Customer Reviews for Grape Solar 200-Watt Off-Grid Solar Panel Kit

Was shipped without connectors, contacted Home Depo and they wanted me to contact Grape Solar. Before I could do that, the friends I bought and installed this (as additional panels for expanding thier current Grape Solar system) messaged me with complaints. They are off grid and more than 100 miles from me. One of the controllers melted down and almost caused a fire. The property is immediately adjacent to Oregon State forest lands. Grape Solar advertises the kits to be expanded to 500w or 5 panels to a controller. They aren't. I put another controller on the circuit and watched over hours. Error code E08 if I recall correctly. The controller shut down due to over amperage with 5 panels. I seen 41-42 amps in peak sun in August. Grape Solar claimed they never have issues like that with thier controllers and wanted pictures, basically accused me of making a installation mistake. I've been installing 12 and 24v car stereo and solar for over 3 decades. The problem lies with thier 10 gauge wire supplied with the kits aren't rated for 40+ amps peak. NEC wiring states 8 gauge. The 10 gauge wire gets hot and melts. If you are not there watching the error code and promptly disconnect, the controllers overheat. We've had 3 or 4 controller failures out of 6 that we've purchased and installed.

Overall, I would buy this brand 100 more times. The construction of the panel is the highest level. I get the desired amount of amps and volts as I predicted and expected during full sun, and reasonable during shade. The cables are substantial, I do not know if they are copper or alum. but they are thick and long enough. The tech support answered their phones and knew what they were talking about. Remember, you are talking to Oregonians, they are sincere and respected, please be the same with them. (I had a general question about MPPT and PWM with the Poly panel kits.) Two things I would like. Cables on the panels in red and black, instead of all black. But for those who have not bought, the kits will not allow you to make a polarity mistake with the pre-made connections, just always always always verify with one you are putting into the controller, every time. Second, I have had to disconnect the remade connections several times, for upgrades, and the connectors are not friendly to old man arthritis fingers, just wishing it was a bit easier, as I can not pinch anything. That is it, these are awesome in my testing. Ordering a 3 panel kit today.

Solar panel system is just what I needed for my RV to keep batteries charged when boondocking . Easy plug and play . I really like the charge controller . Good info from it and a handy USB port on it . AWESOME!!

Love Home Depot's & Grape Solar customer service excellent responses easy-to-understand instructions! We have clean power! C&J Big Sand Creek Ranch

Came as ordered and was an easy install for a guy that had never done one. Seems to be working great no more dead batteries any longer or lack of evening power. Fridge runs all night with no issues. Installed the system on my RV.

Unit came without a solar panel. The cable was too short. What was supposed to come with "everything we needed" only came with a controller and a short cable. Although the paperwork with the unit said that the battery was not included, there was no mention of this fact in your product description. To make this usable would have required about another $500-600 in parts. Needless to say, it was sent back.

By all indications it appears to be what I’ll need for spring/summer/fall camping. Being the winter months now hasn’t been utilized yet but looking forward to using it

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

An excellent product with decent paperwork for the install. Works like a charm and the controller is well over rated so that I can expand my system threefold. The paperwork for the controller is minimal but Grape Solar has phone numbers available to contact them which I have yet to do. It was a great investment and I plan to expand in the very near future!

Replaced 16 Harbour Freight panels with two of the grape. Exceeded all expectation on performance

System works really well and comes with everything you need, I also ordered a battery and inverter

Added 200 w to 200w system so 400w total. So far working well. Was easy to add to existing system.

We are very happy with our Grape Solar purchase. Very easy to set questionup and very affordable. We might need to add more wattage in the future. If we do, we will purchase Grape Solar again.

This is a great starter system. Easy to install good instructions. I will be buying a few more of these (panels only) to augment my home power needs, so the instructions on how to expand were very helpful.

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

Very satisfied, can't wait to build my array

Its a perfect addition to my p30 step van with a mancave. Its pushes a 55in flat screen, Xbox, firestick, fridge and massive audio system 4 15z , 2 12z) I.just.may need 2 more panel's .

Great product. Very pleased with it so far. Have the trailer sitting in the hills right now for a week and will see how it does.

Great product for the money! Good quality and true to specs! Would definitely buy again!!

Very easy to install.

First, I am happy with the product and will reorder. Second, they told me to email them questions one day when I called, and have never answered those emails yet. And, the cables from the panels could be at least a foot longer. I am trying to parallel 4 together, and it is complicated and tight because the wire from the panel is relatively short. I am using all their own equiptment and charge controller. The length from the charge controller to the connects is reasonable, kind of, but the wire on the panel needs to be a foot longer.

Works real good with two 12 volt batteries

I'll be picking up 2 more sets for off-grid Cabins........ they work better than expected!

Rating provided by a verified purchaser

The panel's work however the controller did not work, I tossed it into the trash I was so disappointed I went online and bought a hundred amp controller I'm waiting for it to come in the mail

Terrific product!