100-watt solar panel is a small device that you can carry with you. You can use it to charge your phone or laptop and light your tent in a camp and other off-grid places. This solar is compatible with 12V batteries and is best fitted for small appliances.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could power your whole house with solar panels? We’ll learn that in the latter part of this article. But before that, we’ll learn about 100-watt solar panels, which will come in handy in our daily lives.
Solar energy is the answer to our future energy requirements. Over the years, its use has increased, and it’s snowballing. A solar panel is a device that receives sunlight and converts it into electricity.
Here we will discuss all the nitty-gritty of 100-watt solar panels. You will know where you can use them in daily life. So, without further ado, let’s take this show on the road.
How Does Solar Panel Works?
Before we go down to all the details about 100-watt solar panels, we’ll see how solar panel works:
- Firstly, solar panels have photovoltaic cells that are made of silicon semiconductors. They convert sunlight into electricity.
- Then sunlight directly falls onto a solar panel, and the photovoltaic cells absorb the energy and turn it into electricity by creating electrical charges that move in response to an internal field in the cell.
- Finally, the electricity is stored in a battery and distributed to other devices. You will have to integrate the solar panels and the whole system with your home or any other place you wish to use.
The good thing about solar is that you can use the energy by mixing it with other renewable energy sources of the traditional energy sources. So, you can use the solar panel as your primary or secondary energy source.
100 Watt Solar Panel Will Run What?
Solar panels are getting popular with time. That’s why solar panels have increased to the consumer level. Now, a lot of devices are compatible with solar power. More and more devices are manufactured to run on solar energy.
You can run most electronic devices with this renewable and clean energy, but a single 100-watt solar panel is only suitable for a handful of devices. You can easily run many small devices with it.
Since a 100-watt solar panel is small, about 47×21.3×1.4 inches, you can easily carry it around with you. If you are planning on using solar energy, it’s wise to start with a small 100-watt panel and see how it goes.
However, you can use a 100-watt solar panel on many small devices. Homeowners generally love solar panels to light their garden and walkway lamps. You can also use this solar panel to charge your smartphones, laptops, and tabs. Besides, it can also run ceiling fans, wifi routers, lamps, etc.
Since a 100-watt solar panel does not have any power storing capabilities, the energy you are not using will be wasted. So, you will have to use a battery. If you want to store the electricity for later use.
Can You Run A TV With A 100 Watt Solar Panel?
A 100-watt solar panel is a small device; people generally use it as a backup for small devices. But you will be amazed to know its capability. Many devices can be run by this small device that you never thought of.
You can run most modern TVs with a single 100-watt solar panel since the requirement of the TVs is less than 100 watts. Generally, a 32-inch LED TV needs only 41 watts, a 32 inches LCD TV requires 70 watts, and the same size OLED TV requires 57 watts.
So, you can use up to 60 inches of LED TV, 40 inches of LCD TV, and 50 inches of OLED TV with a 100-watt solar panel. But, you cannot run any Plasma TV with it. However, this solar panel can also run up to 21 inches of CRT TV.
| TV | Screen Size | Watt |
| LCD | 32 Inches | 70 Watt |
| LED | 32 Inches | 41 Watt |
| OLED | 32 Inches | 57 Watt |
| Plasma | 32 Inches | 160 Watt |
| CRT | 32 Inches | 150 Watt |
Will a 100w solar panel run a fridge?
A fridge is a large device that requires a lot of electricity. But some small fridges need less electricity. Generally, a standard-size refrigerator with a combined freezer needs 2000 watt-hours daily.
But a 100-watt solar panel can produce only 400 watt-hours per day. So, you can only run these refrigerators for a short time. But you will need a battery for that. So, it’s recommended not to run a fridge with a 100-watt solar panel.
However, some small domestic fridges need 65 or fewer watts. So, you can run those fridges with a single 100-watt solar panel. But using multiple solar panels together, you can run any fridge all day.
So, all in all, do not try to run a refrigerator with a single 100-watt device; it might damage both your solar panel and refrigerator.
How Many Amps Does A 100 Watt Solar Panel Produce?
Amp or ampere is the unit of electrical current measurement in the SI system. If I elaborate, it is the electromotive force or the differences of potential that can drive one ampere of current against 1-ohm resistance.
1 amp is equal to 120 watts. So, a 100-watt solar panel can produce 6 amps per hour on average when the sun is at its peak. In total, you will get about 30 amp-hours per day.
However, when all conditions are optimized, a 12V 100-watt solar panel produces 5.55 amps. But you cannot calculate the absolute amp value of a 100-watt solar panel. It depends on a lot of things.
For example, the sun must be on the right angle, and the panel must receive and produce the maximum energy level to achieve this amount of amp.
100 Watt Solar Panel Kit With Battery And Inverter
A solar panel only produces electricity, but it cannot store them. So, any unused capacity will be wasted if you do not store them in a battery. You must use a high-quality battery for better backup and performance. But do not connect the solar panel directly to the battery; use a regulator.
An inverter is another essential part of the equipment of a solar energy system. It works as an agent between AC and DC. Solar panels generate direct current, and the electrical grid uses alternating current.
So, this device converts the direct current to alternating current and makes it compatible with all the devices since most of our electrical devices run by AC. That’s why you have to use an inverter with your solar panel.
You should use a 200-watt inverter with your 100-watt solar panel. Make sure the inverter has at least 20% more capacity than your largest power output. You can run all your devices without any hassle.
100 Watt Solar Panel Output On Cloudy Day
Your solar energy system is entirely run by direct sunlight. So, the performance and production rate depend on how much sunlight your panel receives. However, many people think solar panels do not work on cloudy days. But that’s just a misconception.
A 100-watt solar panel can produce about 25 percent of energy on a cloudy day as it could on a bright sunny day. However, it produces more electricity in colder than in warmer climates. But the production rate can be down to 10% on rainy days.
You will get a maximum output of 1 or 2 amp per hour on cloudy days. So, if you live in a place where cloud occurs regularly in high volume, you must consider it while calculating the output from a 100-watt solar panel.
Best 100 Watt Solar Panel
When it comes to a 100-watt solar panel, only the best ones can offer you a performance of your liking. Hundreds of 100-watt solar panels are out there, but not all are good.
To purchase the right one, you must know the names of the best brands in the market. Here, I will show the 5 best 100-watt solar panels so that you can decide which one to go for.
Renogy 12 Volt Monocrystalline 100 Watt Solar Panel
This plug-and-play solar kit comes with a 100W solar suitcase, alligator clips, and a waterproof 20A charge controller. You can use various 12V batteries with it. Because of its foldable design and 26.6 pounds weight, you can easily carry it with you.
Renogy solar system has grade A+ monocrystalline solar cells and an advanced smart PWM technology charge controller that provides excellent efficiency and protects the battery and solar system.
Renogy Monocrystalline PV 100W Solar Panel
The good thing about this kit is that it comes with 2 100-watt solar panels, providing 200 watts combined. This 16.5 pounds solar kit is reasonably lightweight, and its frame is made of aluminum. That’s why it’s very sturdy so that you can carry it with you.
RICH Polycrystalline High Efficiency 100 Watt Solar Panel
This high-efficient solar panel provides excellent low-light performance. Besides, it can withstand any harsh weather. You will get a 3 inches cable with connectors. It can generate 5.4 amp power and charge 12V batteries.
On top of that, this single 100-watt solar panel kit comes with a 25-year limited warranty for power output and a 5-year material and workmanship warranty.
WindyNation 100 Watt Solar Panel
This 100-watt solar panel frame is made of aluminum and weighs around 18 pounds. So, you can easily carry it and use it off the grid. It is specially designed for RVs, cabins, camps, boats, and backup power for homes.
With Grade A solar cells, you will get excellent performance and durability. The kit comes with a 25 years power warranty and 5 years warranty on parts.
Checkout the WindyNation 100 watt solar panel on Amazon
SUAOKI Monocrystalline 100 Watt Solar Panel
SUOKI 100 watts solar panel is extremely lightweight and weighs only 5.3 pounds. That’s why you can easily use it in cabins, tents, cars, and any off-grid places. Besides, they perform excellently under low light.
This bendable solar panel is very durable and has water-resistant capability.
How to Use a 100 Watt Solar Panel
We already know how a solar panel works. Now we’ll see how to use a 100-watt solar panel:
- Firstly, all 100-watt solar panels have a single panel that you connect to a battery for storing electricity.
- Then you will have to use an inverter to convert DC power to AC power.
- Since these solar panels are small in size and lightweight, they are incredibly portable. So, you can carry them with you. Most 100-watt solar panel systems are designed for cars, RVs, boats, cabins, tents, and other off-grid places.
- Cleaning is an essential part of using solar panels. You will have to clean them regularly so that dirt and debris do not cover the panel. Otherwise, you won’t get the maximum energy from your solar panel.
You can also use 100-watt solar paneles in your home as backup power. It can run most small devices. Besides, you can also run your TVs with it and fridges for a short period. Check your solar panel compatibility before using it.
100 Watt Solar Panel Price
The price of 100-watt solar panels varies on brands, construction material, the kits they come with, warranty, and many other factors. Typically, a standard 100-watt solar panel comes at 47×21.3×1.4 inches in size. But the size, design, built quality, and performance vary from brand to brand.
However, a 100-watt solar panel with no kits generally costs about $100 to $250. On the other hand, a 100-watt solar panel with various kits can cost about $150 and more. The price variation is because of the brand value, its performance, and other facilities it offers.
Here I will show the price of our previously selected top 5 solar panels. Most of them are with kits; that’s why the price includes all the kits and services they come with.
100 Watt Solar Panel With Battery Price
The battery is an essential part of a solar power system. Without it, you cannot store electricity produced by your solar panel. We’ve already discussed the battery’s importance, so I won’t elaborate.
Here we’ll see the price of 100 watts solar panels with battery. Solar panels with batteries will cost you more than a standalone 100-watt solar panel. Generally, the price ranges between $200 and $400.
Sometimes, you will get a solar panel and battery combo, and sometimes you will have to buy them separately. But most solar panel kits do not come with a battery.
How Long Does A 100 Watt Solar Panel Take To Charge A Battery?
We know that batteries store the electricity produced by solar panels. Generally, 100-watt solar panels are compatible with 12V batteries. But the time required for a battery to become fully charged depends on a couple of factors such as battery type and size.
For example, a 100 Ah lithium iron phosphate battery, when 80% discharged, will take about 20 hours to become fully charged by a 100-watt solar panel. With the increase of watts, the charging time will reduce. Always try to fully charge your battery.
How Many Batteries Can A 100 Watt Solar Panel Charge?
A solar panel needs many accessories to store electricity and run properly. Batteries, chargers, inverters, etc., make solar energy usable with our daily use devices. You will find many types of batteries for solar panels.
Batteries like Lead Acid and Lithium-Ions are the most popular and most used with solar panels. They are very powerful batteries with excellent capabilities. Typically, 100-watt solar panels are compatible with 12 V and 100 Ah batteries.
You can charge one battery of this capacity with a 100-watt solar panel. It will take somewhere between 14 hours to 20 hours to fully charge it, depending on the sun exposure, clouds, etc.
How Many 100 Watt Solar Panels Does It Take To Run A House?
An entire house requires a lot of electricity to run. Nowadays, we have many electronics in our household. You will need a handful of 100-watt solar panels to match the electricity requirement of a house.
On average, a house requires 29,530 watts of electricity per day. That means you will need at least 70 100-watt solar panels to meet the daily requirement of a typical household.
I know it’s a lot of solar panels and will take a lot of space. So, if you really want to run your entire house with solar energy, use solar panels with bigger capabilities.
Final Thoughts
Solar panels are a renewable energy source and are extremely environmentally friendly. That’s why people are caving toward them. I’ve tried to give you all the necessary knowledge about 100-watt solar panels.
Now that you know all about this solar panel, it will be easier for you to understand where you should use it and where you shouldn’t.
References
Utomo, S. B. Design and Development of Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) for 100 Watt Solar Panel Base on Buck Boost Converter. Scitation. Retrieved from https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.5133926
Gul, M., Kotak, Y., Muneer, T. Review on recent trend of solar photovoltaic technology. SAGE journals. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0144598716650552
Philips, D. L. A Simple Method to Increase the Amount of Energy Produced by the Photovoltaic Panels. Hindawi. Retrieved from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijp/2014/901581/
Eng. Matthew Joseph Nandirio is the Founder of walkingsolar.
After graduating from the University of Houston in 2002, matt started working as a Solar Electrical Engineer for several multi-national solar energy companies.
He has a wide range of experiences including solar system requirement analysis, planning, maintaining, debugging and even solar device development through research.
He now shares his 20 years of expertise through his articles on the walkingsolar website.
Further, he is also the author of two books on Solar Technology, “Solar Power for Villages” and “DIY Solar System for Dummies”.
