Question about those solar panel kits from home improvement stores

I put a 100 watt Renogy panel on my shed roof back in April, mostly because I was sick of extension cords for my string lights. Figured it would barely do anything, but it actually ran a fan and lights for 4 hours during that July blackout in my neighborhood. Has anyone else had a cheap setup beat their expectations like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

nora_campbell6625d ago

Totally the cheap inverters are actually pretty solid for small setups.

jamieburns25d ago

@nora_campbell66 hit on something real about the inverters. Had the exact same Renogy 100 watt setup and forked over $30 for a no-name inverter off Amazon just to test it. That thing ran an 8 inch box fan straight through a 6 hour storm last fall while the whole block was dark. Kept the bedroom window fan going because the power flickered and we lost the central air. Not saying I'd trust it for a fridge or anything medical, but for small stuff those cheap inverters punch way above their price tag.