Should I Get A 200W Solar Panel? (FAQs Answered)

A single 200W panel is powerful but NOT powerful enough to power an entire home (most of the time), and here’s why.

In this article, we’ll list down everything you need to know about them, so you can skip it if a 200W solar panel isn’t right for you—and to save you time and money from an expensive mistake such as buying the wrong wattage unit with poor return and exchange policy. Read on.

How Does a 200W Solar Panel Work?

200W solar panels work the same way as any other panels of different wattage. Here’s the basic process:

1. Sunlight hits the solar panel
2. Silicon cells in the panel absorb the sunlight
3. Electrons in the silicon get triggered and energized and start flowing
4. The flow of electrons creates electricity (direct current – DC)
5. The inverter converts the DC electricity to alternating current (AC) for your appliances

How Much Electricity Can a 200W Solar Panel Generate?

On a good day, a 200W solar panel can generate usable solar energy anywhere between 700Wh and 1300Wh. Just take into consideration that the amount of energy you can generate will be based on the position of the PV unit, your site or geographical location, and the weather conditions in your area. That’s why energy generation may fluctuate from time to time.

How to Choose the Right 200W Solar Panel

Choosing the right 200W solar panel for your property will depend on key factors and considerations, beyond just wattage. It can be:

• Budget — how much are you willing to shell out to buy one? what about maintenance costs?
• Durability — how long will the solar system last before it becomes unusable? is it flexible?
• Energy requirements — how much electricity do you plan to generate? how much energy do your house and electronics need? will the generated energy suffice your requirements?
• Available space — how much roof area do you have for panels? easy installation?
• Panel efficiency — higher efficiency means more power per square foot
• Product warranty — does it have a good warranty? what about positive customer feedback? *Consider an option that gives you peace of mind.

Having solar PV installed has many benefits and can be great for the pocket and the environment. But, now that there are way too many options around, it can be overwhelming to choose which one is the right fit for you. And if choosing is something you’re having a hard time with, maybe one of our experts can help you list all your considerations and match you with the right solar panel unit. Just click here to book a 1:1 consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following are the recurring questions surrounding 200W solar panels and capacity.

What can you run off a 200-watt solar panel?

A 200W panel can’t power an entire house—a camper trailer or a boat, maybe?—but it can run small appliances like LED lights, phone chargers, laptops/desktop computers (for a limited time), electric fans, a microwave oven, and an LCD TV (depending on size and efficiency) as long as you don’t use them simultaneously. 

How much power can a 200W solar panel produce?

A 200W panel can produce up to 12 amps of power per hour on average (on a good day). Assuming there are more than 6 hours of sunlight in the daytime. In winter seasons or, during cloudy weather, at peak, maybe about 3 hours of sunlight.

How long will a 200W solar panel charge a 100Ah battery?

The charging time of your 200W solar panel will depend on the battery size and its exposure to sunlight.

For example: Charging a 100ah battery can take around 10 to 20 hours (in the daytime) using a a 200W solar panel, given that the battery’s absolutely drained, or at 0%.

Can a single 200-watt solar panel run a refrigerator?

Yes, BUT it depends on the efficiency requirements of your refrigerator. A high-efficiency refrigerator may require more than a single 200W panel. As you know, refrigerators typically require more power (between 100W and 250W of power/hr) than 200W panels to work properly and consistently. So, a single 200W panel is not enough to power an average-sized refrigerator for more than a few hours.

What size should a 200W solar panel be?

A standard 200W monocrystalline solar panel is approximately 0.65 square meters and should cost you around A$200, without the kit. Opting for a battery kit, depending on the brand and capacity, the price can go up to A$700 more.

Final Thoughts

The portability and flexibility offered by the 200W solar panel can be what makes them one of the prime picks. But opting for a 200W might not be the best choice on its own for most applications are they have relatively low power output. Yes, it can trickle-charge batteries or power small appliances, but won’t significantly impact your energy needs. And if you require substantial power generation, you’d likely need several 200W panels wired together, increasing cost and complexity—which can be counterintuitive.

However, 200W solar panels could be a good option if you ONLY need to power small, off-grid devices like small appliances, sensors, or lights for camping or fishing or if you’re someone just starting small and planning to expand your solar system later.