No need to be intimidated by the amount of choices either, as that’s where CNET comes in.
You’ve heard of Duracell, of course: Its batteries are everywhere.
It comes as no surprise then that the company makes such a strong offering to another energy product.
That’s a full 50% better than many panels marketed as providing the same 100 watts.
For just $150, that’s simply too good to pass up.
Can solar panels save you money?
Interested in understanding the impact solar can have on your home?
Enter some basic information below, and well instantly provide a free estimate of your energy savings.
Duracell 100W: Who is it best for?
Are you somebody who enjoyscamping?
Ever been caught with a dead phone during a power outage?
Knowing that you’ll always have a way to charge your phone carries a substantial peace of mind benefit.
The $149 price tag on the Duracell was the second-cheapest of the entire lot.
(Always check that to position your panel at a 90-degree angle to the sun.)
We found the others were difficult to arrange so you can get the correct angle to absorb maximum sunlight.
When the sun is directly overhead, however, none of the tested panels struggled.
Connection and ports
When purchasing a portable solar panel, connections are a mandatory consideration.
Portable solar panels also do not store energy, so your access to power is reliant on available sunlight.
you’re able to findCNET’s top ranked power stations here.
Adaptors are easy to find for $20 or less, so ultimately this is only a minor concern.
Personally, I can’t wait for the industry to standardize these connections.
Here at the CNET Testing Lab, we have panels ranging from 40 to 400 watts.
That’s the difference between charging a phone and powering a small refrigerator.
Are you planning to store the panel except in the event of a power outage?
Or are you a hiker planning to carry it with you across the countryside?
We were particularly interested in howefficient a solar panel can beas the temperature goes up.
