Renogy X
Renogy X makes portable solar panels for various off-grid applications, including cabins, RVs and tiny homes. DIYers and homeowners alike can get something out of Renogy’s solar panels.
Our rating: 3.2 out of 5
Best for: RVs and campers
Average cost: $1 to $2 per watt?
Renogy X at a glance
Renogy X is a solar panel company specializing in smaller off-grid applications, including cabins, tiny homes and RVs. Though it doesn’t make our list of best solar panels, it could be an excellent choice for DIYers.
Fast facts
- Renogy X was founded in 2010 by a group of students at Louisiana State University.
- The company offers a vast selection of solar panels, inverters, batteries, accessories and supplies for solar systems.
- Renogy X manufactures solar panels designed for RVs, campers, tiny homes and cabins.
- Renogy X has an accreditation with an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).*
What we like
Renogy X differentiates itself from other solar panel companies by focusing on off-grid solar systems. As an end-to-end solution for DIYers, it carries everything from solar panels and batteries to mounts, brackets and wiring. Its products include:
- Smaller portable solar panels that produce under 300 watts for campers and RVs that run off 12-volt power.
- Larger panels that produce up to 550 watts for small off-grid homes, including cabins and tiny homes.
In addition to selling solar panels and parts, Renogy X allows its customers to buy solar panels in complete kits that include all the necessary parts for building the system.
What we don’t like
Renogy X’s products are more expensive per watt than other solar companies. Depending on the panel, its panels cost between $1 and $2 per watt without installation. While customers are mostly satisfied with the performance of Renogy X’s products, numerous customers report problems with Renogy X’s customer service, citing a failure to provide enough support.
* BBB ratings are accurate as of August 2024.
Renogy X pros and cons
Renogy X’s broad selection of solar products makes it a good company for DIYers, campers, RV and tiny-house owners to depend on. The company sells something for everyone, including DIY kits. Even better: Renogy X has comprehensive instructional guides and videos on its website to help with installation. Unfortunately, customers may need the guides and videos. Many previous customers say they were not pleased with Renogy X’s post-sale customer support.
Pros
- Sells DIY-friendly solar kits
- Has a wide selection of products for campers, RVs and tiny homes
- Sells many solar accessories
Cons
- Solar panels aren’t as efficient as competitors
- Gaining a reputation for poor customer service
- Lower 80% power production guarantee at year 25
How much do Renogy X’s solar panels cost?
pro tip
- Renogy frequently marks down the price of its panels by up to 35%. So, if the product you want isn’t on sale, consider waiting a few weeks while regularly checking prices.
Renogy X sells a broad range of solar panel sizes and types, so its prices vary significantly. Since the company caters to DIYers, its solar panels and accessories are sold directly to consumers through the Renogy X website. Small portable panels that generate less than 300 watts run about $1.25 per watt. For example, its 100-watt, 12-volt monocrystalline solar panel costs $185, while its 200-watt, 12-volt monocrystalline solar panel costs up to $580.
The company’s larger solar panels for permanent installation have a similar per-watt cost. The bifacial 550-watt monocrystalline solar panel retails for $1,500. These costs are only for solar panels and don’t include other necessary equipment, such as brackets, inverters or wires.
Renogy X solar products and services
|
Offered?
|
|
|---|---|
| Solar panels | ? |
| Solar shingles | X |
| Microinverter | ? |
| String inverter | ? |
| Solar battery | ? |
| Power production guarantee | 25-year 80% output, 10-year 80% output, five-year 90% output |
| Workmanship warranty | One to 10 years |
| Solar battery warranty | One to seven years |
| Inverter warranty | One to five years |
What solar panels does Renogy X offer?
Renogy X offers a variety of solar panels and accessories designed especially for off-grid applications, including cabins, RVs, boats and tiny houses. It organizes panels into three types:
- Rigid: Renogy X’s rigid monocrystalline solar panels range in power output from 100 to 550 watts and include standard and bifacial models. These panels are designed for permanent installation and provide power for off-grid cabins and tiny homes.
- Flexible: The company makes five flexible solar panels that range from 50 watts to 200 watts. Flexible panels are only a fraction of the weight of rigid panels and can bend around structures, making them ideal for use on RVs.
- Portable: Renogy X’s portable solar panels, which you can use for camping, boating and other on-the-go needs, range from small, 5-watt models for trickle-charging RV batteries to up to a 400-watt solar “suitcase” panel that weighs only 30 pounds.
|
Power output
|
Efficiency
|
Temperature coefficient
|
Annual degradation rate
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bifacial 115 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel | 115 watts |
18.6% |
-0.38% |
Not available |
| Bifacial 220 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel | 220 watts |
18.6% |
-0.38% |
Not available |
| 50 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel | 50 watts |
16.9% |
-0.37% |
Not available |
| 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel | 100 watts |
17.8% |
-0.37% |
Not available |
| 2pcs 550 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel, UL Certified | 550 watts |
21.30% |
-0.35% |
Not available |
| 50 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel | 50 watts |
14.40% |
-0.37% |
Not available |
| Renogy 150W CIGS Solar Panel | 150 watts |
14% |
-0.38% |
Not available |
| 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel | 200 watts |
16.70% |
-0.38% |
Not available |
Renogy X solar batteries
Unlike other solar panel companies that make batteries for use as a whole-home backup, Renogy X has a line of 12-volt and 24-volt solar batteries to use in campers. They range in price from $200 to $4,569, depending on battery capacity. You can also bundle a battery purchase to get a discount on two or more batteries.
Renogy X inverters and microinverters
Renogy X also sells battery inverters that convert DC power from its solar batteries into AC power for off-grid applications. Similar to the company’s battery lines, it makes inverters for camper and home use. So, the price range here is also broad: $109 to $3,999, depending on the size and function of the inverter.
Renogy X solar accessories
Renogy X seeks to be an end-to-end solar solution for DIYers by offering panels, inverters and batteries and a complete line of supplies for solar panel installation. That includes systems for an RV and a small, off-grid home. Its accessories include wires, mountings and brackets, energy controllers, fuses, circuit breakers and other supplies. They’re all designed to help DIYers build their best solar array.
Renogy X solar panel performance
Compared to our top solar panel brands, Renogy X’s solar panels can’t quite compete. While you can buy 550-watt monocrystalline solar panels that reach decent efficiency levels of 21.3% from Renogy, these panels aren’t quite as durable. Solar panels from brands like Panasonic will still produce up to 92% of their expected energy after 25 years of use, but Renogy’s panels will be lucky to achieve 80%.
If Renogy has caught your eye because of its flexible solar panels, you will, unfortunately, be limited in terms of efficiency. These panels have efficiency levels of 14%, which is on par with what you can expect from this type of solar panel. Like its larger monocrystalline models, the flexible solar panels are expected to achieve 80% power production in year 25. Renogy doesn’t list its annual degradation rate in its spec sheets, but with an 80% power production at year 25, you can expect the degradation rate to be around 1% per year.
Renogy X product warranties
Renogy X’s products are designed for the DIY solar community, so its warranties are not nearly as robust as the 25-year warranties you’d see from other top solar panel brands like Mission Solar. Solar batteries come with a two- to seven-year material and workmanship warranty as long as they are installed and cared for correctly. Solar panel warranties also vary widely, with one- to 10-year warranties depending on the product.
The power production guarantees are also lacking, with the majority of the company’s solar panels having the following production guarantees:
- 95% at five years
- 90% at 10 years
- 80% at 25 years
How does Renogy X compare with competitors?
Because Renogy X’s solar systems are designed for tiny homes, cabins, RVs and other small applications, the company doesn’t compete directly with traditional solar providers that sell to conventional homeowners. Other national solar manufacturers usually don’t offer small solar panel setups for campers and portable use.
pro tip
- Make sure you install your solar panels and batteries correctly. If you don’t, you may not qualify for warranty coverage.
Renogy X has a line of rigid monocrystalline solar panels that are comparable to those offered by other companies. Renogy X’s solar panels have efficiency ratings of up to 23%, putting the company on par with some of the market’s most efficient solar panel companies, including REC Solar, Panasonic and Mission Solar.
However, Renogy X doesn’t match these companies when it comes to durability. Its rigid solar panel performance warranty is just 80% at year 25, well below the 92% that panels from Panasonic, REC Solar and other manufacturers deliver.
Renogy X vs. competitors
|
Our score (out of 5 stars)
|
Annual degradation rates
|
Panel types offered
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Renogy X | 3.2 |
Not available |
Monocrystalline, flexible solar panel |
| Panasonic Solar | 5.0 |
0.25% - 0.5% |
Monocrystalline, HJT, PERC, IBC, P-Type, N-Type |
| Mission Solar | 4.5 |
0.40% - 0.58% |
Monocrystalline, PERC |
| Jinko Solar | 4.2 |
0.40% - 0.60% |
Monocrystalline, PERC, N-type |
| Canadian Solar | 3.8 |
0.35% - 0.55% |
Monocrystalline, HJT, PERC, N-Type, Bifacial |
| ZNShine Solar | 3.7 |
0.40% - 0.55% |
Monocrystalline, polycrystalline |
| LONGi Solar | 3.6 |
0.40% - 0.55% |
P-type TOPCON, N-type TOPCON, N-type HJT, P-type HJT |
Methodology
Our review of Renogy X and other top national solar companies is based on extensive in-house research covering some 20 companies, 30 data points and 133 primary sources. We evaluated payment options, installation and service options, warranties, nationwide availability and years in the business while also going through dozens of customer reviews.
