Rich Solar vs Renogy vs NewPowa: Is There Any Difference?
There are lots of options at your disposal but which one is best. That is hard to determine as so many owners prefer different brands and they all say those options are the best. You may have to test them all to see who is telling the truth and who is not.
One would think there would be but one owner says his different brands seem like the same panel made at the same factory. However, there is a difference between the top brands and they all help you save money on energy costs
To learn more about these top solar panel brands, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can make an intelligent purchase decision. Take a few minutes to get the facts and see which one is best for you and your RV setup.
Are Renogy Products Good?
It was rated best overall on one comparison review and we found some owners that liked the products this company produced. Those panels seem to do as the company claims and those owners are quite satisfied with their results.
Also, it has been said that Renology technology is best for first-time solar users. The system comes ready for expansion and as you get used to using it, it is not hard to add more panels to get more power.
The drawbacks to this company include hard-to-understand instructions. This seems to be a growing trend as companies hire non-native speakers to write their instruction sheets or booklets.
A second drawback would be the fragile or flimsy nature of the controller. This is something that you would have to work out with the company as there may not be a fix for this issue.
Yet, these drawbacks do not outweigh the positive aspects which include having the materials made out of corrosion-resistant aluminum. Another positive is that the products from this company work well with RVs, boats, sheds, and cabins.
Rich Solar vs Renogy
To start, both companies use the monocrystalline solar panels but Rich Solar uses two 100-watt panels in parallel. Renogy only uses one. That means that in its briefcase portable model, Rich solar provides up to 200 watts of power compared to the 100 Renogy provides.
The latter can be expanded if you want so the advantage is slight here for Rich Solar. While the rich solar briefcase is made from metal with metal hinges for durability, there is no word on the type of metal used.
It could be aluminum or it could be steel. The briefcase design weighs almost 40 pounds so it is doubtful it is aluminum. The Renogy option is lighter in weight due to the fact it is made from corrosion-resistant aluminum. The panel is easy to carry as it only weighs 14.3 pounds.
Because the Rich Solar option is actually 2 panels joined together, their size is larger than the Renogy option. The former measures 55.7 x 36.6 x 1.4inch and the latter measures 42.4 X 20.0 X 1.38 in
They both have maximum operating power at 18.6 volts with Rich Solar’s product producing just over 10 Amps to Renogy’s 5.38 amps. Keep in mind that Rich Solar uses 2 100-watt panels to Renogy’s 1.
Your choice would depend on how much power you would need at the time. Both have important uses for different applications. You may not have the space for the Rich Solar briefcase and the Renogy’s smaller size may fit where the other can’t.
Rich Solar Reviews
One drawback that was noted by a reviewer was that this company does not seem to include a controller with its briefcase format. It is not known if the independent controller is waterproof or not because of this omission.
Also, the company seems to use tin wire over copper. That change did not sit well with another reviewer. Copper is much better than tin and this replacement may have to do with cost-cutting measures.
What makes some customers go with Rich Solar over Renogy is the customer service. The former is said to have excellent customer service while the latter is not even average.
Then it has been said that the Rich Solar lineup is very efficient. That capability charges the batteries faster giving you access to more power sooner than other brands.
Another reviewer used a gauge measuring Rich Solar’s performance in several categories. The scale went from 1 to 10 and this company’s products did not score below 8 in all of them.
They got a 10 for ease of use, 9s for compatibility, and value for your money. Then they got 8s for durability and portability. So far, we have not read anyone stating that this company’s products are junk and that you should stay away from them.
Who Makes NewPowa Solar Panels?
It seems that this company is an independent operation. We found no other business associated with it in any ownership capacity. The company was founded in 2014 and its head office is located in Ontario, California.
There is another office in Riverside, California. The company’s about us page provides phone numbers and hours of operation if you need to get a hold of them.
But these American locations do not guarantee that their panels are made in the US. The bad news is that they are not. The panels are made in China. But that is not the only country where they are made.
Vietnam and Mexico have been mentioned as other manufacturing countries for this company. These manufacturing locations do not influence the customer service provided by the company.
Owners have stated that this company provides excellent customer service and makes sure you are well taken care of. Of course, your experience may be different than that.
So far, only Renogy has been reviewed as having the worst customer service of all three companies reviewed here. You can check the company out by going to their website and talking to them directly. Don’t just take our word for it.
Where are NewPowa Solar Panels Made?
We do not know the exact company that makes their solar panels and we have checked many different sites. Their own website does not list the names of the companies involved in the manufacturing either.
The best we found out is that their panels are made in one of the following countries: China, Vietnam, & Mexico. The latter two are not for sure either. One reviewer did state that these panels are well made
Which is a bonus for those involved in the panel’s construction. We have read that Newpowa offers a 5-year warranty over its competitors’ 3-year options. Once you order your panels from this company, they should arrive in 2 to 9 days.
Also, they may work in cloudy conditions under certain circumstances but do not expect them to be as efficient as when the sun is out and the sky is clear. Then for safe operation, you do not need to put a fuse or breaker between the panel and the controller.
However, the company does suggest that you use either somewhere along the circuit after that point. The main maintenance you have to do is to clean it on a regular basis.
Check for rust and use an anti-rust treatment on the paint if you find any or want to make a pre-emptive strike.
Are NewPowa Solar Panels Any Good?
From the reviewers we have read, this company does make a good product. One went as far as to say that they were well made. That is saying a lot compared to what could be said about them.
The company does not seem to say which metal they use but if it rusts and needs rust protection, it is not made from aluminum or other rust-resistant metals. The weight of their panels comes in at 27 1/2 pounds and measures roughly 64.57 x 26.57 x 1.38 inches.
For efficiency, all that is said about this solar panel option is that it is rated as Class A High Efficiency. Its main competitors’ were all listed in the same category as being under 20%.
We are not sure how high in efficiency a company has to go to get that rating. One thing is for sure, Newpowa solar panels do not beat the competition for maximum operating voltage.
Their panels are listed at 17 volts while the competitors are all listed at over 20. However, the maximum operating current lists Newpowa panels at almost 12 amps while the competition is all listed under 10 amps.
Almost the same stats for the short circuit current with the NewPowa options listed at almost 13 and the competitors at 10 or under.
NewPowa vs Renogy
We have given you a lot of stats for NewPowa already and will try to do Renogy’s stats in the same order so you can make your comparison. For weight Renogy is close to NewPowa and comes in at 26 1/2 pounds.
The dimensions are almost the same with Renogy’s measuring 64.96 x 26.38 x 1.38 inches. As for efficiency, Renogy is listed at 18.1% and maximum operating voltage is listed at 22.6 volts, the highest among the top 4 competitors.
Then the Maximum Operating Current (Imp) is listed at 8.85 amps, the lowest of the 4 top competitors. The company’s short circuit current is also the lowest of the 4 compared. This company comes in at 9.66 amps.
But there is more to comparing companies than looking only at the stats. The word is that Renogy has a lot to learn in the customer service department. They do not seem to answer emails timely, if at all.
But some owners feel that Renogy makes the best panels. That is a subjective opinion and you should check out other websites and reviews before taking that opinion at face value.
The final comparison between the 2 companies will be the cost of the panels. NewPowa comes in first as their panels are about $74 cheaper than Renogy’s. If cost is an important factor to you then NewPowa is the best option for you.
Rich Solar Review
The warranties on all the components seem fair. They range from 1 year for parts and labor to 5 years for the same category. These warranties are for solar panels but have different construction and design.
The lower warranty period is for the flexible model. The company also has its panels made in China and has its head office in Montclair, California. When the panels are made, they are monocrystalline and come with a metal frame and a tempered glass front.
These panels are said to be very durable and that would be due to the metal frame construction. But watch out for rust as each panel is 12 pounds heavier than the other two companies involved in this review.
The maximum operating voltage is listed at 20.4 volts which seems quite high and their maximum operating current is at 9.80 amps. When it comes to price, they are the middle-of-the-road option. They are not the cheapest nor the most expensive. To buy their product you would pay $259.
From all that we have read, Rich Solar is a very good company that makes a very good product.
Some Final Words
When you are thinking of switching to solar panels, you have lots of options to choose between. This is a highly competitive industry and you can get some great solar panels and other products at affordable prices.
Do some more research to find the best company and design for you. Also, do it to find the best affordable price. Sometimes cheaper does not mean inferior or bad and that may be the way to go on this topic.
