Getting started on Solar can get complicated quickly. Components need to be compatible and there are hundreds of different options, each with different specifications, so making sure they’re all rated correctly, and that the final output will meet your needs, can become a time-consuming exercise. Solar Panel Kits make it quick and easy!
For small, simple applications a pre-bundled Solar Kit takes makes the most sense – buying bundles is often cheaper, all the components are compatible and they’re easy to set up and install.
A Solar Kit, or Solar Starter Kit, is a complete, pre-bundled, package of solar components, including the Solar Panels (or Photovoltaic Array), a Solar Charge Controller, Inverter and Batteries. They also come with all the necessary leads, connectors and mounting brackets.
Not all Solar Kits provide the inverter and batteries, which may need to be purchased separately, but they still provide all the basics needed to get you up and charging with ease.
To make it even simpler, we have researched and reviewed 5 best Solar Panel Kits for you to choose from:
Our 5 Best Solar Panel Kits
| No. | Name | Maximum
Wattage |
Battery Voltage | Output Amperage | Inverter Wattage |
| 1 | ACOPOWER 12V/105W Solar Panel Kit | 105 W | 12 V | 10 A | – |
| 2 | WindyNation 12V/400W Solar Panel Kit | 400 W | 12V | 30 A | 1500 W |
| 3 | HQST 12V/200W Solar Panel Kit | 200 W | 12V | 20 A | – |
| 4 | Pikasola 12-24V/200W Solar Panel Kit | 200 W | 12 – 24 V | 20 A | – |
| 5 | WindyNation 12V/400W Complete Solar Panel Kit (Incl. Batteries) | 400 W | 12V | 30 A | 1500 W |
Benefits of Installing a Solar Panel Kit
Renewable energy sources have come a long way in recent years and the technology and efficacy of these systems are better than ever. A good solar power system can meet all your power needs for free, other than the initial setup investment, and with minimal environmental impact.
With good hardware, the supply of power is consistent and can be used to supplement your conventional power supply (saving the environment and saving you money) or meet your needs in full (saving the environment and your money even more).
Solar power is also a great option for mobile applications, like boats and RVs, or remote locations like cabins and barns/sheds/greenhouses that are situated some distance from a conventional electrical supply.
These systems can vary widely in shape and size, depending on your load requirements. Load refers to the total amount of power you will need to run/charge the batteries, appliances and devices you intend to power with your solar panel kit.
Calculating your load accurately is key to ensuring that your solar kit will meet your needs. Once you know your load requirements, you can work backward to find out the amp rating you need, the input voltage you need and the total wattage you need.
Check out this great video by Will Prowse on YouTube for how to easily calculate your watts, volts and amps to size your solar array:
[youtube video=”TJBGbufexEM”]
The main benefit of buying a Solar Panel Kit is that everything comes pre-bundled, which costs less and saves time and energy when it comes to selecting components that are fully compatible with one another.
Things to Consider When Buying a Solar Panel Kit
There are several factors to consider when selecting the best solar panel kit for your particular requirements:
- Load or Device Size – work out the amperage and wattage you will need to fulfill your load requirements
- Weather Conditions – consider the weather and climate where you are and choose one that is best suited to cope with those conditions.
- Voltage – calculate the maximum output voltage of your solar panels and make sure that it is suitable for your batteries, solar charge controller and inverter.
- Where will it be – consider the ‘voltage drop’ you will experience depending on the distance between your panels and the solar charge controller/battery bank.
- Safety and Monitoring Features – lookout for added safety featured and the (remote or local) monitoring information the kit can provide you. This is closely linked to the type of solar charge controller provided and is a very useful feature.
Selection Criteria
We have selected 5 of the best solar panel kits on the market for you to compare and choose from, based on your specific needs and conditions. Our selection criteria are based on:
- Wattage
- Battery Voltage
- Maximum Output Amperage
- What the Kit Includes
- Key Features
The 5 Best Solar Panel Kits:
1. ACOPOWER 12V/ 105W Solar Panel Kit
Wattage: 105 W
Battery Voltage: 12 V
Maximum Output Amperage: 10 A
Kit Includes:
- 105-Watt Monocrystalline Sunpower Photovoltaic Panels (foldable)
- 30 Amp Solar Charge Controller
- Cables and Clamps
- USB 5V ports for direct charging
Key Features:
- Lightweight and completely portable kit. Panels fold up and the whole kit comes in a carry case.
- Carry case comes with a stand to prop panels up.
- Compatible with 12 Volts lead-acid batteries including Sealed, Flooded, GEL and AGM (commonly used on boats, cars, RVs and campers)
- USB 5V output for charging phones and small devices directly.
- The charge controller is removable so you can use the kit to charge anything with an in-built controller and it has the correct connectors to connect to such devices.
- Durable and weather/water-resistant.
Price in on Amazon: ACOPOWER 12V/ 105W Solar Panel Kit
What the Amazon Reviews Say (4.5/5):
Pros:
- Highly efficient charging
- Well-made and durable
- Foldable/adjustable panels can be adjusted to make the most of the available light
Cons:
- Cables are long (some voltage drop experienced)
- Cables crimped not soldered at the ends so need to be handled gently
- Performance drops considerably in partial shade
2. WindyNation Complete 400-Watt Solar Panel Kit
Wattage: 400 W
Battery Voltage: 12 V
Maximum Output Amperage: 30 A
Kit Includes:
- Four 100-Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panels,
- P30L 30 Amp Solar Charge Controller (LCD Display)
- UL Listed 12 AWG Solar Cable (40ft)
- All necessary connectors and mounting hardware
- 1500-Watt VertaMax DC to AC Power Inverter (3000-Watt surge)
- 2 AWG Battery Cables for connecting the inverter to a 12V battery (2 cables)
- Four BattaMax 100Ah AGM (Maintenance Free) Deep Cycle Batteries (incl. interconnect cables)
Key Features:
- Complete kit with panels, cables, controller, batteries and inverter – no additional purchases needed.
- Powerful enough for appliances and small load homes.
- Durable and well-made components.
Price it on Amazon: WindyNation Complete 400 Watt Solar Panel Kit
What the Amazon Reviews Say (4.2/5):
Pros:
- Very efficient charging, even on cloudy days
- Good quality product, all components well-made
- Easy to set up and install
Cons:
- Modified sine wave inverter wasn’t compatible with some devices
- Inverter not as high quality as the rest of the components
- Slow customer service
3. WindyNation 12V/400W Solar Panel Kit
Wattage: 400 W
Battery Voltage: 12 V
Maximum Output Amperage: 30 A
Kit Includes:
- Four 100-Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panels,
- P30L 30 Amp Solar Charge Controller (LCD Display)
- UL Listed 12 AWG Solar Cable (40ft)
- All necessary connectors and mounting hardware
- 1500-Watt VertaMax DC to AC Power Inverter (3000-Watt surge)
- 2 AWG Battery Cables for connecting the inverter to a 12V battery (2 cables)
Key Features:
- Complete kit with panels, cables, controller, inverter – only batteries need to be purchased separately.
- Powerful enough for appliances and small load homes.
- Durable and well-made components.
Price it on Amazon: WindyNation 400 Watt (4pcs 100W) Solar Panel Kit
What the Amazon Reviews Say (4.2/5):
Pros:
- Very efficient charging, even on cloudy days
- Good quality product, all components well-made
- Easy to set up and install
Cons:
- Modified sine wave inverter wasn’t compatible with some devices
- Inverter not as high quality as the rest of the components
- Customer service wasn’t great
4. HQST 12V/200W Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit
Wattage: 200 W
Battery Voltage: 12 V
Maximum Output Amperage: 20 A
Kit Includes:
- Two 100-Watt 12 Monocrystalline Solar Panels
- A 20 Amp 12V/24V PWM Solar Charge Controller (LCD Display)
- Two USB ports for direct phone / small device charging
- 20Ft 10AWG Solar Panel and Controller Connector Adaptor Wire Extension Cables
- 2 Sets of Mounting Z Brackets
- Y Branch Connector
Key Features:
- Ideal for off-grid applications, such as RVs, trailers, boats, sheds, and cabins.
- Bypass diodes minimize power drop caused by shade and ensure excellent performance in low-light environments.
- Pre-drilled holes on the back of the panel allow for fast mounting and securing.
- IP65 rated junction box provides complete protection against environmental particles and low-pressure water jets.
- HQST 20A charge controller offers overcharge, over-discharge, overload protection, as well as short-circuit protection.
Price it on Amazon: HQST 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit
What the Amazon Reviews Say (4.5/5):
Pros:
- Works well and efficient charging
- Panels are large
- Relatively good quality components
Cons:
- Supplied cables are too short – extensions required
- Cable from the controller to battery needs to be bought separately
- The controller is not of great quality
5. Pikasola 200 Watt 12/24V Solar Panel Kit
Wattage: 200 W
Battery Voltage: 12 – 24 V
Maximum Output Amperage: 20 A
Kit Includes:
- Two 100-Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panels
- 20A 12/24V PWM Solar Charge Controller (LCD Display)
- 2 USB ports for direct charging of phones and other small devices
- A pair of 16ft MC4 Solar Cables
- Premium Mounting Z Brackets
- 2-in-1 Parallel Connectors
Key Features:
- Monocrystalline solar cells (more efficient)
- Durable – Aluminium Frame and Toughened Glass, encapsulated in a waterproof resin. IP65 waterproof junction box at back protects against humidity
- Solar charge controller comes with several electrical protection features
- The kit allows for expansion up to a maximum 240W (12V) or 480W (24V).
- Easy Installation: Pre-drilled holes on the back allow for fast mounting and securing.
- Suitable for mobile and fixed use installations
Price it on Amazon: Pikasola 200 Watt 12/24V Solar Panel Kit
What the Amazon Reviews Say (3.9/5):
Pros:
- Works well and charges efficiently
- Easy to set up and install
- Instructions were clear and comprehensive
Cons:
- Cables may to too short
Conclusion and Our Two Top Picks
As you can see, there are loads of different options to choose from when you’re looking for a complete solar kit to get you going. Kits range from small, portable systems to take with you on a hike or holiday to full-blown systems to power your home or cabin.
Of the 5 best solar panel kits listed here, these are two that stood out to us offering the best value for money and the most in terms of quality and power output:
Top Pick 1 – WindyNation Complete 400-Watt Solar Panel Kit
The WindyNation Complete Solar Panel Kit is the only one on this list that includes an Inverter and the batteries, making it a truly complete kit. There is no need to buy any extra components and as soon as you receive your package, you can install it and be all set up in one go.
WindyNation is a well-known respected brand. The different components are well-made and high quality, which makes the purchase an investment and a long-term solution.
The 30 Amp Charge Controller and the 1500W Inverter allow you to add more panels and increase your power output in the future if needed.
All in all, we love this kit and it is a great option for anyone who wants to invest in a good quality setup, get started immediately and still have the option to grow in the future!
Top Pick 2 – HQST 12V/200W Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit
The HQST 12V/200W Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit is a great option for smaller applications and it uses Monocrystalline panels, which are more efficient than their Polycrystalline counterparts. The kit comes with panels, a solar charge controller and all the cables and fittings needed to get your Solar Panel system setup.
The downside is that you need to purchase an inverter and batteries separately but the components provided are good quality and well-made. The solar charge controller also provides additional protective features like overcharge, over-discharge, overload protection, as well as short-circuit protection.
We love this kit for its value-for-money and durability, as well as the extra features. HQST is also a well-known and reliable brand, which makes buying compatible components easier. All in all, this is a great option!
Useful Resources
DSIRE – Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
Sengen Solar: Photovoltaic Battery Guide
Solar Electric: Off Grid Solar Load Calculator
Unbound Solar – How to Size a Solar System
Unbound Solar – Voltage Drop Calculator For Solar Electric Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Solar Panel Kit?
A Solar Panel Kit is a pre-bundled kit containing all the components and hardware needed to set up a solar power system. Kits include solar panels, solar charge controller, leads, cables and connectors. Some kits also include an inverter and the batteries needed. Find all the info you need in this article.
Are Solar Panel Kits portable?
Some solar panel kits are completely portable and can be carried with you in a carry case. Others are larger but still portable, if you have the space or if they are mounted on a vehicle, like a boat or RV. Read the full article to find detailed reviews of the best portable solar panel kits.
Why buy a Solar Panel Kit?
Solar panel kits are a convenient way to get a full solar panel setup, without having to do the leg work to make sure all the components are compatible and correctly rated for one another. They are also often cheaper than buying components individually. Check out this article for a full review of the best solar panel kits available.
