BougeRV Paso 100W CIGS Portable Solar Panel - Foldable Solar Panel Power Charger with Carry Bag for Explorer Power Station,IP65 Water & Dustproof Design for Outdoor Camping Travel, or Backyard Use

Great quality item, looking forward to sunny weather.

Build quality seems good enough and the fact that CIGS charge better in low light/shade is a plus. But it was noon today, in full sun, that I realized that this will not charge beyond 13.1 volts. That might be OK on SLA or other such battery, but that won't work for lithium. I tried three different MPPT controllers and still couldn't get past 13.1 volts. I tried the same controllers on a rigid R*****y 100 watt panel and all three took the batteries to ~14.0. This one was returned just under the return date. I just wish I'd figured this out with the first one I bought that I'm not stuck with and can't use.

The media could not be loaded. I was blown away in my comparison wattage output test with the CIGS compared to a typical flexible solar panel. I figured the CIGS would outperform it, but I did not think it would be by this much. I got 46 watts on my flexible solar panel, and 89 watts on the CIGS, or almost double. I doubt I will ever purchase a typical flexible panel again with the remarkable output the CIGS produced. I have never had good luck with the flexible panels, and I have tried a few of them. I also did this test a few more times and got the same outcome. This was not a total wattage test due to the haze in the sky, just a comparison output test between two different panels under the same conditions.I do like these CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) solar panels. I put one of them on my RV roof a while back and I absolutely love it, it was absolutely perfect for my usage (see photo). It fit a void for a type of solar cell that did not exist before. In the 10 years of RV ownership, I have never had rooftop solar. I could not use glass panels because of the shape, height and makeup of my roof, and typical flexible panels just did not work well against the fiberglass for some reason.In my reviews I usually compare a folding solar suitcase with another to check efficiency but for the CIGs panel I do not think it is a perfect test because this is a new type of solar cell with its own pros and cons and might not be fairly compared directly with glass or the typical flexible solar panels with its own set of pros and cons. In my tests, I just place these directly on the ground and in another test, hung on the side of my RV.Basic info per manual:• 100 Watt panel• Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) = 19.1V• Max. Power Voltage (Vmp) = 15.5V• Folded Dimensions = 14.1” x 10.6” x 1.2”• Unfolded Dimensions = 52.5” x 42.4” x .06”• Weight = 4.9 poundsPros:• Very efficient compared to the typical flexible solar panel• Fills a void that other solar panels cannot provide• It is super lightweight at only 4.9 lbs.• Stronger than the typical flexible solar panel• Lasts much longer than the typical flexible solar panel• Fits in a smaller space (folded) than the than the typical solar panel• Uses the ubiquitous MC4 connector• Comes with a padded case w/pouch for cablesCons:• Uses more surface area than a typical flexible solar panel• It is harder to set up than the typical 2 section solar suitcase• Costs more than the typical solar panel• No extension cord or adaptors includedI have no information on long lasting durability of the CIGS panels. I also wonder just how good my flexible solar panel is due to the large difference in wattage output with this CIGS and it, I have 3 of them and the all work similarly, but possibly they are not the best? I will keep this review up to date if any new issues arise.

The media could not be loaded. This is around panel number 15 with Vine, I've honestly lost count, so I have seen a lot of 100 watt panels. In fact, I compare this panel to another folding panel that I thought was a good comparison. This comes with a nice case and the panel is very lightweight. It feels unlike any other solar panel I have tested. The size of this is big. Not counting the flap with the specs and MC4 plugs, it is 42" x 42". Compared to my other 100 watt folding panel, it is nearly double the size.Now the performance I cover a good bit in my video. I tested with a fairly solid cloud, broken clouds and trees and full sun. I got about 20 watts with the full cloud, 40-45 watts with broken clouds and trees, then lastly 85 watts in full sun. The more typical folder panel got 0 in the full cloud, 25-35 watts in the broken clouds and trees and lastly 75 watts in full sun. The CIGS panel was about 10 watts better in most circumstances and at times up to 20 watts better.That all sounds good. However, if you factor in size and cost, you could have bought a 2nd folding panel like the one also pictured in my photos, covered about the space surface area as the CIGS and been at about the same cost as the CIGS. Now you have 200 watts of panels and wire them in parallel and get more power in most circumstances. Just something to consider.Wires are good old MC4 so no issues with nearly any solar setup. Now the one big thing to pay attention to is the voltage this operates at, 19.1Voc and 15.1Vmp. That is about 3 volts less than your typical 12 volt solar panel. The main reason I bring that up is this would not be a good panel to parallel with a typical 12 volt one as you use the voltage of whatever the lowest panel is at. Now, wiring in series would be perfectly fine so long as your device can handle the higher voltage of the two panels added together. This might be in the weeds for some, but something to think about if you are going to wire this together with other panels.Durability is a hard one to tell as I haven't had it long enough, but it certainly feels durable and is without doubt more durable than the other panel pictured in my testing. This material feels easy to fold and storing the panel is simple.Overall, this is a good panel and performs well. I just have a hard time justifying the cost vs just buying a second typical panel if you want more watts coming in. If you have the money for them, they are nice for sure. If you are in clouds and trees a lot and blocking your sun, then I could see this being your best option still. Just have to really weigh those cost and benefits.PS if you are interested in my comparison 100 watt folding panel that I used in my testing, here is the amazon link for it.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V2V3V5F