Testing Renogy's 100W Portable Solar Panel [Extreme Conditions in the Grand Canyon]

There are difficult environments to test solar equipment and then there's the bottom of the Grand Canyon in July -- it's hot, it's wet, it's dusty, it's on another level altogether. We needed to keep our batteries charged up, so decided to put Renogy's 100W portable solar panel to the ultimate test -- 19 days on a self-guided Colorado River rafting expedition through Grand Canyon National Park!

Our solar product reviews are based upon nearly 12 years of living with solar full-time on the road, and over 5 years of using Renogy Products. We use them, we rely on them and you can get 10% off your Renogy using our link: https://renogy.sjv.io/LPEyNY and promo code "CANLIFE."

USA Website Products Tested:
Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel - https://renogy.sjv.io/75jNO5

Canada Website Products Tested:
Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel - https://renogy.sjv.io/da4jEy

U.K. Website Products Tested:
Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel - https://renogy.sjv.io/DKDzvn

Australia Website Products Tested:
Renogy 100W Portable Solar Panel - https://renogy.sjv.io/OrG3qQ

Why we choose this panel as our go to charging source:
1. It’s only 9.5 lbs. and folds down to a manageable size, 24 x 21 x 2 inches.
2. It’s made of a soft, flexible, durable material with a water-resistant storage pouch which protects the charging cords and outlets.
3. The rugged handle and 4 tie-down grommets make it easy to secure the panel just about anywhere.
4. It’s small enough to easily stow away, but powerful enough to charge multiple personal electronic devices at the same time, even a good-sized power station.
5. With 3 USB outlets, it’s perfect for a large group or family.

How'd it do?

Durability:
The 100W lightweight solar panel was able to handle everything that was thrown at it – neither sand, dirt nor even fully submerging it in the river ever damaged it, nor kept it from performing. The water resistant case not only protected the charging ports, but was also a great place to keep small electronics out of the sand and elements while charging.

Temperature:
Sunshine was not an issue, and we had plenty of it; but daytime highs in the full sun reached nearly 115 degrees Fahrenheit at the bottom of the canyon, which may have pushed us physically, but the panel just kept on charging!

Performance:
We wanted to be able to recharge camera batteries, smart phones, power banks, emergency equipment, string lights, headlamps, Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and anything else that we might need for 19 days in the wilderness. And, this 100W lightweight Renogy panel made this possible! Recharging these personal electronics was not an issue, and we’re confident that we could have charged up a larger power station, since the panel comes with MC4 outputs that are used for charging higher capacity battery banks.

Storage:
Keeping the panel tucked away wasn’t a challenge. Because of its slim design and flexible materials, it just tucked in with the rest of our gear and could be strapped down through the integrated handle. This made sure we were rigged to flip through the biggest rapids on the river – did I mention that we put that to the test?

Our Opinion:
This Renogy panel offered the best combination for power, storage, adaptability, durability and water resistance for our group's needs while on this three week adventure in this harsh environment. If it survived the Grand Canyon in July, imagine how much use you'll get out it for your small camper, van, or weekend camping adventure.

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Disclaimer: Most of the videos we make include affiliate links and paid sponsorship, this helps keeps our information free and us on the road (12 years and counting!).

This video is intended to help users plan, organize, calculate, and install a personal DIY solar powered electrical system. We, Shari & Hutch (Freedom in a Can, LLC), are neither professional electricians nor solar installers; we are educators who have learned to install our own system and to empower others to do the same. If you have questions, reach out in the comments section and we'll get back to you.

If you need further assistance beyond our advice, consult a solar professional or certified electrician. Electricity is dangerous, so do your homework, take it one step at a time, and good luck!