Are you thinking of switching up to RV living this year? Do you need an off-grid power system in place? Not to worry, choose the best 200w solar panel for your RV with our guide. After comparing features like price, durability, efficiency, etc., we’ve found the top 5 200w solar panels of 2023.
Whether you want to go off-grid or you love to hit the road with your RV, these solar panels offer a reliable and renewable power source. From old and trustworthy brands like Renogy and Goal Zero to emerging ones like BLUETTI, there’s a lot to choose from, and you will find the solar panel that suits all your needs.
The Top 5 Brands of 200w Solar Panels
Renogy 200w Solar Panel:
Considered the golden retriever of the solar panel world, the Renogy 200w solar panel is a go-to solar product for your RV or home. It’s pretty durable and has an extended outdoor’s life. Renogy 200w has high resistance to both wind and snow; plus, it can generate up to 1000 watts per day depending on the Sun time.
Moreover, Renogy 200w solar panel has pre-drilled holes in its corrosive-resistant aluminum frame that help to mount it on the RV and for grounding easily. The anti-reflective, low iron-tempered, and highly resistant glass protect against impact and damage.
Renogy 200-watt is compatible with both on-grid and off-grid and is a great choice for your RV out in the wilderness with a 5 years material and workmanship warranty.
BLUETTI 200W solar panel:
Lightweight and portable, the BLUETTI 200 watt solar panel is the border collie of the solar panel world. You can carry it anywhere with your RV and set it up in a sunny spot for some power generation. Pair it with BLUETTI Solar Generator to power all your devices, or save the solar energy with a BLUETTI Power Station for nighttime.
BLUETTI 200w solar panel has features like a great efficiency rate of 23.4%, a 12-month warranty, and long-lasting ETFE Coating that prevents it from scratches and water damage. But don’t leave it in the rain or snow - it’s not durable. With such features, BLUETTI 200w solar panel is a great find for your RV trip!
Goal Zero Boulder 200w Folding Solar Panel:
Let’s talk about the grizzly bear of the 200w folding solar panel. Goal Zero Boulder 200 is an excellent option whether camping, on an RV road trip or just needing home backup power. It’s durable, reliable, and portable - it comes with its suitcase, meaning you can pack it up and cart it to your next location easily.
Goal Zero Boulder 200w folding solar panel has many interesting and defining features like sturdy glass and aluminum frames with added corner protection, and after setting it up, you can forget about it until you need to pack up and leave. It only generates power when exposed to the Sun, so it pairs well with the Goat Zero Yeti. It’s a power station that will store the energy when the Sun goes down.
Goal Zero Boulder is a great choice but heavy at 42 pounds, so you’ll need to be ready for some heavy lifting.
Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel
Like a superhero in a blockbuster movie, Jackry SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel is a portable, built-to-last solar panel with an IP67 waterproof rating. With this hero solar panel, you can harness the Sun’s energy and charge up all your portable power stations and generators.
It has a high energy efficiency of 23.4%, and its tilted shape helps it absorb sunlight optimally. Plus, the ETFE-laminated case offers protection against the elements—a great choice for a 200w solar panel for your RV.
Grape Solar 200W Monocrystalline Solar Panel 12V
While a great and affordable choice for 200w solar panels for your RV, Grape Solar 200w solar panel 12v is often understated. It comes with a 5-year workmanship warranty and a 25-year power output warranty - meaning it basically covers your panel if the output were to fall below 80% in 25 years.
Features like low iron-tempered glass with high resistance and a frame design with powerful mechanical strength can last well in snow or rain. It’s a great 200w solar panel to opt for when going hiking or on a road trip in the mountains, etc.
Buying Guide for 200 Watts Solar Panel
Price:
Price is important when deciding on a 200w solar panel for your RV. We’ve found that non-foldable solar panels like Renogy cost around $230, while foldable solar panels like BLUETTI cost around $400+. You need to balance the price with other factors for your 200w solar panels.
Efficiency:
It’s how well a solar panel converts the sunlight it absorbs into energy. 200w solar panels with an energy efficiency above 20% are considered great, and all the products on this list have an energy efficiency of around 23.4%.
Durability:
If you’re going to a place with extreme weather like snow or rain, you must get a durable 200w solar panel like Goal Zero or Renogy. In general, BLUETTI 200w solar panel will be the best choice, which is made of advanced laminated technology and long-lasting ETFE material that can meet all needs.
Type of Solar Panel:
The type of a 200-watt solar panel impacts its appearance, efficiency, and usability. Monocrystalline solar panels are expensive but also more energy efficient, while polycrystalline are less efficient but more affordable. You have to choose what type you want.
Quality and Warranty:
You should always check the solar panel's quality and brand before buying it. Moreover, also make sure that the product offers a warranty of like 10+ years. In solar panels, good vendors provide a workmanship warranty of around 5 years and a 10+ power output warranty.
Weight and Size:
For RVs, portable and lightweight 200w solar panels are better, like BLUETTI; the size matters, and you should choose the one based on its size and efficiency.
Solar Kit:
Instead of a lone 200-watt solar panel, a solar kit is more helpful because it contains other products like a portable charge controller, wiring, and mounting equipment. With a solar kit, you can more efficiently connect all the components, increasing your solar system's lifespan.
Top 5 Solar Panel Comparison
|
Brand Name |
Price (CAD) |
Efficiency |
Solar Panel Type |
Warranty |
Weight |
|
Renogy 200w Solar Panel |
$284.99 |
19.2% |
Monocrystalline |
5-year product, and material warranty |
26.46 lbs |
|
BLUETTI 200W solar panel |
$599.00 |
23.4% |
Monocrystalline |
12-month product warranty |
16.1 lbs |
|
Goal Zero Boulder 200w Folding Solar Panel |
$727.193 |
N/A |
Monocrystalline |
2-year product warranty |
42 lbs |
|
Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel |
$924.281 |
23.4% |
Monocrystalline Silicon |
5-year warranty |
17.5 lbs |
|
Grape Solar 200W Monocrystalline Solar Panel 12V |
$236.69 |
N/A |
Monocrystalline |
5-year product, 25-year power output |
26.5 lbs |
What Will a 200 Watt Solar Panel Run?
After you connect a 200-watt solar panel to a power station or a generator, you can use it for anything. You can use a 200w solar panel for small devices and gadgets like a television, phone charger, water pumps, security systems, and lights. More devices include refrigerators, speakers, e-bikes, power tools, electric fences, etc.
You need a way to store the electrical energy to use it; like with the BLUETTI 200W portable solar panel, the BLUETTI AC300 and B300 Combo is a great option to store energy.
How much power will a 200-watt solar panel produce?
The amount of power that a 200-watt panel produces depends on a few factors:
- Time of the day
- Sunlight hours
- Amount of shade during the day like clouds
- The angle of the solar panels
Based on these factors, a 200w solar panel will produce 0W-50W from 6 AM to 9 AM, 50W-170W until 11 AM, and 170W-200W (the highest) at around 1 PM. From 1 PM to 2 PM, it starts to reduce from 200W to 100W and keeps decreasing slowly as nighttime approaches.
Related articles: Portable vs. Roof Mounted Solar Panels for RVs
BLUETTI PV200 200W Solar Panel: A Comprehensive Review
How to choose the best 200w solar panel for your RV?
200-watt solar panels are a great compromise between the weight and efficiency of solar panels. They are portable, and some brands offer foldable 200w solar panels; plus, they are durable and made with highly resistant glass and frames that can withstand the elements.
You should consider several factors, like price, type of solar panel, efficiency, etc., to determine which one works for your RV. If you want an all-rounder with a great solar kit, you can opt for the Renogy 200w Solar Panel.
Are you looking for a solar panel with good durability and a long warranty? Try the Goal Zero Boulder 200w Folding Solar Panel. But if you want something on the lighter side, BLUETTI 200w solar panel is the one for you. Jackery and Grape solar panels are both excellent energy efficiency and affordable options. Of course, there are still other options, like Redarc 200w solar panel, Enerdrive 200w solar panel, and Kickass 200w solar panel. Still that words, Just choose the solar panel that meets your requirements.
Final Thoughts
There is no instance fix when it comes to choosing a 200w solar panel for your RV. You have to consider factors like your budget, the energy efficiency of the panel, weight - you’re going to be carrying it with you -and power needs, etc.
All these solar panels offer something for everyone, and you can use our buying guide as a guide to understand what you want and which solar panel suits you.
FAQ:
How many amps should a 200-watt solar panel put out?
A 200-watt solar panel usually uses around 10 to 12 or 11.1 amps of power per hour on average. Let’s assume that the average sunlight hours are 6, for in 24 hours, amps per hour would be 60 to 70. Similarly, on cloudy days or in winter, the sunlight hours will be 3, so the amps become 30 to 40 over 24 hours.
Can a 200-watt solar panel run a refrigerator?
Yes, a 200-watt solar panel can run a small refrigerator of 80 watts, and you can run it through the night by storing the electrical energy using a power station, etc. It can also work with a 170-watt DC refrigerator. With a battery like BLUETTI Home Battery, you can, on average, run an 80-watt refrigerator for around 8.5 hours and a DC 170-watt fridge for 4 hours during the day.
Is 200W solar enough for camping?
A 200w solar panel can help you power all the small devices you might have camping. They are also powerful enough for off-grid adventure and will save you a lot of cost and time. With a 200-watt panel, you can enjoy a wilderness adventure without being cut off from power - a necessity in life nowadays. However, you have to be ready for some heavy lifting since solar panels are heavy and require manhandling.
Will a 200-watt solar panel charge a 200Ah battery?
In full sun conditions, with no clouds, shade, or rain, a 200-watt solar panel can charge a 200Ah battery in around 12 hours. However, it’s not advisable to use a 200Ah battery with a 200w panel. Instead, you should consider what type of battery will suit your camping or RV trip better.
How good is a 200W solar panel?
A 200w solar panel is a great choice when living in an RV or going camping. While they aren’t suitable to run an entire household, they are considered ideal for small spaces like RVs. They offer a durable and versatile off-grid energy solution, and top-class ones like BLUETTI solar panels make your camping or RV living more comfortable.
