Which of these solar panels is the best value?
Of the panels compared here, the best value is the 200W N-Type Solar Panel, at $0.900/W and ranked #1 of 4. Its price at Renogy is $179.99, the lowest of the group, while the rest cost $199.99 for the 200W N-Type Bifacial Solar Panel, $239.99 for the ShadowFlux 200W N-Type Anti-Shading Solar Panel and $311.99 for the 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel. On value, the bifacial panel comes #2 of 4 at $1.000/W.
The ShadowFlux follows at #3 of 4 and $1.200/W, while the flexible panel is #4 of 4 at $1.560/W. Each panel carries a rating of 200 W. When every panel has the same rating, the order by price per watt and the order by price are the same.
| Product | Best current price | Cost per watt | Value rank |
|---|---|---|---|
 Renogy 200W N-Type Solar Panel | $179.99 at Renogy | $0.900/W | #1 of 4 |
 Renogy 200W N-Type Bifacial Solar Panel | $199.99 at Renogy | $1.000/W | #2 of 4 |
| Renogy ShadowFlux 200W N-Type Anti-Shading Solar Panel | $239.99 at Renogy | $1.200/W | #3 of 4 |
 Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel | $311.99 at Renogy | $1.560/W | #4 of 4 |
What do you get for the money with the 200W N-Type Solar Panel?
For $179.99, the 200W N-Type Solar Panel gives you a 200 W rating at $0.90 per watt. Renogy lists its module efficiency at 20.7 %, and the ShadowFlux matches it at 20.7 %. This panel weighs 23.4 lb.
At maximum power, Renogy rates it at 31.03 V and 6.45 A. Its open circuit voltage (Voc) is 37.44 V, and the short circuit current (Isc) is 6.85 A. Renogy gives a Voc temperature coefficient of -0.26 %/°C.
Voc goes up as a panel gets colder, so leave some room below the input limit of your charge controller. If you plan to wire panels in series, add up their open circuit voltages before you buy the controller.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
How does the 200W N-Type Bifacial Solar Panel differ from the 200W N-Type Solar Panel?
The 200W N-Type Bifacial Solar Panel is listed as bifacial (yes) and costs $199.99 at Renogy, against $179.99 for the 200W N-Type Solar Panel. How much a bifacial panel gains from its back side depends on what sits behind it. At $199.99 and a 200 W rating, the bifacial model costs $1.00 per watt.
It weighs 22.71 lb, while the 200W N-Type Solar Panel weighs 23.4 lb. Its module efficiency is 19.9 %, below the 20.7 % listed for the 200W N-Type Solar Panel. Renogy rates this panel at 25 V and 8 A at maximum power, with 29.6 V open circuit and 8.7 A short circuit.
How much does the ShadowFlux cost and weigh?
The ShadowFlux costs $239.99 at Renogy and weighs 23.83 lb. That price works out to $1.20 per watt. Renogy lists its form factor as rigid.
For the electrical side, the maker gives a Voc of 36.5 V and an Isc of 6.86 A. Its rated figures at maximum power are 31.3 V and 6.38 A. The ShadowFlux has a Voc temperature coefficient of -0.25 %/°C, next to -0.26 %/°C for the 200W N-Type Solar Panel and -0.29 %/°C for the flexible panel.
A coefficient closer to zero means the voltage shifts less as panel temperature changes.
How light is the 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel?
The 200 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel weighs 10.8 lb, the lightest here, while the other panels weigh 22.71 lb, 23.4 lb and 23.83 lb. Renogy lists its form factor as flexible, and the output connector is mc4. It costs $311.99 at Renogy, which is $1.56 per watt.
Its module efficiency is 16.7 %. Renogy's listing states a warranty of 10 years that covers materials and workmanship, and a separate 25-year warranty covers power output of at least 80%. Renogy's rated figures for the flexible panel are 20.1 V and 10.02 A at maximum power.
Renogy gives an open circuit voltage of 23.9 V and a short circuit current of 10.74 A. Check the maker's installation instructions for any panel before you choose how to mount it.
Strengths
- Weight class: easy to carry (under 30 lb)
How should you choose between these panels?
On weight, the flexible panel is the lightest at 10.8 lb, against 22.71 lb for the bifacial panel, 23.4 lb for the 200W N-Type Solar Panel and 23.83 lb for the ShadowFlux. Weight counts if you move panels often, but also think about where the panel will go and how you will wire it. Every panel in this list falls in the easy to carry (under 30 lb) weight class.
Module efficiency runs from 16.7 % on the flexible panel to 19.9 % on the bifacial panel and 20.7 % on both the ShadowFlux and the 200W N-Type Solar Panel. Higher efficiency means the same rated watts can fit in a smaller panel. Open circuit voltage spans 23.9 V on the flexible panel, 29.6 V on the bifacial one, 36.5 V on the ShadowFlux and 37.44 V on the 200W N-Type Solar Panel.
Check the open circuit voltage against your controller or power station before you order. If price per watt comes first for you, the value ranking in the first section gives the order. Whichever panel you pick, check where shadows fall on the spot during the day.
If weight comes first, weigh the pounds you save against the price per watt you can accept.