If you are new to solar, getting your first solar panel -100W can be exciting!
However, it is not always clear what one can do and expect with their 100W solar panel – from what appliances they can run, how many batteries and what a typical setup, batteries, charge controller, and inverter your need to get the most from your solar panel!
So, In this post, I cover:
- what you can expect from a 100-w solar panel including power produced,
- energy (kWh) you can get, and
examples of appliances that can be powered with the solar panel, and inverter sizing.
How Much Power Does a 100w Solar Panel Produce?
A 100w solar panel’s maximum power output is 100 watts.
On average though, the solar panel may only produce up to 60-80% of its maximum power, i.e. 60-80 watts.
This is because the indicated power output of 100 watts is attained under ideal conditions of lighting, temperature, and others that the panel is not exposed to in its installation environment.
In fact, the actual power output from the solar panel depends on:
- how much sunlight the panel is exposed to.
Panels yield more power when there is more sunlight shining on them.
Solar panel output reduces during periods of cloud cover and when obstacles cast shadows onto the solar panels
- panel temperature, solar panels yield more power during cooler weather than hot weather
Therefore your solar panels will yield the most power when they are directly facing the sun with no shadows or obstacles blocking the sun from reaching a part of the panel and during cool, clear skies.
You may also be interested in How much power a 200w solar panel produces?
How Much Power a100w Solar Panel Produces During the Day?
The amount of power that a solar panel produces at any one time (watts) during the day usually can vary from 0 – an estimated 100w depending on the factors above.
The energy that you can expect from your solar panel (kWh) during the day is between 300 – 500 Wh, based on the average peak sunshine hours in the United States of between 3-5 peak sunshine hours.
What Can a 100w Solar Panel Run?
A 100w solar panel provides a limited amount of energy during the day and is usually connected to a charge controller and used to charge a 12V battery.
The energy stored in the battery from the solar panel can be used to power both DC and AC appliances (inverter is needed) depending on their power consumption in a shed, garage, boat, RV, house.
Examples of applications using energy from a 100W solar panel
- charge 12V battery
- power study lamp and DC lamps
- 30-30W TV
- radio
- security light
- amateur radio
- pumps
- charge phones, tablets
- portable solar generator (check the maximum solar panel capacity that you can safely connect to the solar generator)
Can a 100watt Solar Panel Power a Refrigerator?
Yes, you can run a portable refrigerator, about 34 – 40 quarts (32-37 liters) with energy from a 100w solar panel consistently.
Larger capacity fridges need more power – solar panels and battery capacity.
You can power your refrigerator using power from a portable solar generator charged by a 100 w solar panel or use a 100W, charge controller, battery setup to power the fridge.
How Long It Takes a 100w Solar Panel to Charge a Battery
This really depends on sunshine hours available at the location, orientation of the solar panel, and depth of discharge of the battery among others.
A 100W solar panel can charge a 100Ah battery that has been discharged to 50% of its capacity in about 6-8 hours.
If the battery has been discharged less, then it can charge it fully in a shorter time.
With a 200Ah battery discharged to 50% of capacity, you can expect it to fully charge in about 14-16 hours.
You can reduce the time it takes to fully charge the battery by increasing the solar panel capacity.
How Many Batteries a 100w Solar Panel can Charge
You can use your 100w solar panel to fully charge 1 x 70Ah, 2 x 35Ah batteries in about a day.
Connecting larger capacity batteries that are cycled on daily basis risks not being able to fully charge them with a day’s energy from the solar panels.
You may be able to keep a 100Ah battery fully charged if you only use it occasionally.
Note: This assumes that the batteries are only discharged to 50% of their capacity.
What Size of Charge Controller to Use with a 100 W Solar Panel?
You can use a 20A PWM or MPPT charge controller or larger with a 100W solar panel.
With a 20A charge controller, you have the capacity to add a second 100W charge controller.
What Size of Inverter to Use with a 100w Solar System?
Much as you can connect an inverter as large as 1000W if you plan to expand the solar system, you probably shouldn’t draw more than 200W at a time with a100W solar panel, 100Ah battery combination.
Connecting large loads draws higher current draws from the battery that can shorten their lifespan.
In sizing your inverter, you consider:
- the combined power consumption of the AC appliances that you plan to power off your solar panel and battery system.
- the recommended current draw from your battery system.
Final Thoughts
Power production from a 100-watt solar panel can be as much as 60-80W depending on how hot it is, cloud cover, and if there are any shadows on the panels.
Using the energy from the solar panel and stored in a battery, you can run a number of appliances – charge battery, lamps, TV, and radio for a limited time. You can only use it to power portable refrigerators consistently.
With the 100W solar panel, you will typically be able to charge 1 x 70Ah, 2 x 35Ah batteries consistently if discharged up to 50% of their capacity in about a day, and a 100Ah battery fully charged if you only use it occasionally.
Larger battery capacities need more time to fully charge.
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