If you are looking into or researching solar panel brands, you’ve probably realised there are more than a few brands in the market.
When it comes to the smaller 100 watt panels that can be used for off grid purposes, it’s worth comparing the Windynation vs Renogy brands.
Both brands offer a standalone 100 watt solar panel, and if you want most parts you need to get started, they also offer a 100 watt solar panel starter kit.
Below we compare each brand, along with which brand offers the best value for their panels, and which one might be best for your requirements.
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Windynation vs Renogy: Comparison & Reviews
Renogy
What Do They Offer From A Product Perspective?
Renogy offers both a standalone 100 watt 12 volt Monocrystalline panel, and a starter kit with the same panel that includes most things you need to get started.
The panel specs are:
- 100 Watt panel
- Mono-crystalline type panel
- 18.9 volt operating voltage – good for 12 volt DC battery charging
- Operating current is stated at 5.29 Amps
- Panel dimensions are 47 X 21.3 X 1.4 In = 1001 square inches surface area
- 16.6 lbs in weight
- 25 year warranty on the panel itself in terms of performance, and 5 years on the materials and worksmanship (check conditions of warranty when buying through third parties though)
In the starter kit, you get:
- The panel – see above
- A solar controller – Renogy Wanderer 30A PWM Charge Controller which allows up to a 400 Watt panel system
- Connectors – 20ft 10AWG MC4 Adaptor Kit to connect from your panel to your solar controller
- Cables – 8ft 10AWG Tray Cable to connect the controller to the battery
- Brackets – Z bracket to mount your panel to a surface
- NOTE: you may need to get some additional fuses, lugs or wire to complete the install of this kit
What Would You Use These Panels For?
- Any home or off grid purpose where you want to charge 12 volt batteries
- On your RV, camper trailer, van/car, cabin, home or even on your boat charging marine batteries
Where To Check These Panels Out?
View the Renogy 100 Watt 12 volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit on Amazon
View the Renogy 100 Watt 12 volt Monocrystalline Panel on Amazon
Windynation
What Do They Offer From A Product Perspective?
Windynation offers both a standalone 100 watt 12 volt Polycrystalline panel, and a starter kit with the same panel that includes most things you need to get started.
The panel specs are:
- 100 Watt panel
- Poly-crystalline type panel
- 17.4 volt max operating voltage – good for 12 volt DC battery charging
- Max Operating current is stated at 5.75 Amps
- Panel dimensions are 40 x 26.4 x 1.2 = 1056 square inches surface area
- 17.6 lbs in weight
- 25 year warranty on the panel itself in terms of performance, and 5 years on the materials and worksmanship (check conditions of warranty when buying through third parties though)
In the starter kit, you get:
- The panel – see above
- A solar controller – 30-Amp (user adjustable) WindyNation P30L LCD Display Solar Charge Controller with Battery Temperature Sensor
- Connectors – MC4 Connectors
- Cables – 40 ft of UL Listed 12 AWG Solar Cable
- Brackets – mounting hardware and fasteners
- NOTE: you may need to get some additional fuses, lugs or wire to complete the install of this kit
What Would You Use These Panels For?
- Any home or off grid purpose where you want to charge 12 volt batteries
- On your RV, camper trailer, van/car, cabin, home or even on your boat charging marine batteries
Where To Check These Panels Out?
View the Windynation 100 Watt 12 volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit on Amazon
View the Windynation 100 Watt 12 volt Monocrystalline Panel on Amazon
Which Is Better For You – Renogy or Windynation?
Both panels will give you similar value and are similar overall – whether you get them as single panels, or in the starter kits.
Performance of the panels is always going to be subjective because the following variables will always dictate how many Amps you get out of the panel anyway:
- The panel itself (type of panel, how big it is to catch sunlight, and how efficient it is in terms of Amps/output)
– The Renogy is a Monocrystalline panel which is 47 X 21.3 X 1.4 inches = 1001 square inches of panel surface area. It has a stated optimum output of 5.29 Amps
– The Windynation is a Polycrystalline panel which is 40 x 26.4 x 1.2 inches = 1056 square inches of panel surface area. It has a stated maximum output of 5.75 Amps
However, interestingly you can check out a direct comparison of the output of the two panels here – where the Renogy slightly outperformed the Windynation under load.
Some solar companies also say monocrystalline panels are slightly more space efficient (produce more power per square area of panel) than poly crystalline panels – but that extra efficiency is quite minimal.
- The weather and amount of direct sunlight available
– Dependent on conditions you use them in (sunny, cloudy, rainy), and how much direct sunlight they get
- The charge controller and system you use (look at the efficiency of the controller, and maximum system ratings)
– The Renogy starter kit comes with a Renogy Wanderer 30A PWM Charge Controller
– The Windynation starter kit comes with a 30 Amp (user adjustable) WindyNation P30L LCD Display Solar Charge Controller with Battery Temperature Sensor
Overall, we think you would be happy with either panel purely from a product perspective, as they are very similar and have no major drawbacks.
Both of them would be worth the money to invest in – and both the starter kits offer fantastic value for money.
But, if we had to choose one brand over the other, we would only just choose Renogy because:
- Renogy appear to have more resources as a company for delivery (shorter delivery times), and customer & technical support (more people and resources to answer calls and questions you might have)
- Renogy is so well known that you might have a higher chance of finding solar accessories that are compatible with Renogy’s products in the future
- There’s a good chance Renogy will keep developing their products in the future
- The Renogy panel is slightly lighter
View the Renogy 100 Watt 12 volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit on Amazon
View the Renogy 100 Watt 12 volt Monocrystalline Panel on Amazon
Windynation vs Renogy: Resources
1. https://www.renogy.com/
2. http://www.windynation.com/
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