7 Best Solar Panel Kits With Battery and Inverter in 2023

Undoubtedly, features like panel power output, charge controller type, inverter type, and durability are vital in solar panel kits. But peak conversion efficiency matters most regarding exceptional performance, battery capacity, inverter capacity, type of solar cells, and charge controller.

Factors That Define the Best Solar Kits

Solar panels with high power output typically charge batteries faster. Hence, their importance to the function of solar panel kits. But charging depends not only on solar output wattage; charge controllers are also vital.

Solar charge controllers regulate the power getting to the battery bank from the solar kit. In doing this, they do not use all the power from solar panels to charge the batteries. Depending on their peak conversion efficiency, they convert only a part of it for charging.

A high peak conversion efficiency solar charge controller directs more solar power toward charging. Hence, it will charge more efficiently. Generally, an MPPT solar charge controller is more efficient than a PWM as MPPTs pull more power from solar panels.

You need a battery and an inverter to power your appliances with solar energy. Why? Batteries discharge direct current (DC), and home appliances generally give off alternating current (AC). Trying to power AC appliances with DC power is destructive. But since inverters convert DC to AC, you can power your AC appliances with solar panel kits if there’s an inverter.

Solar panel kits with large battery capacities are useful for heavier loads and longer periods. It checks out that the more solar power a battery can store, the more it can give out.

Solar cell type determines how efficiently solar panels generate solar power. There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film. But of all 3, those with monocrystalline cells offer the highest efficiency.

Best Solar Panel Kits at a Glance

• ECO-WORTHY 2340W – Overall Best
• ExpertPower – Best for Small Household
• ECO-WORTHY 200 Watts – Best for Camping
• WindyNation – Popular for RVs
• 800 Watt Complete Solar Kit – Best for Low Sunlight Areas
• 400 Watt 12 Volt Solar RV Kit – Solar Kit for RVs
• 100 Watt 12 Volt Solar RV Kit – Portable Solar RV Kit

Best Solar Panel Kits Review

1. ECO-WORTHY 2340W

The ECO-WORTHY Solar Panel Kit is the best for households with relatively high power needs. It can also be used for electricity while camping and for other off-grid uses.

The solar panel kits come with a battery and inverter. The kit combines high battery capacity, power output, efficiency, and durability. This is why we chose it as our overall best.

Output Power and Efficiency

Each one of the 12 solar panels of this solar kit generates around 195W of solar power. So, you can get up to 2340W of solar power in total – none of the other solar panel systems in this review come close. With such high output, you already know the charging rate of this kit would be decent, at the least.

Beyond having impressive solar power generation, it uses an MPPT charge controller, monocrystalline solar panels, and a sine wave inverter. A combination of all three is the perfect recipe for efficiency. This solar energy system does a lot to ensure it uses all the energy it gets.

With the MPPT charge controller, expect a peak conversion efficiency of more than 95%. As for the monocrystalline solar panel, the solar energy conversion efficiency is more than 21%. Each of those ratings is pretty high in their class.

Besides its high efficiency, the charge controller has a charging current rate of up to 80A, which is fast. None of the other solar panel kits in this review offer a current rate as high as this.

Battery Capacity, Inverter Rating, and Durability

This solar panel kit comes with two 48V 50Ah LiFePo4 batteries. With such high capacity, this product is suited for extended outdoor use; you can power your appliances long after the sun sets.

This solar panel kit features an inverter with a continuous power rating of 5000W. This review’s other solar power systems use inverters with lower power ratings.

This solar panel system has an aluminum frame that resists rust and features multiple circuit protection features.

This product is a quality solar panel kit all around. But this may not cut it if you want a portable solar panel kit. The 12 solar panels come with strips of portability.

Pros

• Remarkable output power.
• High battery capacity.
• Highly efficient unit.
• High-pressure resistance.
• Durable frame.
• Features multiple circuit safety elements.
• Rapid charge rate.

Cons

• It is not portable.

2. ExpertPower

The ExpertPower Solar Power Kit is best for homes with few appliances. This solar power kit has decent solar panel wattage, a 3KW pure sine inverter, decent battery capacity, and multiple safety features. So, it should work fine with small to medium loads.

Output Power and Efficiency

The solar panel kits come with four 100W monocrystalline panels. So, you can get up to 400W of solar energy – the same as the Complete Solar Panel Kit.

This solar system is highly efficient thanks to its monocrystalline solar cells, MPPT charge controller, and pure sine wave inverter. You get to use more of all the solar energy the unit gets compared to some average solar energy systems.

The charge controller has a charging current rate of 30A – on par with ECO-WORTHY 200 Watts and the WindyNation solar panel kits. This current charging rate might not be the fastest in our review, but it is still pretty impressive.

Battery Capacity, Inverter Rating, and Durability

Featuring two 100Ah, this solar system offers a 200Ah battery capacity, which is pretty decent. Of course, you can always get more batteries if the number of appliances you have to power increases. Its inverter has a continuous power rating of 3000W – only the ECO-WORTHY 2340W has a better wattage.

The ExpertPower is BMS-capable. In other words, it protects against over-temperature, overcharge, deep discharge, low voltage, overvoltage, and deep discharge.

Pros

• Decent battery capacity.
• High solar panel wattage.
• Relatively portable – you can even use it in an RV.
• Highly efficient.
• Features a battery management system.

Cons

• Not the best if you have many appliances.

3. ECO-WORTHY 200 Watts

The ECO-WORTHY 200 Watts Complete Solar Panel Kit product is the best for camping. It comes with portable batteries and efficient solar cells. So, you can carry it around easily, and it can generate power even when it does not get ample amounts of sunlight.

Output Power and Efficiency

The two PV panels are rated 100W each. So, altogether, you can get up to 200 W from the solar panels of this product. While these solar panels are not the best we have seen in this review, they are good enough for a camper’s off-grid solar kits.

While it uses monocrystalline solar panels and a sine wave inverter, this product is less efficient than the other solar kits we discussed. It uses a pulse width modulation (PWM) charge controller.

Its charge controller has a charging current rate of 30A. Considering this product’s minimal load, the current charging rate is satisfactory.

Battery Capacity, Inverter Rating, and Durability

The solar panel kits come with two 20Ah batteries – 40Ah – the lowest of all the solar systems in our review.

A battery capacity 40Ah will only last long if you minimize load or use the batteries sparingly. But then, since you’ll be out camping, you will unlikely run the batteries down quickly.

This product uses a 600W inverter – the lowest rating of all the products in this review. But since the battery ratings are low, the low inverter ratings should not be an issue.

It has a 1-year warranty. It has an aluminum frame and features multiple circuit protection systems.

Pros

• Portable unit – great for outdoor power generation.
• Decent solar panel wattage.
• An efficient unit.
• Uses monocrystalline panels, so its power generation is not readily hampered by sunlight intensity.

Cons

• The battery capacity could be higher.

4. WindyNation

The WindyNation Solar Panel Kit works best for RVs. It offers a decent battery capacity and solar panel wattage. So, overall, its function is satisfactory.

Output Power and Efficiency

The WindyNation 200 Watt comes with two 100W solar panels. So, overall, you can get up to 200W from the unit – the same as the ECO-WORTHY 200 Watts. This output is good enough for RVs with few appliances.

While the output of the solar panels of this product is decent, the overall efficiency could be better. This panel kit uses a modified sine wave inverter, polycrystalline solar panels, and a PWM controller. All of these together means you will have less usable energy than possible.

For a brand that produces solar generators and other innovative solar technology products, you wouldn’t expect polycrystalline panels, a modified sine wave inverter, and a PWM charge controller in their solar kit. But then, the product gets the job done, which is the most important thing.

While not as efficient as an MPPT controller, the PWM of this product has a charging current rate of 30A. A charging current rate of 30A is excellent, even for a PWM controller.

Battery Capacity, Inverter Rating, and Durability

The WindyNation comes with two 100Ah batteries. So, you get a battery capacity 200Ah – good enough for a minimal load in an RV. Its inverter can handle up to 1500W of continuous, which is impressive considering its specifications.

Pros

• It is portable.
• The charging speed is okay.
• Decent solar panel wattage.

Cons

• The efficiency could be better.

5. 800 Watt Complete Solar Kit

While the output power of the 800 Watt Complete Solar Kit is the second highest in our review, the solar panel efficiency is the standout feature for us. That efficiency is why we think it is the best for low-sunlight areas.

Output Power and Efficiency

As described by the manufacturer, this solar kit comes with four 200W solar panels. So, in all, we got approximately 800 watts of power. Besides our top choice, every other solar kit we tested offers less power. With 800 watts, we could power a broader range of appliances. So, if the other products seem limiting, you could check this out.

Besides the power output, the solar kit’s panels’ efficiency was impressive. Even when we placed them in low-light spots, the power generation was still appreciable. Unsurprisingly, the solar panels were monocrystalline, so their effectiveness in low sunlight areas made sense.

Battery Capacity, Inverter Rating, and Durability

This solar kit comes with a 12V, 200Ah battery – one of the highest battery capacities you’ll find amongst this type of solar kit. We tested how long the battery would power a 60W load, and the battery lasted more than a day. So, this battery should be more than enough for most small to medium-sized appliances.

The inverter can handle a continuous power of 2000W, which is pretty impressive. Then the 60A MPPT solar charge controller makes for top performance.

Pros

• High solar panel wattage.
• Highly efficient unit.
• High inverter capacity
• High charge controller rating
• Impressive battery capacity.

Cons

• Not a portable solar kit.

6. 400 Watt 12 Volt Solar RV Kit

Generally, the 400 Watt 12 Volt Solar RV Kit generates a fair amount of power. But an RV’s power output is more than just “fair” – 400 watts is a lot in RVs.

Output Power and Efficiency

This solar kit features four 100W monocrystalline solar panels, offering approximately 400W solar energy. While we’ve seen more power output from some of the other products we reviewed, this might be the best we saw in a solar kit specifically for RVs.

Even more impressive is the fact that the panels are monocrystalline. The high efficiency of monocrystalline panels might come in handy when the RV is parked beneath a tree or any other shady area.

Also, since RVs are not as tall as buildings, panels installed on them are farther from the Sun. With the panels farther from the sun, more of the radiation going in their direction would have less intensity, but the high efficiency of the panels might mitigate this effect.

Battery Capacity, Inverter Rating, and Durability

This kit doesn’t come with a battery. But it supports various types of Lithium batteries. So, you shouldn’t have any problem getting a battery for the solar panel system. Then again, the company sells solar batteries compatible with the kit.

There’s also no inverter in this kit. But you can get one separately from the same manufacturer.

The remote Bluetooth monitoring is a unique feature of the 400 Watt 12 Volt Solar RV Kit. Then the charging system is also pretty intuitive. The 30A PWM charge controller might not seem like a shiny specification. But for a small RV system, it is pretty okay.

Pros

• High solar panel wattage.
• Highly efficient solar panels.
• Intuitive charging.
• Remote monitoring and control

Cons

• No battery or inverter

7. 100 Watt 12 Volt Solar RV Kit

The relatively low power output of the 100 Watt 12 Volt Solar RV Kit may not be very desirable. But the portability was noteworthy as it allowed us to install the system in limited space.

Output Power and Efficiency

Featuring one 100W monocrystalline panel, we could only get approximately 100 watts of solar power from this kit on the best days. While this meant the load we could use on it was limited, it was still pretty okay. This would be okay if you only need a solar power system for small appliances like laptops, phones, and other similar appliances.

The efficiency of this kit is pretty remarkable. The fact that the solar cells are monocrystalline plays a part in the panel efficiency. But beyond that, the bypass diode does its part.

Battery Capacity, Inverter Rating, and Durability

This kit features no battery or inverter. So, you get to choose those two as you deem fit your needs.

The 30A PWM controller is certainly okay for a 100W solar system. So, there’s no complaint on that front.

Pros

• Portable kit.
• Highly efficient unit.
• Rapid charging.
• Multiple safety features to optimize battery health.

Cons

• It does not come with a battery and inverter.

Buyer’s Guide

Power Output

The wattage/power output of the solar panel of the kit you should get depends on how much power you need for appliances. Generally, with more appliances, you need solar panels of higher wattage.

Besides your load, the duration of sunlight in your region factors into selecting a solar kit with sufficient power output.

If you live in a low sunlight area, opt for a solar panel kit with a very high output. Solar panels with higher wattages can compensate for low sunlight by generating much power within a shorter period. You get to store some of the power they generate in batteries. So, when the sun sets, you can power your devices with batteries.

Inverter Type

To maximize your solar system’s power, opt for kits with pure sine wave inverters over those with modified sine wave inverters. Generally, pure sine wave inverters waste less energy than modified sine wave inverters, making them more efficient.

Besides checking the inverter type, pay attention to the continuous power rating. You should ensure that the inverter’s continuous power rating is higher than the total power consumption of all your devices by a safe margin. This way, the inverter will not readily go bad.

Battery Capacity

Always go for the product with a large battery capacity when buying solar panel kits. Kits with large battery capacities offer extended usage when there is no sun. They can also handle larger loads.

Charge Controller

When choosing solar kits, opt for MPPTs over PWMs. MPPTs are about 30% more efficient than PWMs. So, with an MPPT controller, you can use more solar power to charge the batteries.

Besides checking the controller type, pay attention to the current charging rate. Generally, charge controllers with a higher charging current rate (amperage) charge faster than those with lower rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Cheaper to Install Your Solar Panels?

Installing solar panels by yourself might be cheaper at the start. But if you do not get the installation correctly or use substandard materials/products, you may spend more money and more time.

Which Solar Panels Are the Best Quality?

Generally, the best solar panels have high output and high efficiency. In other words, a monocrystalline solar panel with high power production would be considered the best quality in many cases.

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?

The number of solar panels you need depends on your total power needs, the wattage of a single solar panel, and the space you have on your roof, RV, or wherever you want to install them.

So, if you need a total of 900W to power your devices for 8 hours daily and one solar panel produces 50W, you can calculate the number of solar panels you need as follows:

• If one panel produces 50W, you get 6 hours of sunlight daily. In a day, one solar panel will produce 300W.
• The number of solar panels you need = the total amount of power you need for devices daily ÷ the total power generated by one panel daily.
• So, in this case, you need the number of solar panels = 900 ÷ 300 = 3.

Theoretically, you need 3 solar panels. But to account for power losses due to various factors, you can get at least 4 or more solar panels instead of 3.

Summary

For the best outcomes, when buying solar panel kits with a battery and an inverter, ensure the solar panels have a high wattage and use monocrystalline solar cells.

Besides that, ensure the batteries have high capacity, and the kits come with a pure sine wave inverter and an MPPT charge controller.

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