide, we are sure you’ll find a solar panel for your tiny home that ticks all your boxes.

Also, make sure you read the FAQ at the end of this guide for further details.

Renogy Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable Solar Panel

Suppose you’re interested in a tiny house solar panel that is not only easy to set up but also powerful; you’ll love the all-amazing Renogy Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable foldable panel.

The unique thing about this solar panel is that it is designed to work at maximum voltage and amps while at Pmax.

This makes it one of the most efficient and reliable solar panels on the market.

Another thing that stands it out from other solar panels on the market is that it is relatively lightweight.

So if you have always wanted a solar panel that you can take down for maintenance or when not in use, this is the one for you.

The most intriguing thing we have come to love about this solar panel is its compatibility with the different types of batteries on the market.

So whether you plan on using a sealed, flooded, gel or lithium battery with this solar panel, rest assured that it will deliver as promised.

Given its impressive compatibility, this solar panel ranks as one of the most versatile solar panels you can ever buy.

Also, the controller comes with this solar panel is of the best quality.

Plus, the instruction manual is easy to read. So getting this solar panel installed is a stroll in the park.

And the best part is that you’ll get the correct amount of electricity needed to keep your battery charged. This will allow the whole setup to run efficiently.

Despite its many brilliant features, what we don’t like about this solar panel is the connector cables that come with it.

Sure, the connection cables are of high quality, but they are on the short side. But we doubt if this is a big deal, especially since you can install the panel in a way that all of the important components aren’t far away from each other.

Alternatively, you can buy longer cables.

While this will most likely cost you more, it will make installing this stellar panel a lot easier.

Pros

  • This solar panel works with different battery types
  • It has large dimensions, hence delivers remarkable performance
  • Its foldable design makes it easy to store.
  • It comes with an easy to use controller.
  • The solar panel is capable of delivering high current and amps at Pmax.

Cons

  • The short cables that come with this panel mean that you have to install components close to each other or buy extra cables, which would cost you more.

Renogy Monocrystalline Photovoltaic Solar Panel Module

Renogy has a long history of building quality solar panels. With the new and improved Renogy Monocrystalline Photovoltaic solar panel, the company didn’t disappoint and took things to a whole new level.

Compared to the previous solar panel we highlighted above, this solar panel delivers a higher number of amps and volts at Pmax.

If you’re on the market for a quality solar panel that can produce insane power for all your items, this is just what you need.

Another thing that blows our mind away about this solar panel is its durable design.

To start with, the outer frame of this solar panel is made from corrosion-resistant aluminium.

Even though the exterior frame design of this solar panel is designed to provide stability and protection, especially against elements and drops, we also love that it is pretty lightweight.

The protective frame makes the panel extremely tough, making it a brilliant option for tiny homeowners looking for a more permanent solar panel that will stay in shape for many years.

This solar panel features a set of brilliant connectors. Unlike the first solar panel, this one boasts long connectors, so you have nothing to worry about during installation.

The only issue we have with these brilliant connectors is that they are hard to use, and here is why.

The clips that come with these connectors are tight, so opening and closing them can be tricky, especially if you don’t have the right tools.

The good side with such clips is that once you have them hooked, they don’t get undone very easily, which is some positive.

Pros

  • This solar panel delivers remarkable voltage and amps at Pmax.
  • Large dimension
  • It is made from corrosion-resistant aluminium.
  • It is lightweight despite its large size.

Cons

  • The connectors are hard to clip and unclip.

ACOPOWER Portable Solar Panel Kit Suitcase

If you’re planning to install alternative power solutions like solar in your tiny home, you must ensure you opt for a great solar power kit.

By opting for a solar panel kit, getting your system up and running will be pretty easy.

Also, you don’t have to worry about any compatibility issues, mainly because most of the components you’ll need to install your system will probably be from the same company.

Talking about a great solar panel kit, the ACOPOWER Portable solar Panel Kit has everything you want and more.

For context, this product comes with the panel itself, a powerful battery, connectors, and a protective carrying case.

The only thing it doesn’t come with, which you may need to find on the market, is a superior quality controller. And we doubt if this would be a big deal, as there are tons of options on the market.

We love the panel that comes with this solar kit because it is solid, highly durable and nicely put together.

Let us also quickly add that it comes with pre-installed stands, a unique component that makes installation a lot easier. Additionally, the corners of the panel are well reinforced; this way, it won’t get spoiled easily.

Besides not coming with a controller, another challenge you may have with this product is that the instruction manual is not clearly spelt out.

To this end, they can be pretty challenging to understand.

If this is an issue, you can look through online tutorials or speak with experts to get all the help you need when mounting this product.

Pros

  • This solar panel has large dimensions
  • The product is easy to transport and handle
  • It comes with a protective case to ensure nothing is damaged
  • The package comes with preinstalled stands to make installation easy
  • The corners are reinforced to prevent the product from damaging easily

Cons

  • The instruction manual isn’t clearly laid out.
  • The package is missing a controller.

WindyNation Solar Panel

If you’re looking for a brilliant solar panel kit, especially one that performs as decent as the ACOPOWER we earlier featured, you’ll most likely love the WindyNation Solar Panel.

Like the ACOPOWER, this one comes with everything you need to set the system up.

To start with, this solar panel kit comes with connectors, a charged controller and mounting brackets. But while this product comes with a controller, it is missing a battery, so you may have to buy that separately or use one you currently have at home.

Unfortunately, this may increase the purchase price slightly, especially if you opt for a high-quality battery.

What makes this solar panel kit incredibly desirable among tiny house owners is that it is easy to install. For installation, the product comes with a brilliantly designed set of easy-to-use mounting brackets.

This makes it easy to hook to your RVs or your tiny home on wheels.

Also, we love that the instruction manual that comes with this product is straightforward to read. Thanks to its detailed instruction manual, anyone can mount the solar panel without a hassle.

Another unique thing about this solar panel is that it is nice and large, allowing it to soak up enough energy during the day.

And yes, it is pretty lightweight too.

While it works best as a permanently installed system, you can also use it as a portable option.

Even though this solar panel has many brilliant selling points, the one thing that most users have complained about is the short connectors that come with the kits.

So you may need to buy extended connectors, which will no doubt cost you more.

So put that in mind when exploring this product.

Pros

  • This solar kit features everything you need to set up the system
  • Its large dimensions mean it can soak up enough power.
  • It comes with a highly responsive and easy to use controller.
  • The instruction manual that comes with this product is nicely laid out and easy to read.

Cons

  • The connectors aren’t so long, so you may need to buy additional connectors.

TISHI HERY Portable Solar Panel

For tiny house owners interested in portability, this solar panel is just what you need.

Just so you know, this solar panel is portable, making it super easy to transport. When collapsed, this solar panel is only seventeen inches.

This makes it a brilliant option for tiny homes especially considering the limited space available. Also, we love that it comes with a convenient and easy to carry handle.

While the panel may look small when fully collapsed, there is no denying that the panel is one of the largest on the market when expanded.

Thanks to its large surface area, this solar panel will trap a lot of sunlight, making it a brilliant option for people looking for a powerful solar panel.

Another thing that makes this solar panel a superb option is its lightweight design.

Despite its overall dimension, the panel is thin and pretty light. In terms of numbers, this panel weighs only 5.9 pounds.

This makes it easy to mount, unmount and transport.

Another thing you’re sure to love about this portable solar panel is the extra-long connectors it comes with. Unlike the cables that come with other solar panels, this one features super long connectors.

This makes installation a breeze.

Unfortunately, the panel is not as durable as the others we have explored so far.

And since it isn’t as strong as other panels, you have to ensure you move it with care as any drop or big bumps could damage it.

Pros

  • The panel folds up easily, making storage easy.
  • It features a built-in handle for easy transportation
  • The package features extra-long connector cables, so you don’t have to buy additional cables
  • The panel has a substantial dimension
  • It is pretty lightweight

Cons

  • The solar panel isn’t as strong as other options on the market, so it is fragile and needs to be transported with care.

DOKIO Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Panel

One of the biggest challenges bedevilling the solar industry is that solar panels are still quite expensive.

This insane cost has made it pretty hard for many people to switch to alternative power options, preferring to stick to their gas-powered generators. But as solar technology evolves, the cost is beginning to drop sharply.

For instance, the DIKIO monocrystalline foldable solar panel is budget-friendly and delivers exactly as promised.

So if you are on a budget and looking for an affordable solar panel, you’ll love the DOKIO monocrystalline foldable solar panel.

Even though this solar panel is a lot cheaper than other options, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t measure up to other solar panels in terms of quality.

Compared to all the solar panel options we have explored, this one delivers the highest amp level at Pmax.

Given the affordable price point of this solar panel, you’ll agree that its performance is quite impressive.

Thanks to its lightweight design, it’s easy to see why many tiny house owners prefer this solar panel, especially because it is incredibly portable.

Also, it comes with a built-in suitcase design, so transporting it wouldn’t be much of a challenge.

In terms of weight, this solar panel only weighs about five pounds. Unfortunately, this one isn’t very durable compared to other solar panel options, so keep that in mind.

The case and the panel are pretty fragile and won’t do well under rough treatment or wet conditions.

If you finally decide to go for this solar panel, make sure you handle it carefully and take them down when you aren’t using it.

When storing it, ensure you keep it in a safe location, so it doesn’t suffer any damage.

Pros

  • Its portable design makes it a suitable choice for many tiny house owners.
  • Its lightweight design makes it easy to transport.
  • Its large dimensions improve its performance.
  • It delivers high amps at Pmax.

Cons

  • The controller and panels aren’t so durable.

SUAOKI Monocrystalline Flexible Cell

Do you want a portable solar panel for your tiny home or RV? Then this solar panel is all you’ll ever need and more.

What we love most about this solar panel is its lightweight design. In terms of weight, this solar panel measures only five pounds.

Despite being relatively lightweight, we are pleasantly surprised that it is thick and durable.

Because of its rugged design, you can easily transport this solar panel without ruining it. Another unique selling point of this solar panel is its bendable design.

Thanks to this brilliant feature, you can easily find the right angle of the sun.

So no matter what time of the day it is, you are sure that your solar panel will get the maximum sunlight to power your entire system.

Another thing that makes this solar panel quite appealing to many tiny house owners is how easy it is to install. Even though this solar panel is designed for portability, having the system set up is a stroll in the park.

And since it comes with pre-drilled mounting holes, you won’t spend hours reading through the installation manual to know how to set everything up. Our only real complaint about this solar panel is that it has a controller that is quite hard to read.

And since the display isn’t obvious, you can end up sending more energy to your batteries than is required, which can be a problem later on.

To be on the safer side, we strongly recommend replacing the controller that comes with the system.

Pros

  • The solar panel is bendable, making it easy to get the correct angle to trap sunlight.
  • The solar panel is relatively easy to mount
  • Its lightweight design makes it easy to transport and install
  • Delivers high voltage and amps at Pmax
  • Thanks to its pre-drilled mounting holes, you can have it up and ready sooner than you imagine

Cons

  • It comes with a hard to read control controller.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly can a 100-watt solar panel power?

Are you wondering what a 100-watt solar panel can run?

Well, let’s take you through all the details.

With a 100-watt solar panel installed in your home, you can power multiple devices, including smartphones, lamps, ceiling fans, laptops, Wi-Fi routers and other smaller devices.

On the flip side, if you plan to power much bigger devices like TVs, heaters, AC systems and similar devices, you may have to install more than one 100-watts solar panel.

Can I power a refrigerator with a 100-watt solar panel?

Even though you can power a refrigerator with a 100-watt solar panel, it will only work for a short time.

Just so you know, a 100-watt solar panel can only generate an average of 400-watt hours daily.

Your freezer will need over 2000 watts hours daily for it to work seamlessly.

Is a 100-watt solar panel okay for a tiny house on wheels?

If you live in a city that is quite sunny with little or no cloud cover, a 100-watt solar panel should produce just enough electricity to keep all your systems running optimally.

Unfortunately, you won’t get a decent output on a cloudy day.

So keep that in mind.