Renogy 30-Watt 12-Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel Review
Page Contents
- High efficiency monocrystalline cells
- Anti-reflective glass
- Bypass diode
- Pre-drilled mounting holes
Max. Power: 30W
Max. power voltage: 19.5V
Max. power current: 1.60A
Dimensions: 22.4×13.4×1 in (570x340x25mm)
Weight: 6.2 lbs. (2.8 kg)
Our Verdict
Among the entry level panels of Renogy is their 30W offering. At approximately 2 feet long, a foot wide, and 6 lbs. in weight, it is easily portable. The creators claim an ideal output of 120Wh per day, which should power a decent portion of your small battery.
This monocrystalline panel is not much different from most panels on the market. But even if the features are basic, there is attention to quality. The build quality and the performance are certainly outstanding. If you are looking to compare various options before making the purchase, we have put this list together to help you choose your ideal panel. Let us go further in this Renogy 30-watt 12-volt monocrystalline panel review and discuss the minutes.
Compatibility
This 30W module comes with an open circuit voltage of 23V and a maximum power voltage of 19.5V. This makes it an ideal choice to connect to devices with a 12V rating. The 30W power output means that most small to medium sized lamps, 100-150Ah batteries, and other smaller devices (such as 10-30W fans) can be connected without a worry. For greater power, this module can be chained with more modules. The MC4 connectors make connecting and disconnecting easy while also reducing chances of wrong connections.
Durability
Smaller capacity panels tend to be more durable than the larger ones, which suffer self-weight stresses on their large glass surfaces. At less than two feet long and a foot wide, this panel does not have that problem. The non-corrosive aluminum frame feels robust and should be successful in sustaining a small range of shocks. The glass is toughened, making it less susceptible to breakage and better at handling wind and snow loads.
Ease Of Use
Thankfully, solar panels are usually devoid of arrays of controls and pins or data indicators. The only thing a user should be aware of is what to do with the two wires coming out of the junction box. Same is true for this product. It is as simple as it can be, with two cables having a male and a female MC4 connector at the end. These MC4 connectors can be directly plugged into a charge controller for battery charging or to another panel’s connectors for chaining.
Features
In the features department, you won’t see anything that goes further from the typical list of features that solar panels have. EL tested cells without hotspots is almost standard nowadays and a necessary feature. So is the case with the MC4 connectors or tempered glass. The choice of mono-Si cells over poly makes the panel smaller and lighter. At the current price, you should expect to get more with your solar panel, such as integrated mounting stands or strengthened frames.
Design
The only noteworthy design aspect that makes Renogy’s solar panel stand out from regular panels is its black frame and back-sheet. Going nicely with the black mono cells, it makes the panel look modern. Other things about design are pretty standard, such as the junction box and wire placement.
What We Like
Overall, we like Renogy’s 30W, 12V solar panel for getting all the small essentials correct. There is no feature that’s really missing. A mounting stand or a carry-case could have been praiseworthy. Solar cell costs and panel manufacturing costs have plunged in the recent years and we honestly think this panel should have costed significantly less. Nevertheless, it is a well-built, decent looking, and totally portable module and a great product to have.
Pros:
- Compact and light
- EL tested cells without hotspots
Cons:
- High cost
- No mounting equipment
