I’ve rounded up some of the best small off-grid solar kits that will help you make the best decision when it comes to picking the suitable kit for your solar needs.
My results are below.
Please keep in mind that these systems do not include an inverter or battery.
- Topsolar 100W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit
- SUNER POWER 50W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit
- Renogy 200W 12V Monocrystalline Solar RV Kit
- ACOPOWER 400W Polycrystalline Solar Panel RV Kit
- WEIZE 200W 12V Solar Panel Starter Kit
- RICH SOLAR 200W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit
- SereneLife 200W Solar Panel Starter Kit
The best small off-grid solar kit is the Topsolar 100W Solar Panel Kit because it’s inexpensive ($140) and comes with high-quality components. Its solar panel is made with efficient monocrystalline cells while its 20A charge controller has an LCD screen and supports up to 260W of solar energy.
However, more powerful systems, as well as ones with different features, are available depending on your needs. Check them out below.
Ranking | Solar Kit | Highlights | Amazon Price & Rating* |
---|---|---|---|
1. Best Overall | Topsolar 100W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit | – Informative LCD screen – Inexpensive | $139.99 4.5/5 (400+ ratings) |
2. Best-in-Class: Versatility | SUNER POWER 50W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit | – Multiple optional mounting options – Under $100 | $85.99 4.5/5 (1,000+ ratings) |
3. Best for RVs | Renogy 200W 12V Monocrystalline Solar RV Kit | – Bluetooth compatible – 30ft MC4 cables | $459.99 4.6/5 (300+ ratings) |
4. Best-in-Class: Charge Controller | ACOPOWER 400W Polycrystalline Solar Panel RV Kit | – MPPT charge controller – 30ft MC4 cables | $632.99 4.8/5 (90+ ratings) |
5. Best Value | WEIZE 200W 12V Solar Panel Starter Kit | – Inexpensive – Powerful/efficient solar panels | $239.99 4.5/5 (160+ ratings) |
6. Best System Efficiency | RICH SOLAR 200W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit | – MPPT charge controller – 10AWG cables (high efficiency) | $379.99 4.9/5 (30+ ratings) |
7. Best Battery Compatibility Options | SereneLife 200W Solar Panel Starter Kit | – Informative LCD screen – Works with lithium-ion batteries | Unavailable 4.5/5 (85 ratings) |
If you’re looking for a small solar panel kit for a shed or garage, I discuss what is in my opinion the best kit and highlight why in my article found here: #1 Best Solar Panel Kit for Your Shed (Analysis & Comparison).
Below I’ll break down the contents of each kit and give you more details on features and specifications.
1. Topsolar Solar Panel Kit 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off-Grid System
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Charge controller has LCD screen | Doesn’t work with lithium batteries |
Can add solar panels if desired | PWM charge controller (not as efficient as an MPPT) |
Works with gel, sealed, and flooded batteries | Topsolar doesn’t have the same solar panel for individual sale on Amazon |
The Topsolar 100W Solar Panel Kit is another popular package that should be considered for your cabin, RV, shed, or any other mountable surface for off-grid use.
Its charge controller keeps you in the loop when there are issues with the battery and has fail-safes in place to prevent occurrences including reverse polarity and short circuits.
It is a simple product to install, thanks to the pre-drilled holes on the back of the panel. This added convenience ensures you will have fast mounting and securing of your kit.
The panel clocks in at 100 watts, but if you need or want to increase the size of your system to charge batteries faster, you can increase the capacity to the following:
- A maximum of 260 watts at 12 volts
- A maximum of 520 watts at 24 volts
Like the other kits on this list, this one is weather-resistant, being able to withstand high winds, rain, and snow.
What Does the Topsolar 100W Solar Panel Kit Come With?
- 100W solar panel
- 20A PWM charge controller
- 16ft 12AWG MC4 cables
- Tray cables
- Z mounting brackets
The value of this system comes from its low price, ease of use, and quality components.
With solar panel expansion available with this kit, it provides a great jumping-off point while allowing you the peace of mind that you can upgrade down the line.
The good news is that this device comes in at a 4.5 rating out of 5.0 on Amazon with over 400 ratings, so it is a well-received product.
How Many Batteries Do You Need for a 100-Watt Solar Panel?
One 360Wh (12V, 30Ah) battery is large enough to use with a 100-watt solar panel. This battery will recharge in about 4.5 hours in good sunlight and can be completely recharged in a single day. Larger batteries will take longer to recharge but may be ideal for a backup power source.
Check out my table below, where I show the recharging times of different batteries with a 100W solar panel.
How Fast Will a 100-Watt Solar Panel Charge a Battery?
A 100-watt solar panel will charge a 12V, 30Ah battery in 4.5 hours, a 12V, 100Ah battery in 15 hours, and a 12V, 150Ah battery in 22.5 hours; however, charging times vary depending on weather conditions, solar panel and charge controller efficiency, and the length and gauge of wire used.
Battery Size | Charging Time |
---|---|
360Wh (12V, 30Ah) | 4.5 hours |
600Wh (12V, 50Ah) | 7.5 hours |
1,200Wh (12V, 100Ah) | 15 hours |
1,440Wh (12V, 120Ah) | 18 hours |
1,800Wh (12V, 150Ah) | 22.5 hours |
2,400Wh (12V, 200Ah) | 30 hours |
12-volt solar panel systems require thicker wiring to transfer the energy (measured in amps) to the battery. The thinner the wire, the less efficient the system is as a whole.
Long wires/cables also decrease the efficiency of the system because energy is lost through the power transfer from the solar panel to the battery.
I have an article specifically for solar panel installation to give you a better idea of what the best installation looks like. You can find it here: Solar Panel Installation – Step-By-Step for Home and RV.
2. SUNER POWER 50 Watts Monocrystalline 12V Solar Panel Kit
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Inexpensive (under $100) | The charge controller doesn’t display exact volts or amps |
Optional pole & flat mounting brackets are available | Small power output (struggles on cloudy days) |
Comes with battery clamps and rings (most only come with one or the other) | Its 10A controller is not ideal for solar panel expansion |
The Suner Power 50W Solar Panel Kit is a budget offering for people who won’t be needing as much energy to power their equipment.
This system is great for topping off batteries and running systems like electronic gates and LED lights to name a few.
If you plan to be out of the cabin most days and not leaving your electricity on constantly, it could be the package you’ve been looking for.
It is durable and robust, crafted from highly efficient solar cells, tempered glass that is made specifically for solar panels, as well as a strong aluminum frame.
The company states that this product is built to last for at least 10 years.
What sets this system apart from the others is its maneuverability. SUNER POWER has several optional mounting systems for your needs, as seen below.
You can also add more solar panels to your system to fit your recharging needs.
This SUNER POWER kit comes with a unique charging algorithm that is optimized for three stages of charging.
The benefit of this is that it helps charge the battery more efficiently while preventing:
- Over-charging
- Over-discharging
- Over-voltage
- Short circuitry
While this one doesn’t have a screen, it does come complete with an LED charge controller that helps you understand the status of the solar panel, load, and other vital information.
This same LED monitor also has an option to choose times the device will be pulling in energy because there will be times of the day there will be no energy to pull in, so this is especially advantageous for that.
The following batteries are supported:
- AGM
- Flooded
- GEL
- Deep Cycle
- Sealed Lead Acid
What Does the SUNER POWER 50W Solar Panel Kit Come With?
- 50W solar panel
- 10A PWM charge controller
- 3-piece SAE cable kit
- Battery clamps
- Battery rings
- Bare wire cable
This kit also comes highly recommended by people who purchased it on Amazon. The rating is 4.5 out of 5.0.
3. Renogy 200 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar RV Kit
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
BT-1 module displays all data on your phone via Bluetooth | Doesn’t include fasteners to secure wiring to RV rooftop |
30A charge controller allows you to add more solar panels if desired (400W max) | Expensive for a 200W system |
Long 30ft MC4 cables for versatility | PWM charge controller (not as efficient as MPPT controller) |
The Renogy 200 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar RV Kit is another perfect product for living off-grid in an RV.
One of the coolest features in this kit is its Bluetooth-compatible BT-1 Module that connects to the charge controller.
This module lets you use your smartphone to access real-time data for your entire system, including the battery, solar panels, and more.
The panels benefit from a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame, which helps to extend the life of the solar panel.
There is also durable tempered glass on the solar panel, which is advantageous if any hard object hits the panel.
What Does the Renogy 200W Solar RV Kit Come With?
The kit is comprised of the following components:
- 2x 100W solar panel
- 30A PWM charge controller
- 30ft 10AWG MC4 cables
- 16ft 10AWG tray cable
- Set of parallel connectors
- BT-1 Bluetooth module
- Renogy cable entry housing
This is another well-reviewed product, garnering 4.5 stars out of 5.0 with over 300 ratings.
Similar: What Kind of Solar Panel Do You Need for Your RV? (Basic Guide)
How Many Batteries Do You Need for a 200-Watt Solar Panel?
Two 360Wh (12V, 30Ah) batteries are ideal to use with a 200-watt solar panel. This setup can be completely recharged in a single day in good sunlight. A single 1,200Wh (12V, 100Ah) battery will work well if more battery storage is needed and will take about 7.5 hours to recharge.
The most important calculation to review is your estimated power consumption from the appliances/devices you intend to power with your batteries.
If you use more power than your batteries can handle in a day, it may be best to get a bigger battery along with more solar panels.
My table below shows the recharging times of different batteries with a 200W solar panel input.
How Long Does It Take a 200W Solar Panel to Charge a 12V Battery?
A 200-watt solar panel will charge a 12V, 30Ah battery in 2.25 hours, a 12V, 100Ah battery in 7.5 hours, and a 12V, 150Ah battery in 11.25 hours. Sunlight conditions as well as the solar panel’s angle to the sun drastically affect battery recharging times.
Battery Size | Charging Time |
---|---|
360Wh (12V, 30Ah) | 2.25 hours |
600Wh (12V, 50Ah) | 3.75 hours |
1,200Wh (12V, 100Ah) | 7.5 hours |
1,440Wh (12V, 120Ah) | 9 hours |
1,800Wh (12V, 150Ah) | 11.25 hours |
2,400Wh (12V, 200Ah) | 15 hours |
What Will a 200W Solar Panel Run?
A 200W solar panel system will run the following appliances:
- 40W box fan for 17+ hours
- 60W CPAP machine for 13 hours
- 100W LED TV for 6.8 hours
- 1,000W microwave for 40 minutes
These run times are based on 800Wh of usable battery storage, which is the average daily energy output from a 200W solar panel.
A solar panel alone cannot run any devices unless it comes with USB ports.
A battery is recommended for nearly any solar panel setup.
I calculated 800Wh of usable energy based on a daily average of five hours of full sunlight and about 80% solar panel efficiency (160W).
4. ACOPOWER 400W Polycrystalline Panel Solar RV Kit
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
40A MPPT charge controller | Comes with polycrystalline panels (not as efficient as monocrystalline) |
Works with lead-acid, AGM, gel, and lithium batteries | Its 12AWG MC4 (PV) cables are sufficient, but 10AWG cables are ideal for this type of kit |
The ACOPOWER 400 watts Polycrystalline Panel Solar RV Kit is another kit you should not cast aside.
This is another high-capacity kit that boasts a wealth of features that will be perfect for an RV or small cabin.
With four polycrystalline panels, this system is one of the most powerful in this list. If you need more power to run appliances and devices, this kit will output around 2,000Wh per day.
If you want to know more about the differences between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels, I break it down in my article here: Monocrystalline Vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels – What’s the Difference?
The ACOPOWER kit benefits from a multi-function LCD display to put you in control of how the machine operates while also giving valuable information about the temperature, the power inputs and outputs, and everything in between.
This product is compatible with the following batteries:
- Lead-acid
- AGM
- Gel
- Lithium
With this being an all-in-one selection, it also comes with all of the appropriate items to complete your installation except for the inverter and battery.
What Does the ACOPOWER 400W Solar RV Kit Come With?
- 4x 100W solar panels
- 40A MPPT charge controller
- 30ft 12AWG MC4 cables
- 8FT 8AWG tray cable
- 4x sets of Z brackets
- Waterproof cable entry housing
- 3x sets of parallel connectors
On the review front, this one boasts a 4.8 rating out of 5.0 on Amazon, giving peace of mind that this is a stellar product if it fits your needs.
How Long Will It Take a 400 Watt Solar Panel to Charge Your Battery?
A 400-watt solar panel will charge a 12V, 100Ah battery in 3.75 hours, a 12V, 150Ah battery in 5.6 hours, and a 12V, 200Ah battery in 7.5 hours. These numbers are based on quality sunlight conditions with 80% solar panel efficiency.
Battery Size | Charging Time |
---|---|
600Wh (12V, 50Ah) | 1.9 hours |
1,200Wh (12V, 100Ah) | 3.75 hours |
1,440Wh (12V, 120Ah) | 4.5 hours |
1,800Wh (12V, 150Ah) | 5.6 hours |
2,400Wh (12V, 200Ah) | 7.5 hours |
Similar: Top 5 Fastest Charging Solar Generators (Via AC Outlet & Solar Panels)
5. WEIZE 200 Watt 12 Volt Solar Panel Starter Kit
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
High-quality solar panels (high output) | Has an average charge controller |
Good value for the price | No warranty information is available |
The WEIZE 200 Watt 12 Volt Solar Panel Starter Kit is another solid option because it comes with a wealth of features that make it a worthwhile product to own for your cabin.
The panel itself is corrosion-resistant due to its:
- Sealed junction box
- Anodized frames
- Tempered glass
- Aluminum frame
So you don’t have to worry about the weather causing damage to the product.
When it comes to the size of the product, here is what you need to know:
- Each solar panel clocks in at 36.4 inches x 26.7 inches x 1.2 inches.
- Each panel produces 300 to 600 watt-hours per day (dependent on sun conditions)
What Does the WEIZE 200W Solar Starter Kit Come With?
- 2x 100W solar panels
- 30A PWM charger controller
- Pair of 20ft 12AWG MC4 cables
- 8ft battery tray cable
- Mounting brackets & screws
Another benefit is that it is another well-reviewed product, garnering a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, with praise coming for its small form factor and robust features.
Similar: ELECAENTA 120W Foldable Solar Panel Review (Testing & Comparison)
6. RICH SOLAR 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Has MPPT charge controller with LCD display | Cannot add more solar panels (200W max for 12V systems) |
Comes with 10AWG cables for higher efficiency | RICH SOLAR sells a Bluetooth-compatible BT-1 module to access all solar data via smartphone, but it doesn’t come with this kit |
The RICH SOLAR 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit is an excellent system to have for three main reasons:
- It has an MPPT charge controller – More efficient than PWM controllers
- Monocrystalline solar panels – Most efficient solar cells out there
- 10AWG cables – These wires are thicker than 12AWG cables, making them transfer power efficiently
As you can see, this system is efficient.
This allows peace of mind to know that this is working the best for you and that you are getting the most power possible.
Its LCD screen is also a major upside as you’ll see the amount of power running through the system.
The company also sells a BT-1 Module on their website, which allows you to access several data points while your system is running via Bluetooth.
What Does the RICH SOLAR 200W Solar Starter Kit Come With?
- 2x 100W solar panels
- 20A MPPT charge controller
- 20ft 10AWG MC4 cables
- 8ft 10AWG tray cable
- 2x sets of Z brackets
- Set of parallel connectors
This product clocks in at 4.9 stars out of 5.0 on Amazon, so if you like the idea of increasing the product into something more down the line, this could be the one for you.
Similar: Solar Generator vs Battery – Which Is Ideal?
7. SereneLife 200W Solar Panel Starter Kit
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Informative LCD charge controller | Not currently available on Amazon |
Works with lithium-ion batteries | Installation is not easy for beginners |
The SereneLife 200W Solar Panel Start Kit is another robust product that benefits from some great features to keep your cabin, RV, van, etc. powered.
Unfortunately, this kit is not currently available on Amazon. Sometimes the company will restock their products, so it is still on this list.
If this kit is ideal for you, I recommend checking Amazon for the product to see if it’s back in stock.
The kit comes with two reliable 100-watt solar panels, which work together to provide 800 watt-hours of daily power into a 12-volt battery.
Another positive of this kit is that it comes complete with an LCD screen, allowing you to keep track of how much power is coming and, as importantly, how much power is being used.
What Does the SereneLife 200W Solar Starter Kit Come With?
- 2x 100W solar panels
- 30A PWM charge controller
- 2x sets of mounting brackets
- 10x wire fixers
- 3ft 11AWG solar panel connection cable
- 20ft 11AWG sheathed cable set w/ aviation connector
- 8ft 11AWG tray cable w/ 15A fuse
This product comes in at 4.4 stars out of 5.0 on Amazon, with people complimenting the small form factor and the ease of installation.
Similar: Portable Solar Panels: Advantages and Disadvantages
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Solar Kits
Can You Overcharge a Battery With a Solar Panel?
You can overcharge a battery with a solar panel if you connect the panel directly to the battery. A charge controller protects the battery from overcharging. The battery, solar panel(s), and electrical load connect to the charge controller for a safe and efficient transfer of power.
Can Solar Power Run a Fridge?
Solar power can run a full-size fridge for an unlimited amount of time with a 2,000Wh battery and 1,000W of solar panels in good sunlight. A full-size fridge consumes about 1,900Wh daily. The battery recharges from solar during the day which allows it to run the fridge throughout the night.
For more detailed information, I have an article that discusses solar generators for fridges that breaks down:
- The power consumption of various full-size fridges
- The number of hours that each fridge can run for with specific battery sizes and solar panel arrays
- How to calculate the above two points for yourself
I recommend checking it out here: 3 Best Solar Generators for Your Fridge (With Run Times).
Pick the Best Solar Grid for Your Needs
Above is an excellent list of some of the most popular off-grid solar kits, but it will come down to your individual needs.
We’ve included several different offerings for all budgets and cabin/RV/van sizes.
The beauty of most of the solar kits on our list is that you can pick one and increase the capacity with more panels and batteries.
For a more in-depth look into solar panel kits, my article on the best solar panel kit for your shed highlights the specifics on:
- Solar kit installation and configuration
- Complete solar kits (with battery, fuse box, and inverter)
- 200W solar kits comparisons
Check it out here: #1 Best Solar Panel Kit for Your Shed (Analysis & Comparison).