Solar Panel Comparisons – Pure Power Solar

Goal Zero’s Nomad 200 and Boulder 200 are some of the company's largest solar panels available. They offer different advantages depending on what you use them for. In this comparison, I'm going to break down each panel so you can fully understand which one is ideal for different uses. The best portable solar panel for most people will be the Nomad 200 for camping and road trips, while the Boulder 200 is best for those who are truly living off the grid. There are still situations, however, where one would be better over the other and it all depends on the user’s power needs. Everybody’s energy needs are different, and Goal Zero’s portable solar panels can meet those needs in different ways. For my needs, I would prefer the Boulder 200 Briefcase panel because I would be using it primarily at my house and would only be moving it around when I need to store it. Both portable solar panels have their benefits and drawbacks that will determine if they meet your needs. Let’s find out which one is best for you and your situation. Quick Look - Nomad 200 vs Boulder 200 Briefcase Model/SpecsNomad 200Boulder 200 BriefcaseAdvantageRated Power200W200WN/AHigh Power Port voltage14-23V, up to 14A (200W max)14-22V, up to 14A (200W max)NomadUSB-A port5V, 2.4A (12W max)N/ANomadDimensions (folded)28.2 x 22.3 x 2.0 in (71.6 x 56.6 x 5.0 cm)40 x 26.75 x 3.5 in (101.6 x 70 x 8.9 cm)NomadDimensions (unfolded)28.2 x 100.7 x 1.0 in (71.6 x 255.8 x 2.5 cm)40 x 53.5 x 1.75 in (101.6 x 140 x 4.4 cm)N/AMountable?NoYesBoulderWeight22 lbs (10 kg)42 lbs (19 kg)NomadWarranty12 months24 monthsBoulderSolar Cell TypeMonocrystallineMonocrystallineN/APrice$600 (Amazon)$500 (Amazon)Boulder Goal Zero’s Nomad 200 Solar Panel Goal Zero's Nomad 200 is a portable version of their Boulder 200 model. Although the Nomad 200 is big and heavy, it folds four times over to be compact. As described by Goal Zero’s product page, the Nomad 200 is designed for those “on the move”. The Nomad series of portable solar panels are made to be folded and easily stored away. The Nomads are made up of four monocrystalline panels and can generate up to 200 watts of solar energy. Like all of Goal Zero's solar panels, the Nomad 200 is best paired with larger Yeti power stations. As a solar generator system, the Yeti power stations have several inputs and outputs in order to take energy from the solar panels and deliver it to your devices and appliances. Nomad 200 Features The Nomad 200 comes with some useful and practical features, such as: Chaining - Four Nomad 200s are capable of connecting together with an APP to APP Combiner. The Nomad 200’s Anderson Powerpole (aka APP) connector is used specifically to charge portable power stations. With a combiner cable, up to four Nomad 200s can give you 800 watts of solar input.Protective Enclosure - Every Nomad panel folds over to be as compact as possible while still maintaining a rugged exterior. The panel also comes with hanging loops which allows you to strap the Nomad 200 to a tent, car, or anywhere you may need to hang it.Secure Placement - The Nomad 200 has built-in legs that allow it to be set onto the ground toward the sun without worry of it falling over.Integrated Cables - All cables can be hidden away quite easily thanks to a built-in mesh case. This is helpful since the Nomad 200 comes with a six foot High Power Port (Anderson Powerpole) cable. Nomad 200 Technical Specs The Nomad 200 is quite capable of capturing a ton of solar energy. Here’s some more information about the Nomad 200 that you may want to know: Rated Power200WOpen-circuit voltage (Voc)23VMaximum power voltage (Vmp)19.1VHigh Power Port voltage14-23V, up to 14A (200W max)USB-A port5V, 2.4A (12W max)Dimensions (folded)28.2 x 22.3 x 2.0 in (71.6 x 56.6 x 5.0 cm)Dimensions (unfolded)28.2 x 100.7 x 1.0 in (71.6 x 255.8 x 2.5 cm)Weight22 lbs (10 kg)Warranty12 monthsSolar Cell TypeMonocrystallinePrice$600Although the Nomad 200 has some impressive stats, the price of the panel is relatively expensive. Nomad 200’s Compatible Power Stations & Charge Times The Yeti 500X is the smallest power station that Goal Zero recommends using with the Nomad 200. Goal Zero has many power stations for you to choose from. Thankfully they’ve provided which ones work with the Nomad 200 and the charge times you can expect. Here are the recommended ones: Yeti 500X: Fully Charged in 3-6 Hours (Requires a High Power Port (HPP) to 8mm Connector cable)Yeti 1000X: Fully Charged in 6-12 HoursYeti 1500X: Fully Charged in 9-18 HoursYeti 3000X: Fully Charged in 18-36 Hours Goal Zero has other power stations that may have compatibility issues. Use these with caution and it’s best to reach out to customer support before deciding to get one of the following: Yeti 400: Fully Charged in 3-6 HoursYeti 400 Lithium: Fully Charged in 4-7 HoursYeti 1000 Lithium: Fully Charged in 8-16 HoursYeti 1400 Lithium: Fully Charged in 11-22 HoursYeti 3000 Lithium: Fully Charged in 18-36 HoursYeti 6000X: Fully Charged in 35-70 Hours If you're going to use a single Nomad 200 for a Yeti power station, I recommend using the Yeti 500X or 1000X. This is because you won't have to wait days on end to fully charge your power station. Pros and Cons of the Nomad 200 The Nomad 200 ports sit inside its zipper pouch. The Nomad 200 looks very similar to other smaller Nomad solar panels from Goal Zero. The Nomad 200 is a lightweight and easily portable option but doesn't have the capability some may need. Here's a look at the specifics to help you with your purchasing decision. ProsConsPowerful - rated at 200W (ideal output is realistically 160W)Must be used with a portable power station to do more than charge a phoneLightweight (for its size) at 22 lbsBigger power stations will take longer to charge unless multiple panels are usedCan be chained with three other Nomad 200sNo USB-C port (only standard USB-A)Folds 4x over to fit in small areasExpensive compared to similar 200W models Goal Zero’s Boulder 200 Solar Panel Briefcase The Boulder 200 Briefcase has a much more rugged design than the Nomad panel. Goal Zero describes their Boulder 200 Briefcase (or Boulder 200 BC for short) as the “ultimate on-the-go setup.” It’s part of the Briefcase series of solar panels meaning that they all fold into a briefcase-style format. It comes with a built-in handle on the solar panel itself, so all you have to do is fold it once over and carry it to your desired area. The Boulder 200 Briefcase is made up of two 100-watt solar panels that fold into each other for easy transportation. However, these solar panels are (similar to the Nomad lineup) meant specifically for Yeti portable power stations. Boulder 200 BC Features The Boulder 200 also has useful features that include: Built-in Protection - Tempered glass, an aluminum frame, and corner protection make up the Boulder 200’s overall protective measures Secure Placement - Equipped with a built-in kickstand to help angle the Boulder 200 toward the sunProtective Canvas Bag - Much like a briefcase, the bag is included to provide easy-to-carry transportation in addition to its handle Boulder 200 BC Technical Specs Knowing the tech specs of a product is essential when comparing similar products. You'd probably want to know the little things that make them different before you commit to one. Some general info on the Boulder 200 BC: Rated Power200WOpen-circuit voltage (Voc)21.8VMaximum power voltage (Vmp)18.1VHigh Power Port voltage14-22V, up to 14A (200W max)Dimensions (folded)40 x 26.75 x 3.5 in (101.6 x 70 x 8.9 cm)Dimensions (unfolded)40 x 53.5 x 1.75 in (101.6 x 140 x 4.4 cm)Weight42 lbs (19 kg)Warranty24 monthsSolar Cell TypeMonocrystallinePrice$500Although the Nomad 200 has some impressive stats, the price of the panel is relatively expensive. Boulder 200 BC’s Compatible Power Stations & Charge Times Being as powerful as the Nomad 200, the Boulder 200 can charge the same power stations. Goal Zero recommends four particular Yeti Power Stations if you don’t want to deal with compatibility issues. The recommended Yeti power stations are: Yeti 500X: Fully Charged in 3-6 Hours (Requires an HPP Connector cable)Yeti 1000X: Fully Charged in 6-12 HoursYeti 1500X: Fully Charged in 9-18 HoursYeti 3000X: Fully Charged in 18-36 Hours Goal Zero also gave a list of other power stations and their charge times. Although these may have compatibility issues and it’s best to use the recommended models, here are those other power stations: Yeti 400: Fully Charged in 3-6 Hours (May require an HPP Connector Cable)Yeti 400 Lithium: Fully Charged in 4-7 Hours (May require an HPP Connector Cable)Yeti 1000 Lithium: Fully Charged in 8-16 HoursYeti 1400 Lithium: Fully Charged in 11-22 HoursYeti 3000 Lithium: Fully Charged in 18-36 HoursYeti 6000X: Fully Charged in 35-70 Hours Pros and Cons of the Boulder 200 BC Goal Zero’s Boulder 200 is a powerhouse and somewhat easy to transport, but it does have some drawbacks, such as its weight. Here's another look at the specifics to help you with your purchasing decision. ProsConsPowerful - rated at 200W (ideal output is realistically 160W)Heavy (42 lbs) even for its power ratingRugged - aluminum frame and protective cornersOnly folds over once making it bulky to carry$100 less than the Nomad 200Only one output (HPP port)2x longer warranty versus Nomad 200Hard to maneuver when unfolded due to its size and weight Common Questions About the Nomad 200 Here are some questions that are frequently asked about the Nomad 200. Is the Nomad 200 Waterproof? The Nomad 200 is not waterproof but is water-resistant on its panel-facing sides. The open ports on the back of the panel are a weak point. Plus, the mesh pouch that houses the cables/ports is not water-resistant. It's not recommended to use the Nomad 200 in rainy weather. If you can keep water away from the USB port as well as your power station, you can probably use the Nomad 200 in light rain. Although it's not recommended by Goal Zero, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to use the Nomad while it's raining - and by using simple measures to avoid the rain, you can prevent it from damaging your equipment. Can I Chain a Nomad 200 with other Nomads? You cannot chain a Nomad 200 with other Nomad panels because they have different adapters. For example, the Nomad 50 and Nomad 100 use an 8mm adapter instead of the Nomad 200's HPP adapter. However, the Yeti 1000X or a larger Yeti model has inputs for both the Nomad 50 and Nomad 200. You can chain multiple Nomad 200 panels together with Goal Zero's 4X HPP Combiner to HPP Connector. The Nomads will connect via the combiner end of the cable. The combiner end has four ports for four Nomads, then the other end of the cable connects into a Yeti Power Station. You must use an HPP Combiner to HPP Connector to connect the Nomads as they are not designed to be connected directly to each other. What can I charge directly from the Nomad 200? You can charge any device directly from the Nomad 200 that takes in power via a USB-A port. Just connect your phone’s charging cable or other device’s charging cable into the USB-A port. Other than this port, you will not be able to charge much else since the HPP port is specifically meant for Yeti power stations. If you need to charge smaller devices directly, I suggest looking into smaller Nomad solar panels, as they have different outputs. Common Questions About the Boulder 200 Briefcase Although the Boulder 200 Briefcase is much heavier than the Nomad model, it has a much sturdier frame as well as a kickstand. According to the Boulder 200 User Guide and the Q&A section of the Boulder 200 BC product page, these are some of the most commonly asked questions and the answers: Is the Boulder 200 BC mountable and can it go on my roof? The Boulder 200 BC is not meant to be mountable but it can be placed on your roof. Goal Zero recommends using Boulder mounting brackets for "vehicle roofs and non-inhabited dwellings." They also suggest using two sets of mounting brackets for Briefcase models. For installing solar panels on the roof of your home, I recommend using a different solar panel that is meant for this purpose. You can find options that are much cheaper than Goal Zero panels. How do you mount a Goal Zero solar panel? You mount a Goal Zero solar panel by using their Boulder mounting brackets. These are meant specifically for the Boulder 50 and Boulder 100 panels, but you can use two sets of brackets for Briefcase models to secure them properly. The Boulder mounting brackets come with four brackets and four screws. Is the Boulder 200 Waterproof? The Boulder 200 is waterproof and can withstand rain, but make sure to keep your power stations dry and covered up. If you need a longer cable to keep your power station out of the rain, Goal Zero sells both 15ft and 30ft High Power Port extension cables. Since the Boulder panels are made with tempered glass, this allows it to deflect rain easily. The main concern for water on the panel itself is the gap between the Boulder Briefcase versions. Can I chain a Boulder 200 Briefcase with other Boulders? You can chain other Boulder models together by using an HPP combiner cable. The combiner cable allows you to chain up to four Boulder solar panels together. What can I charge directly from the Boulder 200? The Boulder 200 is designed to work with a power station to provide charging for your devices. The Boulder 200 Solar Charging Kit works similarly, but charges batteries instead of power stations. You cannot directly charge devices via the Boulder 200 unless they have an HPP input. Conclusion Both solar products from Goal Zero are great options to have depending on your needs. They provide a ton of solar energy with the convenience of carrying around your own personal solar panel. The Nomad 200 is best for those who are constantly on the move, while the Boulder 200 Briefcase is best for those who primarily use it in one location, but want a portable panel in case they need to move it or store it. Boulder 200 BC on Amazon Nomad 200 on Amazon