WindyNation 400 Watt Solar Panel Kit Review

The WindyNation 400 Watt Solar Panel Kit packs a lot of power and is perfect for the RV lover, boater, overlander or small cabin owner in search of a low maintenance, easy to install setup that comes with everything needed for a solar panel system that can provide some serious power.

The kit also provides a great starting point if you have an offgrid cabin and are looking for a starter system that you can grow over time.

WindyNation produces some of the most user-friendly solar panel kits on the market. Their systems are very versatile, allowing you to choose from a variety of optional accessories, batteries and mounting options. Additionally, the kit comes loaded with some great extras, so you can get started setting up your system right away.

Overview and Features 

This kit comes with four one-hundred-watt solar panels, deep cycle twelve-volt batteries complete with 2/0 AWG cables, solar panel mounting hardware, forty feet of UL listed twelve AWG solar cables and a thirty-amp charge controller. 

This system is designed for remote and back-up power use, and boat, RV, home, and cabin use. 

A note about polycrystalline solar panels

In terms of power, polycrystalline solar panels are decent, but they have high maintenance needs. Dirt, dust, and debris can affect how these panels absorb sunlight. This means you’ll need to wipe down these panels every two to three days in order to keep the system up and running. Even a fine film of dust can affect how efficiently the panels absorb sunlight. In windy conditions, or in high debris areas, such as the desert, these panels may need to be wiped down more frequently.

On cloudy days you can also expect this system to fall flat. This is the major drawback for any type of solar panel system that uses polyscrystalline panels.

Monocrystalline panels don’t have the same type of high maintenance needs, but systems that use them can easily cost twice the price of a polycrystalline system.

This is a large polyscrystalline system that provides a top of the line performance, just as long as they’re properly taken care of.

Charge Controller

The PWM solar charge controller features adjustable settings. The large LCD display screen will keep you up to date with system amperage, amp-hours, voltage, DC load draw, and temperature. Basically, it displays the crucial system information that you need to know in order to keep this system running smoothly. 

These panels provide an average of seventeen hundred watt-hours or one hundred and fifty-amp hours of charge daily. Of course, this will depend on sunlight exposure. 

Warranty

This set is covered by a five-year panel warranty, a twenty-five-year power output warranty, and a twelve-month warranty on all of the components in this set. This type of extensive warranty will give buyers confidence in this type of investment.

Customer Service

According to customer feedback, WindyNation’s customer support team is fast and responsive. They offer twenty-four hour troubleshooting help via email and telephone. If you have any complaints regarding the system’s performance or feel that your system is defective, contact customer support for repairs or replacements.

Power Needs

How many solar panels do I need? This is a common question and the answer heavily depends on your power needs. For an RV, this four-panel system should be adequate for moderate power needs. When maintained properly and in ideal weather conditions, this system can provide enough power to run one large major appliance and a few smaller electronic devices at the same time. 

The manufacturer also sells expansion kits, in the event you need more power. These kits typically contain one to two additional solar panels and the necessary connectors, cables, and hardware.

Performance 

These four one hundred-watt solar panels should be sufficient to recharge an RV’s batteries, in sunny conditions. For van, boat, truck or small cabin setups, the system is designed to recharge the 4 100 Ah AGM batteries. They panels’ rated optimal output is 1700 Watt Hours or 150 Ah or charge per day. This is in optimal conditions, and even light cloud cover will reduce output.

The included cables in this package carry power to the charge controller, which is located inside the RV. The cables run from the charge controller to the coach batteries. 

This set includes polycrystalline solar panels, as opposed to the more modern (and more expensive) monocrystalline solar panels like the ones you’ll find in the Go Power! Weekender SW Complete Solar and Inverter System.

The polycrystalline panels are more flexible and are often used to reduce the weight of a portable solar setup. However, these solar panels are not quite as energy efficient as monocrystalline panels. Another issue you’ll run into involves the performance of the panels on overcast days. There were many reports that the panel’s voltage power dropped below twelve percent on cloudy days. In fact, some people reported that the sun may still be out, but even the slightest hint of clouds can significantly affect the panel’s ability to absorb sunlight. This issue will obviously be a deal breaker for some.

The thirty-amp charge controller is perfect for this four-hundred-watt setup. The PMW charge controller works well in colder weather conditions and tends to transfer more power than the MPPT charge controller that you’ll find in smaller setups. 

If you’d like to check out more powerful solar panel system kits, click here to read our buyer’s guide, which includes five of the leading kits on the market. 

Fuses and Wires 

Inside the package you’ll find all the wires and fuses you’ll need to set up your new solar panel system in a boat, RV, van or cabin.

The included single contact electrical connectors are used on all solar panel systems. The forty-foot cable is used to connect the panels to the charge controller. The connectors are used to plug the controller into the panels. Wires are run from the charge controller to the four AGM batteries. 

System Assembly 

Since these panels are so large, they can be awkward to carry. Most pros recommend using a couple of piano hinges, which you can find at any hardware store and drill some holes through the aluminum panel frames to mount the hinges. This allows you to easily store the panels and then unfold them for use. During storage, you can use a type of nylon suitcase strap to keep them together. You can also mount a handle along the panel’s latch to keep them closed when not in use. 

Your next step will be to determine where the charge controller should be mounted. Since it isn’t weatherproof, it should be mounted in an enclosed area that’s safe from the elements. However, the controller should be easily accessible since the large digital display allows you to monitor the system. The ideal place is near other monitoring gauges or somewhere easily accessible. For RV, boat, van and other vehicle owners, the controller can be mounted in a storage bay or cavity, as opposed to tearing into interior walls. The key is finding a place where the controller is accessible while protected from the elements.

In order to avoid grounding issues, mount the charge controller to some PVC plastic board, then fasten the board to the inside of the storage bay. With the charge controller mounted here, you can attach the forty-foot cable to the connectors, then directly to the charge controller. 

The only thing left to do now is run the wires to hook up the system. Using connectors, run the wires to the vehicle or cabin’s batteries. Those using the AGM kit we’ve reviewed may isolate the 4 batteries or integrate them with an existing setup. Once this part is complete, plug in the panels to start powering up the electrical system. 

Pros

• Lightweight setup
• Easy to install
• Four-hundred watts of power
• Reasonably priced
• Nice to purchase a complete kit from one manufacturer

Cons 

• Panels do not absorb much light on even slightly overcast days
• Comes with polycrystalline panels which are not very powerful
• Depending on use, may need to purchase an inverter if one isn’t already available