Questions and Answers for Grape Solar 100-Watt Basic Off-Grid Solar Panel Kit

A:  You will need a drill & drill bits for mounting the panel. A metric wrench set for tightening the mounting bolts and a wire stripping/ crimping tool for making connections to the charge controller.

A:  To put it together you just need a screw driver to tighten the screws on the wire connections in the control unit. The rest of the tools you would need would depend entirely on how you will mount it. The brackets supplied have bolts and nuts as shown in the picture.

A:  I used a drill with a socket driver attachment. They went in like butter. Very easy, put the feet on the panel and drive the lags in and silicone them up.

A:  To cut and strip the 15-foot cable, you will need a wire stripper or similar tool. To attach the cables to the charge controller, you will need a Phillips head screwdriver. To mount the panel using our Zippity Feet brackets, you will need a wrench or socket set, as well as a drill.

A:  Absolutely. It has two usb ports. You do not need an inverter to use them, just plug your phone directly in the charge controller. It is best to do that during the day when the sun is charging your system, it does use some charge to recharge a almost dead smart phone.I call the charge controller "the brain". Enjoy!

A:  I have and it works very well.

A:  No, this kit is designed to charge deep cycle batteries. For phone charging, please see our GoCharger panels, also available through Home Depot.

A:  I wouldn't use this product for anything. It does have a USB port. However it probably won't work. I bought 8 systems nothing but problems. I tried to warranty the parts and the manufacturer won't warranty anything. System isn't worth the money. I would buy a different Brand. Customer service representative Steven Bouten refuses to warranty any part of the system. I am replacing all 8 systems and am out the money I spent on these. Hopefully you take my advice and save yourself the headache. Very Respectfully.

A:  I recall reading in the description that this control unit can accept one additional 50W panel.

A:  You cannot add additional 100 watt panels to this kit. For an expandable system, start with our GS-100-KIT system.

A:  On average, a 100 watt panel produces 300 watt-hours per day, and your load totals 240 Wh per day. However, in the US, you will see less production in the winter, and more in the summer. While it is unlikely that this would be enough panel power in the winter months, we'd need your zip code to be sure. Feel free to contact Grape Solar directly with that information for more accurate system sizing.

A:  That should work, 15w divided by 12 volts would be 1.25 amps for each light x 4 lights is 5 amps x 4 hours of operation is 20 amp hours. With 5 good sun hours average per day the 100w kit should produce about 35 amp hours per day, 100w divided by 14 volts x 5 hours. This should allow for the system not being 100 per cent efficient.

A:  Absolutely not. It is not currently feasible to run air conditioners, space heaters or pool pumps with off-grid solar. In general, you need 500 watts of panel power per hour of the day that a standard (1500 watt) heat/AC unit (or 1 HP pump ) is operating, in addition to the cost of charge controllers, batteries, cables, and an inverter.

A:  yes , but you are going to need a couple of deep cycle battery, electric heater take a lot of power

A:  That depend of how many battery you got

A:  No, you would probably need at least 400 watts of panel power to run that load year-round, depending on location. To properly size an off-grid system or battery backup system, we would need to know the following: 1. Your estimated daily power usage in watt (we need exact daily watt-hour numbers from customers because many standard appliances and devices have widely variable power consumptions). Energystar’s yearly kWh ratings for fridges and freezers are also helpful to have. 2. Maximum inverter wattage and voltage required – what is the most power, in watts, that the inverter will need to produce, and are you using any 220 volt appliances? 3. Location or zip code of where the panels will be mounted. 4. Months of the year that the system will be needed (winter, summer, year-round, etc.). Please note that battery-based solar requires 2 to 4 times as many panels for winter production.

A:  It is not currently feasible to run air conditioners, heaters or pool pumps with off-grid solar. In general, you need 500 watts of panel power per hour of the day that a standard (1500 watt) heat/AC unit (or 1 HP pump ) is operating, in addition to the cost of charge controllers, batteries, cables, and an inverter.

A:  The panel produces 12 volt DC 100 watts. Your heaters would have to be very small and I don't think one panel could produce enough power. You should call Grape customer service to help you with deciding how much power you want to produce.

A:  I'm not sure. I've had nothing but problems with grape solar products. I don't recommend their panels.

A:  Yes, solar controllers can be used along with AC-sourced chargers on the same battery bank. Note that if the AC charger is running, the solar controller will probably see the battery as "full" and will not send power at the same time.

A:  To properly size an off-grid system or battery backup system, we would need to know the following: 1. Your estimated daily power usage in watt (we need exact daily watt-hour numbers from customers because many standard appliances and devices have widely variable power consumptions). Energystar’s yearly kWh ratings for fridges and freezers are also helpful to have. 2. Maximum inverter wattage and voltage required – what is the most power, in watts, that the inverter will need to produce, and are you using any 220 volt appliances? 3. Location or zip code of where the panels will be mounted. 4. Months of the year that the system will be needed (winter, summer, year-round, etc.). Please note that battery-based solar requires 2 to 4 times as many panels for winter production.

A:  Yes!

A:  yes

A:  Probably not, the light wattage is too high. A single 100 watt panel would probably provide enough power to run that light for two or three hours per day in the winter, assuming ideal panel placement. Note that the battery must be deep cycle.