The 100 Watt Thunderbolt Solar Panel Kit from Harbor Freight is an affordable, entry-level solar panel system. As described on the Solar Exporters website, it includes 4 x 25 watt amorphous silicon solar panels for a total of 100 watts, along with a stand, cables, LED lights and a built-in charge controller.
With its portable, foldable panels and simple design, the Thunderbolt kit is intended to be easy to set up and use for basic solar electricity needs. The amorphous solar cells can effectively charge a 12V battery, even in low light conditions, providing sufficient power to run small appliances and devices for off-grid applications like RVs, cabins, and emergency backup (Search Results 1, 3, 10).
While convenient and budget-friendly, the 100W Thunderbolt system does have some limitations in terms of efficiency and electricity output compared to higher-end solar panel kits. Nonetheless, it offers an affordable way to harness solar energy for portable, low-power demands.
Performance
According to the product details, the Thunderbolt’s 100W solar panel system can fully recharge a 12V battery after a typical sunny day. However, the amorphous solar cell technology is less efficient overall at converting sunlight to electricity than traditional crystalline silicon cells (Search Results 1, 5, 10).
Actual power output from the 100W solar panel kit will vary based on conditions like sun exposure, angle to the sun, and temperature. While the maximum rated output is 100 watts, real-world results will often be lower than this peak rating, especially in cloudy or cold weather (Search Results 1, 12).
Comparative tests of amorphous vs. crystalline solar panels showed that the amorphous cells in the Thunderbolt kit perform better than crystalline cells on overcast days with diffuse light. However, crystalline panels generate significantly more power in full, direct sunlight. So there is a tradeoff between performance in low light vs. peak output (Search Results 5, 10).
Overall, the 100W amorphous solar panel system can be considered sufficient for basic, low-power applications. But more demanding loads would require a larger or more efficient solar array.
Cost
The Harbor Freight Thunderbolt 100 Watt Solar Panel Kit itself sells for around $200. However, to actually use the solar electricity produced, you need additional components like:
- 12V battery to store power
- Charge controller to regulate charging
- Inverter to convert DC to AC power for devices
With these accessories, the total cost for a complete, working system is typically $330 or more.
Despite these extra expenses, a full 100W solar panel setup for $330 is still considered relatively affordable compared to other portable solar kits with similar capabilities (Search Results 2, 6). For a basic, entry-level solar system, the Thunderbolt kit is competitively priced.
Pros
The Thunderbolt solar panel kit offers the following benefits according to customer reviews and product comparisons:
- Low cost – Complete 100W system $330 (Search Results 1, 6)
- Easy, fast setup – Can be installed in under an hour (Search Results 1, 4)
- Good portability due to foldable panels (Search Results 1, 10)
- Sufficient performance for small solar applications (Search Results 4, 10)
- Amorphous cells work well in low light conditions
Cons
The main downsides or limitations of the Harbor Freight 100W solar panel kit include:
- Amorphous solar cells less efficient than crystalline cells (Search Results 1, 5, 12)
- Lower power output than similar 100W crystalline panel systems (Search Results 2, 11)
- Accessories like battery, inverter sold separately
- Can’t support high-power devices or appliances
Conclusion
The Thunderbolt 100 Watt Solar Panel Kit from Harbor Freight offers a simple, affordable way to harness solar power for basic, low-power applications like charging batteries or running small electronics and DC appliances off-grid.
While the amorphous solar panels are less efficient than crystalline silicon panels overall, the Thunderbolt system still provides usable solar electricity at a competitive price point. Ease of use and portability are also major advantages for applications like emergency power, RVs, and cabins where convenience is important.
For larger solar systems to power high-drain AC appliances, the 100W Thunderbolt kit would need to be expanded with additional panels. But as an entry-level solar panel kit for modest electricity demands, the Thunderbolt delivers functional solar energy generation at a budget-friendly price.
So for RV and emergency power, remote cabins, or simply gaining experience with solar electricity, the 100 Watt Thunderbolt Solar Panel Kit is a reasonably priced starting point to harness the power of the sun.