How Much Energy Does a 100 Watt Solar Panel Produce?

I tested a 100 watt solar panel over the course of a week (well...10 days, actually) to find out how much energy 100W solar panels can produce.

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MY SETUP

I used a 100W 12V Renogy Monocrystalline Solar Panel and a Victron MPPT Charge Controller. I monitored the battery’s state of charge with a Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor to ensure the battery never reached full charge. When it got close to full, I’d turn on some loads to discharge it. I’m happy to say the charge controller was in the Bulk charge stage for 100% of the test! I ‘mounted’ the solar panel at the optimal tilt and azimuth angles for my location (Georgia) and time of year (April). Temperatures ranged from the 40s to the 80s. I cleaned the panel twice during the test, and trimmed the grass in front of the panel to prevent shading.

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LINKS

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DISCLAIMERS

Some of the links in this video description and in the comments below are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one, at no extra cost to you I may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

For general informational purposes only. Nothing in this video is intended to be professional solar or electrical advice. Please consult with a licensed professional in their field of expertise in your jurisdiction.

[bobhilder]

I'm in southern Arizona and have 12 255 watt (at STC) SolarWorld single crystal silicon solar panels all in series pointed due south at a 18.5 degree tilt from horizontal. It pretty much has full exposure to the sun from sunrise to sunset year round. The string of 12 is connected to a SMA Americas Sunny Boy 4000s MPPT/Inverter (grid tie). The system was put into use in early October of 2012 and has, on average, delivered over 16 kw-hours of energy per day.

[cherylmurray]

Great putting it in understandable language. And thanks for not asking for like before the information was given.

[Ed-ymtu]

This was great. I just got my setup going and playing around trying to figure this exact information out. Dec 14th in Virginia is a really bad time to test solar. I was disappointed I was only getting about 14 watts and wasnt sure I had this right. Based on this video, looks like I'm on track. Thanks!

[ianferguson]

Our 180w panel on our camper van roof produced way more power than needed most days. We wanted our freezer compartment to be frozen, all our devices charged and our electric bike batteries topped up when needed. Over 30 days we only had one cloudy day when I felt the need to use a pre-charged battery pack. The van has 2 leisure batteries.

[marclagalle]

Many many moons ago (20 or so years ago) when I worked at a solar shop in Sydney Australia, we mounted 3 x different panels to the top of a mobile frame. One was a monocrystaline panel 80w (BP solar?), the closest we sold in a polycrystaline was a Sanyo? or was it Sharp 75w panel, and a 64w Unisolar amorphous panel (I think they were actually rated at 68W). All 3 were linked via a Plasmatronics PL20 controller to a well discharged Trojan 120Ah 12v battery each.

Results were interesting - early in the morning and overcast days, the Unisolar amorphous panel out[performed the other 2 despite being rated as the least powerful. One hot sunny days the monocrystaline was the winner - but only just. Over the course of a month in Sydney, the total outputs were pretty similar. It vindicated Unisolar's boasts about extracting more power in low light conditions, and the lack of glass meant they were extremely tough. BUT the old drawback of efficiency meant that they were huge for the output. It you had the space, then in my opinion, they were the bees knees.

[parrotheadinchief]

Well done. Straight forward and to the point.

[anthonypalermo]

I wanted to thank you for the idea of PVC pipe solar panel stand. I did a slight Mod. but your design was great and saved me lots of money. I used it for 2 full size panels and used 1" and 3/4" pvc. Works Great. Thanks (didn't know where else to post thx)

[capnkirk]

Really liked the info and the presentation, so I liked, subbed and a comment for the algorithm so I see if you do anything else as good :)

[nore]

I’m looking to install a solar panel system on a future project, since I’m in Quebec I experience a lot of different skies. Your video today was most interesting thanks 🙏

[diySolarPowerFunWithRay]

Very good test. Thanks for posting. Awesome videos. I could have swore that your channel and had like five hundred subscribers a few weeks ago. Crazy progress.!

[KennyC]

Doing some boondock camping with our RV this summer. Thanks for the great video and useful info!

[Paddy_Mac]

Hey Alex, I really enjoyed this video and your video running a fridge on 100ah lithium battery - I predict you are going to gain a lot of followers if you keep producing fun, interesting science type videos.

[pierrec]

Ideally, you should orient the panels perpendicular to the sun. That is if you put a square on the surface of the panel, it should not make a shadow. Of course the apparent position of the sun will change, and this is what makes sun trackers attractive. For a rough estimate, tilt your panel at the same angle as your latitude. Georgia is located between 34.9° and 30.6° North, so you should have a tilt somewhere between those two values. If you are in Atlanta, in the spirng, for example, use 33° and orient the panel due south. Your current setup appears to have a tilt of about 25° The tilt can also be adjusted for the season: In summer, subtract 12°, ie 21° and in winter, add 12° for a tilt of 45°.

[ktcpbhv]

Bravo! Subscribed. Please more content around this topic! Thanks

[Electronzap]

Great test. Definitely want to make the best use of the energy when there is a lot of sun, and have backup plans for when there isn't.

[jessicaalvarez]

Awesome!! Interesting to see such a range

[Mike-iquv]

Thanks, great info. Love to see a comparison between a pwm controller and a mppt controller in low watt application.

[jamesbrook]

We have a 100w panel for our Microcamper which I attach to the roof with suction cups which allows me to move it - for example onto the windscreen facing the sun in the morning/evening.

When we’re driving it goes inside and we charge the power station with the alternator.

The panel can get 80+ watts and everything between 0 and 80 and keeps the power station charged when we’re parked up.

We are in the north of the UK and my experience has been in March and April.

[kaungko]

Thank you so much mate. As I was palnning to buy 100 w solar panel, this video is exactly what I was searching for. Thanks you for your effort

[terrylane]

your power output is closely matching your hours of usable sunshine. Great validations of on already known number. It would have been more interesting if you were to compare a couple of different brands of panels, but overall, well done.