Cheap Off Grid Solar Panel Kits (2024)
Suner Power Definitive Review
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This is the Ultimate Guide to the Suner Power RV Solar Charger – Off Grid Solar Panel Kits
We’ve been reviewing the best of the best solar panels on the market for 2024 and we have our full results and verdict on the Suner Power off-grid solar panel kits, right here in one easy-to-digest TopNotch review.
We present the Suner Power 20 Watt Kit as our TopNotch Best Value.
We’ve put it through its paces in a range of tests over multiple applications and gathered all you need to know about it.
Here, we’ll also focus in on the following:
- The general pros and cons of the kit
- The ease of use and versatility
- A side by side comparison with its competitors
- Lots more…
Need to charge your devices on-the-go?
Need an emergency backup for home?
Planning to head ‘off-grid’ with your RV – but still want to power-up when you decide?
You’ll love this review.
In this review we’ll share the details about the kit’s performance, charging speed, durability and loads of other interesting facts and figures.
In addition, we’ll also compare it with the other top products we’ve tested.
Keep reading to find out why we marked this great little powerhouse as the TopNotch Best Value product in its category.
- Manufacturer: Suner Power
- Panel Type: Monocrystalline
- Power Output: Dual USB & DC
- Output Capacity: 20W
- Weight: 4.35lbs
Bottom Line : Comes with a blocking diode to prevent overcharging
Pros
- Comes with a blocking diode to prevent overcharging
- Has a sturdy aluminum frame
- Efficient three-stage charging
- Weatherproof construction for outdoor use
- An extended 12-month warranty
- Affordable price point
Cons
- The clamps can get loose with use
- Slower charging on cloudy days
- Suited for smaller vehicles
Our Verdict: Off Grid Solar Panel Kits – Suner Power
If you’re looking for a steady and dependable power source when heading off-grid, then using a solar panel has to be the best option.
With multiple advanced features that ensure optimized charging, the Suner Power off-grid solar panel kit is a top choice for breathing life into your RV batteries, powering your laptop, or charging your tech.
We used this kit both in RVs and cars during testing and found the kit the perfect choice for hassle-free charging.
Honestly, all you need to do for getting top performance from this solar charger is plug and play and provide it with a clear view of the sun.
Sounds easy?
It is.
And there’s even more to like…
The kit is loaded with a range of practical features that we loved and we know you will too.
It requires very little maintenance and its compact size makes it easy to maneuver.
We also found the kit super durable.
It provides all-weather performance with no trace of power drainage.
However, the clamps can come loose with time and the device charges slowly under a cloud cover…
… But this is true of most solar panels in this category.
Looking for a simple and affordable solar panel kit that’s easy to use?
You’ll hit the bull’s eye with this off-grid kit from Suner Power.
So let’s get down to business and take a closer look at this kit.
Related: 9 Best Portable Solar Panels
Our Analysis, Comparisons & Test Results
As part of the tests to find the 3 best solar kits out of the top 10, we embarked on a mini-road trip to get off-grid.
We analyzed the performance of the Suner Power Kit against the various standard metrics (details later) to judge its performance against the other nine top performers in the category.e contenders.
Let’s dig a bit deeper and find out more.
Value For Money
You know what really impressed us about this kit?
The fact that this small solar kit packs so much value in it.
So what makes this kit stand out in terms of value?
Let’s find out.
Value For Money Rating
Fact 1: The Suner Power Kit comes with polycrystalline solar cells that guarantee years of service. They have an intelligent charge controller meaning the panel will work more efficiently and the battery will be fully protected during charge and discharge – reducing the damage to the battery ions over the long term.
Fact 2: With the SAE connectors (included) we found the kit super easy to plug and play and a great choice for first-time users.
And finally, it comes with a full one year warranty and a lifetime of technical support.
This off-grid solar panel kit will trickle charge your batteries (RV, Laptop, Smartphone – you name it) as long as sufficient sunlight is available.
Moreover, the anodized aluminum frame makes the device extremely durable. We used it throughout our trip and even while camping (not all of the handling was gentle) and the kit proved it’s built to last.
The best part is it’s designed with multiple safeguards to protect the battery from any type of damage.
We also found this kit to be pretty much maintenance-free.
As if that’s not enough, the price is affordable and represents great value.
So following our field testing, our team didn’t hesitate to place this solar kit in the top spot in this metric.
Charge Interruption Recovery
Take note – even the best performers didn’t receive a perfect score on this.
We tested the Suner Power Charging kit in full sunlight and then under cloud cover to compare the performance when connected with a cell phone battery. The device did slow down under a cloudy sky but continued to supply power to the connected batteries.
Charge Interruption Recovery Rating
How?
It’s the high-quality solar panel and the large surface area that does the job so well even in shady conditions.
The fact is, when the device was disconnected periodically under thick clouds, it took some time while reconnecting to the battery. Our team had to manually reconnect the kit with the battery in such scenarios.
To be honest, while the performance under this metric is good, it is not at par with the other best solar panels we reviewed.
Charging Speed
We compared the charging speed of the whole range of kits while compiling our solar panel review.
Firstly, we used a Samsung Galaxy S10 with a fully depleted battery and connected it to the kit with a converter.
And guess what?
This was done under sunny conditions for an hour to ensure the best possible outcome.
Charging Speed Rating
Secondly, we also connected the device with an external battery pack of 10,000 mAh under the same conditions.
So what was the result?
The Suner Power Off-Grid Solar Panels Kit charged the phone from 0 to 20 percent in an hour.
When it came to the external battery pack, it was charged to 23 percent in an hour.
The result?
While this isn’t necessarily the best among the top solar kits for RVs, we consider this a decent performance.
Basically, when you need fast charging, you also need to pick a kit with higher wattage.
The variation in the output power range of the devices you charge will also determine the charging speed.
Keep in mind this kit doesn’t have a built-in USB charging capability. So if your main purpose is to charge such devices, it is best to buy a device designed specifically for that.
Multiple Device Charging Speed
Quite simply, a solar power kit with an output of 5 to 10 watts will not be a suitable choice for charging multiple devices while off-grid.
But that’s not all.
Even though the panels with higher capacity will charge multiple devices better, you’ll have to pay a lot more for them.
Multiple Device Charging Speed Rating
The Suner Power solar panel kit comes with a 20 Watt capacity and hence it is not the fastest charger when connected to multiple devices, or your RV.
In our field tests, we used the device for charging up the RV battery and also for charging a 5 volt DC LED light kit.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, we noted that the charging was slow even though it was really steady.
The fact is, trickle charging limits the speed of the kit and hence this kit isn’t the best option for charging multiple devices quickly.
After our tests, we concluded this kit from Suner Power isn’t the best when compared with the other off-grid solar panel kits – when it comes to multiple charging.
The three step-charging process keeps the charging process super smooth, but it isn’t the fastest.
Durability
Naturally, we expect the best solar panel charging kits to effectively withstand the elements.
So is the Suner Power Solar Panel Kit durable enough for outdoor or off-grid use?
Sure it is.
We used it under the hot sun and also during some heavy showers on the second day of the road trip.
Durability Rating
The simple truth is…
… This kit is manufactured from premium grade solar glass to perform for years as a portable/ travel off-grid solar panel kit.
To begin with, the junction box of the unit comes with a weatherproof design that means it’s able to withstand rain or snow.
On top of that, it has a rubber lining at the edges of the panel.
Bonus point…
We also noted that the suction cups that fit into the slots are of high quality.
Most of all, the high level of durability means you can leave the charger outdoors without any worries.
However, the mounting accessories for this RV solar panel installation aren’t the best quality.
Hence, we suggest replacing them with high-quality hardware when mounting the panel.
Weight & Portability
Let’s start with the facts.
This solar panel by Suner Power weighs slightly above 4 pounds which makes it very light…
…Ideal for traveling off-grid.
Now, considering the use of ABS to enhance the build quality, we think this weight is perfect for easy handling.
Next, the overall dimensions mean it’s compact enough to carry around in your car or RV without any issues.
Weight & Portability Rating
In fact, good portability along with the ease of use made this off-grid solar panel kit a favorite choice for our review team.
The excellent portability also makes the kit versatile enough for use in a wide variety of vehicles.
It’s small enough that we could also use this device inside our tents during the trip.
On the whole, the intuitive design and the lightweight flexibility makes the Suner Power Off-Grid Solar Panel Kit one of the best solar panels for an RV, car, or emergency home use under this metric.
Conclusion: Off Grid Solar Panel Kits – Suner Power
So let’s sum it all up.
The fact of the matter is…
…If you’re looking for a solar panel that will support your general power needs during a road trip, this kit from Suner Power is one of the best kits available.
And why is this so?
There is the 10A intelligent solar charge controller that ensures optimized charging. Note that it is also designed to protect the battery from overcharge, over-discharge, over-voltage and short circuits.
In addition, there is the Work Time Setting function that can be used to operate the device automatically.
The portable solar panel kit also comes with SAE Connection Kits that make plugging up very easy.
And don’t forget…
…There’s also the 12-month warranty and a lifetime of technical support that comes with the kit.
Frankly, with great performance and TopNotch durability, our team loved the device.
It may not be the best RV solar panel kit in terms of charging speed, but this compact off-grid solar panel kit from Suner Power definitely offers great value as a complete package, making it our TopNotch Best Value choice.
So should you count this unit among the best solar panels?
From the TopNotch team, the answer is a definite “yes”.
Now its over to you to make your choice.
