Have you ever wondered what you can do with a 100W solar panel? Consider this solar PV panel the one you can take with you wherever you go; hence, it’s ideal for out-of-town trips, especially camping.
Compared to the typical residential solar panel, a 100-watt solar panel is much smaller and produces less electricity. However, it can still be effective in generating solar energy that will allow you to power smaller devices.
The size of a 100-watt solar panel
100-watt solar panels vary in size, but you will typically find a 100W solar panel around 119 x 53 x 3.5 cmon the market.
The energy production
One of the most important things to know about a 100-watt solar panel is its capacity when it comes to energy production. First off, the panel used for this is rated at 100 watts, which means it delivers a power output of up to 100 watts of DC.
However, many factors can affect the solar panel’s output, such as the angle and direction. Like most solar panels, it also must receive peak sun to ensure it will produce maximum output.
The truth is, it’s impossible to get the best conditions at all times, so you need to know how you can make the most out of what you have. This also means that your 100-watt solar panel will produce different amounts of power depending on where and when you use it.
Overall, you can rely on a 100-watt solar panel to power small devices. Still, you need to consider the energy needs of your devices, as it’s likely that you can’t have everything running simultaneously.
Generally, you can run a laptop, a fan, some lighting, a WiFi router, etc., with a single 100-watt solar panel that is connected to a battery.
You can also increase the overall output of your solar panel by connecting it to multiple 100-watt panels too. In fact, this is a common solution that is easy to do.
A solar battery: does it work?
Even with a solar panel this small, you can still benefit when you pair it with a solar battery. Since it has varying amounts of energy output during the day, you want to have a place to store some excess energy that you can use throughout the night.
It’s also a good idea when you’re out to ensure there’s no unused power that will go to waste. So, we recommend you use a solar battery, especially if you’re going somewhere very remote to ensure you have power throughout the day and night.
Powering a home with a 100-watt solar panel
It’s not impossible to power a home with a 100-watt solar panel, but what’s the point, when you can get something bigger and more permanent? In addition, homes consume energy differently, which requires a different solar system size between 6kW to 10kW. The average household solar panel is rated between 250-400W. A 10kW system would require 100 x 100W panels, or 25 x 400W panels.
So, when you build a solar system using 100-watt solar panels, you will need many, many more to achieve the required output. Not only is this not cost effective, but the average Australian roof can usually only accomodate around 20-30 panels.
100W solar panels are not readily available for household solar PV systems. As technology has progressed, and the price of panels reduced, most solar PV manufacturers moved away from low-wattage panels. You will find that 100W panels are only readily available for travelling purposes.
Heading into the outback? Love camping? Take some of the conveniences of home with you with these portable solar panels and panel kits. Silent, clean and green – solar power can enhance your camping experience! Buy the best names in camping solar panels at the best prices in our online store.
