Solar Kits FAQs

Choosing the right size is crucial for maximizing your investment. We recommend following these four steps:

Step 1: List Your Appliances and Calculate Your Daily Energy Need (in Watt-Hours)

This is the foundation of your system. You need to know how much energy you use.

Make a List: Write down every appliance you want to power.
Find the Wattage: Check the label on each appliance for its power rating (in Watts, W).
Estimate Usage Time: How many hours per day will you use each item?
Calculate: For each appliance: Power (W) × Hours Used = Watt-Hours (Wh).
Add It Up: Sum the Watt-Hours for all appliances. This is your total Daily Energy Consumption.
Example:
● LED Light (10W) used for 5 hours = 50 Wh
● Laptop (60W) used for 4 hours = 240 Wh
● Small Refrigerator (150W, cycles on/off) runs about 4 hours total = 600 Wh
● Total Daily Need: 50 + 240 + 600 = 890 Wh

Step 2: Assess Your Installation Space & Sunlight
The size of the solar system you can build is limited by the space you have available.

Find Your Spot: Where will you put the panels? (e.g., Rooftop, yard, balcony?)
Measure the Area: Get the length and width of your available space. This determines the maximum physical size and number of panels you can fit.
Check for Sunlight: Does this spot get direct, unobstructed sunlight for most of the day (especially from 9 AM to 3 PM)? Avoid areas shaded by trees, chimneys, or other buildings.

Step 3: Size Your Battery Bank (Your Energy Storage)
Your battery capacity must be large enough to store the energy you use, especially when the sun isn't shining.

Basic Rule: Your battery's usable capacity (in Watt-Hours) should be at least 20-30% more than your Daily Energy Consumption from Step 1.
Consider "Days of Autonomy": How many cloudy days in a row do you want to power your essentials? If you want 2 days of power, double your needed capacity.
Key Conversion: Battery capacity is often listed in Amp-Hours (Ah). Convert to Watt-Hours: Battery Voltage (V) x Amp-Hours (Ah) = Watt-Hours (Wh).

Example: For our 890 Wh daily need, a 12V 200Ah battery provides 12V x 200Ah = 2400 Wh. After accounting for a safe 50% depth of discharge, you have 1200 Wh of usable power—a good buffer for your 890 Wh need.

Step 4: Size Your Solar Panels (Your Energy Factory)
Your solar panels need to be powerful enough to recharge your battery bank on a typical day.

Basic Rule: Take your Daily Energy Consumption (from Step 1) and divide it by the average Peak Sun Hours in your location.
Formula: Total Solar Wattage Needed = Daily Watt-Hours ÷ Peak Sun Hours

Example: For 890 Wh in a location with 4.5 peak sun hours: 890 Wh ÷ 4.5 h ≈ 200 Watts of solar panels. We'd recommend rounding up to 250W-300W to account for system losses and less-than-perfect days.

Step 5: Choose Your Inverter and Charge Controller

Inverter: Its power rating (in Watts) must be higher than the total combined wattage of the appliances you might run at the same time. (e.g., fridge kicking on + TV + lights).
Charge Controller: It must match the voltage of your system (e.g., 12V, 24V) and be able to handle the current from your solar panels.

Step 6: Bring It All Together and Choose Your Solar Kit
Once you have completed these calculations, you’ll have a clear blueprint of your solar system. With these key numbers in hand, you can confidently select a solar kit that matches your needs.

If you have any questions during the calculation or selection process, please feel free to contact our customer service team.

A solar kit is absolutely worth it for most users. It means better compatibility, no voltage or connector mismatches, and a smoother installation process. All components, including the solar panels, charge controller and wiring, are tested to work together. You also get one-stop after-sales support.

Additionally, solar kits typically cost less than buying each item separately. This approach saves you time and makes installation much easier.

● Starter Kit: Panel watt<400W, no battery, includes solar panels + PWM controller + basic accessories.
● Essential Kit: Panel watt bewteen 400 and 1000W, optional battery/inverter, MPPT controller + premium accessories + Bluetooth.
● Complete Kit: Panel watt>400W, full set with battery, inverter, premium accessories, MPPT controller.
● Ultimate Solution: Our ultimate solution delivers multiple capacity options, purpose-built for RV, cabin, and other specific lifestyles.

Prices for solar kits with the same wattage vary due to difference in components and overall system capacity. While the panel wattage may be similar, higher-priced kits typically include higher-efficiency panels (e.g. anti-shading). It may also contain batteries or inverters, as well as features such as Bluetooth monitoring, making the solar system more complete and functional.

You can download product manuals from:
● The Download section on the product page
● Renogy Manual Center
Manuals include installation steps, wiring diagrams, and safety instructions.

● Each Solar Kit product page provides a Wiring Diagram for detailed system connection guidance.
● If issues persist after following the diagram, contact Renogy Customer Support for assistance.

Each product page has a FAQ section with detailed information and typical questions about that SKU.

Yes, you can expand your solar system. When doing so, first ensure any new components are compatible with your existing setup, and always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines during installation.

For added functionality, consider integrating a DC-DC battery charger in your vehicle for backup charging, along with the Renogy One Core for real-time Bluetooth monitoring and system control.

● We provide detailed compatibility lists for all our products on their respective product pages. Please go to the detailed product description page and look for the "Specs" section.
● If you have a specific model number of the device you want to pair it with, feel free to contact our support team with that information for a definitive answer.

Yes, solar panels do still work on rainy or cloudy days, though their energy production is significantly lower than on sunny days. To ensure a continuous power supply during periods of low sunlight, you have two backup options:

1. Use a DC-to-DC battery charger to replenish your system’s batteries from your vehicle as a backup power source.
2. Install a transfer switch, which allows you to seamlessly switch your power supply to the grid when solar energy is insufficient.

The Bluetooth module is not strictly necessary as an upgrade. However, it provides a function that allows you to monitor your system in real-time.

Yes, Renogy offers a DIY Solar Kit page where you can select and combine components to build your custom system. For details, visit: DIY Solar Kit

● Before shipping: You can cancel the entire order for a full refund.
● After shipping: Once an order is in transit, it cannot be automatically canceled. You maycontact usto request a recall, but success cannot be guaranteed. If the recall is unsuccessful, you will need to receive the items first and then follow the return process.
● Partial returns: For partial returns, refunds are based on the adjusted value of each returned item, not the original price. Any bundle discount you received will be proportionally applied across all items.

● Before shipping: You can cancel the entire order for a full refund.
● After shipping: Once an order is in transit, it cannot be automatically canceled. You may contact us to request a recall, but success cannot be guaranteed. If the recall is unsuccessful, you will need to receive the items first and then follow the return process.
● Partial returns: For partial returns, refunds are based on the adjusted value of each returned item, not the original price. Any bundle discount you received will be proportionally applied across all items.

● New customers: Subscribe to receive a welcome discount: Subscribe here
● Existing customers: Check the points store to redeem discount codes: Membership Points Store

● Warranty coverage varies by component. Solar panels include a 10-year workmanship warranty and a 25-year performance warranty (80% output). The llithium battery is covered for 5 years, and the inverter comes with a 2-year warranty.

● We strive to provide the most comprehensive and reliable warranty policy to ensure that your system operates at its best at all times.

You can add the extended warranty service to your cart when you were shopping. Its price is dynamically calculated based on the product(s) you select.

● Orders are processed within 1–3 business days after payment confirmation, excluding weekends and holidays.
● Shipping time depends on the warehouse location and delivery address.Most orders are delivered within 5–10 business days.

● Renogy operates warehouses in GA, CA, MO, TX, and NJ.
● To ensure fast and secure delivery, kit or solution orders may ship from multiple warehouses.You may receive your order in several packages delivered separately.

● Once your order ships, a shipping confirmation email with the tracking number will be sent to you. You can also log in to your Renogy account and check the status under Track My Order.
● If you did not receive the email, please check your email address and spam folder.

● Tracking updates may be delayed if the carrier has not completed the initial scan. Delays may also occur due to holidays or weather conditions.
● Please wait 24–48 hours and check again. If the issue persists, contact Renogy Customer Support with your order number.

● If the outer package is damaged, please first check whether the product is intact and functioning properly.
● If the product is undamaged, no further action is required.
● If the product is damaged or not working, take photos of the packaging and product condition and contact Renogy Customer Support with your order details.

● Some Solar Kit orders may be shipped in multiple packages and delivered separately. Before reporting missing items, please check the tracking information to confirm all packages have arrived.
● If all packages show delivered and items are still missing, contact us with your order details and photos of the received items.