Performance Insights and Customer Feedback
When it comes to solar panels, the most challenging decision is not whether to have them but which type to have and who is the best manufacturer. The solar panel market has grown hugely in recent years, with each company offering different options, whether you’re looking for a portable solar panel, a rigid panel, or want to add more power to your existing solar system.
Renogy solar panels, a manufacturer founded in 2010, aims to “change the way the world uses energy.” Renogy products are also about accessibility—they have to be affordable.
Renogy products started as an off-grid solution for outdoor living, camping, and marine settings. This explains why they offer products like flexible panels that can be mounted on curved surfaces and a portable solar panel for outdoor environments. Don’t worry; they offer rigid panels, too! Renogy offers efficient and reliable power sources for those living or staying off-grid. However, their adaptability makes them suitable for compact homes and flats.
In this review, we’ll examine some of the best-selling and most popular Renogy products in depth to determine whether they are the best solar panels for your needs. We evaluate all aspects of their solar panels, including reliability, price, value for money, safety, and customer reviews. We also analyse the company and then finish by answering some of your most frequently asked questions.
Who Are Renogy?
Renogy is an American company founded in 2010 and is unique in an industry dominated by men in that it was created by a woman, Yi Li, who is still its CEO. It is headquartered in Ontario, CA, and has several warehouses across the US.
Yi Li was a young woman with a vision. In her mid-twenties, she was in her final year of a doctorate program at Louisiana State University. She was entranced by the concept of decentralised energy systems, replacing long-distance high-voltage networks with local renewable energy sources. She believed clean, local, and cost-effective energy should be available to everyone, regardless of location or means. And so, Renogy was born.
Renogy is a blend of three keywords: renewable, innovation, and energy. From the start, Ms Li wanted to focus on research and development, as she believes this is the key to product quality and design. Renogy has over one hundred R&D engineers and state-of-the-art facilities.
Renogy currently sells in over eight countries, including Japan, Australia, the U.K., Germany, and the U.S., and has reached over 1 million consumers.
Renogy Product Lineup
Renogy offers a range of rigid and flexible solar panels that can work in various settings to meet diverse customer needs. Whether you’re looking for something you can stash in the back of your campervan to keep you powered on the go with DC appliances and LED lighting, need more power from your existing solar setup, or want portable solar panels to supplement your electric needs at home, Renogy has products that fit your needs.
Key Features of Renogy’s Solar Panels
The Renogy Flexible Solar Panel comes in two main models: the 100-watt and the 160-watt. Both are lightweight because of ultra-thin lamination, highly flexible, suitable for various surfaces, durable, and have high-efficiency. These good-quality panels are made of advanced polymer materials, making them lighter than traditional rigid panels.
Renogy solar panels use high-quality monocrystalline cells for maximum power output. They are also fully waterproof and durable, suitable for outdoor use, and have adjustable kickstands for optimal angle positioning.
Renogy sells monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels so you can get efficient energy regardless of your situation. Their panels are sold according to the average wattage they produce, so you’ll need to work out the number of panels needed to supply you with the power you need.
Renogy solar panels are highly efficient, producing up to 53.5 watt-hours of energy in a single hour in direct sunlight. They also work well on cloudy days, generating up to 20.8 watt-hours of charge in one hour. The panels are designed to provide more power and are suitable for use with power stations.
Renogy panels are made to be user-friendly and optimise convenience. You don’t need to wait for a contractor to come out and complete an installation; just read the instructions in the packaging, and you can set everything up yourself.
Top Three Renogy Solar Panels
100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel (Compact Design)
Compact yet powerful, the Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel is the ideal choice for an off-grid setting like a cabin or caravan, for a compact residence with limited space, or as backup power.
The panel has a lightweight aluminium frame and shatter-resistant glass so you can carry it around without worrying. Made with premium Grade A+ monocrystalline solar cells, it offers higher efficiency than traditional polycrystalline panels, maximising power generation.
The panel comes ready to install with pre-drilled mounting holes, solar connector leads, and a junction box. It’s easy to install whether you’re connecting it to a controller or expanding your setup with additional panels.
TECH SPEC
- Max Power at STC: 100W
- Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 24.3V
- Short Circuit Current (ISC): 5.21A
- Optimum Operating Voltage (Vmp): 20.4V
- Optimum Operating Current (Imp): 4.91A
- Maximum System Voltage: 600VDC
- Maximum Series Fuse Rating: 15A
- Cell Efficiency: 22.00%
- Operating Temperature: -40°F to 176°F / -40℃ to 80℃
- Dimensions: 106.2 x 53.0 x3.5 cm(41.8 x 20.9 x1.4 in)
- Weight: 6.4 kg/14.1 lbs
- Output Cables: 14 AWG (1.96 ft long)
- Cell Type: Monocrystalline (6.5 in x 3.3 in)
- Number of Cells: 36 (3 x 12)
- Junction Box: IP65
- Solar Connectors: IP67
- Certifications: CE, ISO
200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Renogy 200W flexible panel is bendable up to 240° and weighs 50% lighter than rigid panels, making it easy to carry and install. It is perfect for less conventional locations or where a rigid panel would need more space. It has an extra composite material layer for increased durability and flexibility.
With an average daily electricity output of 1000Wh (based on 5 hours of direct sunlight), the Renogy 200W Flexible Mono Solar Panel guarantees reliable and sustainable power for off-grid living. It maintains over 80% output efficiency even after more than two decades of use.
Reducing internal resistance achieves higher wattage output and better resistance to the hotspot effect. This panel maintains consistent solar conversion even during accidental shading and on cloudy days. It is also built to endure harsh weather and is fully waterproof.
TECH SPEC
- Output Cables: 12 AWG (2.3 ft)
- Cell Type: Monocrystalline（6.5×3.3）
- Number of Cells: 72（18×4）
- Junction Box: IP68
- Solar Connectors: IP67
- Maximum Power at STC: 200W
- Module Efficiency: 16.7%
- Optimum Operating Voltage (Vmp): 20.1V
- Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc): 23.9V
- Optimum Operating Current (Imp): 10.02A
- Short Circuit Current: 10.74A
- Operating Temperature: -40°F to 176°F (-40ºC to +80ºC)
- Maximum Series Fuse Rating: 15A
- Maximum System Voltage: 600V DC
- Certifications: CE， ISO9001
- Weight: 4.9 kg / 10.8 lbs
- Dimensions: 160.5 x 74.8 x 0.3 cm /(63.2 x 29.4 x 0.1 in)
- Material and workmanship warranty: 5 years
- Performance Warranty: 5-year 95% output warranty, 10 years 90% output warranty, 25 years 80% output warranty
- parameterEnd: TRUE
- Voltage: 12V
- Watt: 200W
Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel
The Renogy E.Flex Series is a versatile charging solution for portable power stations or off-grid DC batteries. The 100W EFlex solar panel can provide up to 500Wh per day at average sun intensity levels and is ideal for day trips fishing or camping.
This high-efficiency panel has three adjustable kickstands with a 23.5% high power conversion. It is built to last with a protective ETFT coating and four attachment holes, which allow you to mount the panel on a car or solid object.
The Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel has multiple output ports and is lightweight and easy to move around. It is not just suitable for use in the field but also ideal for home use in the garden or as a top-up to an existing system.
TECH SPEC
- Max Power at STC: 100 W
- Open Circuit Voltage: 23.40V
- Short Circuit Current: 5.26A
- Optimum Operating Voltage: 20.16V
- Optimum Operating Current: 4.96A
- Cell Efficiency: >22.6%
- Operating Temperature: ’14°F to 149°F(-10℃ to +65℃)
- Dimensions: 24.3 x 21.1 x 1.8 in / 616 x 536 x 45 mm(fold), 48.5 x 21.1 x 0.1 in / 1233 x 536 x 3 mm(unfold)
- Weight: 9.5 lbs. / 4.3 kg
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Renogy Have Any Negative Reviews?
From the reviews on Trustpilot, it seems that not every Renogy customer is completely satisfied, and the problem seems to be with customer service and support rather than the units themselves. Some people have left bad reviews, although there are plenty of customers who are happy with their purchase and say that customer support is helpful. There are mixed reviews from people who have needed to make a warranty claim.
What Does A Charge Controller Do?
A charge controller is essential in any solar panel system. It controls the power between the solar panels and the battery and ensures that excess power doesn’t damage the battery.
What Can This Panel Charge?
This solar panel can charge most batteries (charge controller needed) and power stations. However, it’s essential to ensure that the open circuit voltage of the panel does not exceed the max DC input voltage rating of the charge controller or power station
Final Thoughts
Renogy is an excellent starting point for anyone getting into the wide world of solar power. Their aim is to arm everyone, no matter their level of expertise, with the tools they need to access the renewable and endless energy of the sun. Yes, there are panels out there at a lower price, but Renogy solar panels provide excellent value for money and longevity.
Renogy provides various panel solutions that work in the field or at home. Their compact size and portability make them a choice for numerous scenarios, including homes where space is at a premium.
Leading national solar panel installer Effective Home can help you decide whether Renogy Solar Panels fit your requirements and budget.
