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goalzero solar panel kits

GoalZero Solar Panel Kit Reviews: Which One is Right for You?

Shopping for the best Goal Zero Solar Panel Kit?

You've come to the right place.


What's In This Guide

In this buying guide we recommend, review and compare the best Goal Zero Solar Panel Kits for a range of uses and applications.

We begin by listing our top picks for common needs and situations, followed by a quick product comparison table and in-depth reviews of our top picks.

Then, we provide you with a buying guide describing the key features & gotchas to look for when buying a Goal Zero Solar Panel Kit - plus other tips. 

Finally, we answer common questions asked about Goal Zero Solar Panel Kits.

Hopefully, this buying guide will help you find the best Goal Zero Solar Panel Kit for your specific needs and situation.

If you have any questions, leave us a comment below.

And you don't find what you are looking for in this guide, take a look at our reviews of the best solar generators from various brands. 

Note that most of the solar generators listed in these guides come without solar panels.


Who Needs A Goal Zero Solar Panel Kit?

A goal zero solar panel kit is suitable for anyone who wants to charge and power electronics using solar power. This includes; 

  • Campers. 
  • Homeowners looking to set up a power backup system.
  • Off-grid cabin dwellers.
  • RV and van owners.
  • Professionals working in remote areas.

What Does a Goal Zero Solar Kit Typically Include?

Most Goal Zero solar kits consist of two main components: solar panels (usually foldable solar panels) and energy storage (a power bank or one of the Yeti portable power stations). 

Because the portable power stations have a built-in charge controller, Goal Zero solar kits don't include a separate one. 

The only accessories included are cables and connectors. 


Best Goal Zero Solar Kits

  1. 1
    Best Personal Power Supply: Sherpa 100AC + Nomad 20
  2. 2
    Best for Devices & Gadgets: Yeti 200x Portable Power Station + Nomad 20
  3. 3
    Best Off-Grid Lighting Kit: Yeti 200x + Nomad 50 + Lights
  4. 4
    Best for Camping & RVs: Yeti 1500X Power Station + (1) Boulder 100
  5. 5
    Best For Off-Grid Work Sites: Yeti 3000X Power Station + (3) Nomad 200
  6. 6
    Best Portable Home Backup Power: Yeti 6000X Power Station + (2) Ranger 300 

goalzero solar panel kits
  • Sherpa 100AC + Nomad 20

  • Best personal

  • Solar output
    20W

  • Battery
    94.7Wh Li-ion

  • Inverter
    100W

  • Best for
    devices

  • Kit weight
    4.2lbs

goalzero solar panel kits
  • Yeti 200X + Nomad 20

  • Best for devices

  • Solar output
    20W

  • Battery
    187Wh Li-ion

  • Inverter
    120W

  • Best for
    devices & small appliances

  • Kit weight
    7.2lbs

goalzero solar panel kits
  • Yeti 200X + Nomad 50 + Lights

  • Best lighting kit

  • Solar output
    50W

  • Battery
    187Wh

  • Inverter
    120W

  • Best for
    Lights & devices

  • Kit weight
    11.8lbs

goalzero solar panel kits
  • Yeti 1500X + Boulder 100

  • Best for camping & RVs

  • Solar output
    100W

  • Battery
    1516Wh

  • Inverter
    2000W

  • Best for
    All electronics

  • Kit weight
    71.5lbs

goalzero solar panel kits
  • Yeti 3000X + 3 Nomad 200

  • Best for remote work sites

  • Solar output
    600W

  • Battery
    3032Wh

  • Inverter
    2000W

  • Best for
    All electronics

  • Kit weight
    135.7lbs

goalzero solar panel kits
  • Yeti 6000X + 2 Ranger 300

  • Best for home backup

  • Solar output
    600W

  • Battery
    6071WH

  • Inverter
    2000W

  • Best for
    All electronics

  • Kit weight
    184lbs


1. Best Personal Power Supply: Sherpa 100AC + Nomad 20

goalzero solar panel kits

Why We Like It

The Sherpa 100AC + Nomad 20 kit is perfect for powering your personal devices and gadgets when you are on the move. It’s great for hiking, road trips, airline travel, home backup and much more. 

Specifications

Solar output: 20W

Panel size: 11.5 x 21.75 x 0.75 in unfolded, 11.5 x 7.4 x 1.25 in folded

Battery: 94.7Wh Li-ion battery

Charge controller: None 

Max solar input: 50W

Outlets: USB-A, USB-C PD, AC, Wireless

Kit weight: 4.2lbs

What’s Included

Because this kit is designed for maximum portability, it comes with ultra-compact and lightweight components. 

The Nomad 20 solar panel is a foldable monocrystalline panel with a rated output of up to 20W. 

It charges the Sherpa 100AC power bank that has a built-in lithium ion battery. The battery has a capacity of 94.7Wh (6400mAh at 14.8V). 

Accessories include a sleeve for storing the power bank and four types of cables (micro USB, USB-C, USB-C to USB-C, and Lightning). 

Charging Options 

The most convenient way to charge the Sherpa 100AC when out and about is using the foldable solar panel. 

This is a low output solar panel, so it’ll take some time to recharge the power bank - about 7.5 to 15 hours. To reduce charging time, you can add an extra Nomad 20 solar panel since the power bank can handle up to 50W of input solar power.  

You can also charge the Sherpa 100AC quicker it via USB in 8-10 hours or from your car in just 3 hours. 

Outlets 

For such a compact power bank, the Sherpa 100AC has an impressive number of output options. 

Let’s start with the most surprising one - AC. Yes, there’s a 100W AC outlet on the Sherpa 100AC. 

Granted, it will not power most appliances, even small ones. It’s there for devices like laptops that use an AC adapter. 

For other devices, you have a selection of USB ports. They include two 60W USB-C PD ports and a USB-A port. 

There’s also a wireless charging pad for compatible devices, but it’s a bit slow at just 5W.

By the way, the Nomad 20 solar panel also has a couple of outputs if you want to charge your devices directly from the sun. It has a 5V USB port and a solar to 12V port.  

Portability

The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC and Nomad 20 combo is one of the most portable solar panel kits you’ll find. 

It’s great even for hikers. The entire kit weighs just 4.2lbs and can fit in a travel bag. 

Set up is super easy since there’s nothing to wire. Just unfold the solar panel and plug it into the power bank. 

Use the built-in kickstands to set up the solar panel. You can also hang it from your backpack, the side of a tent, or any suitable surface.  

Pros

  • Highly portable - small & lightweight.
  • Power bank can charge most devices.
  • Versatile output options. 
  • Three ways to charge the power bank. 

Cons

  • Solar charging is slow.

Bottom Line

The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC and Nomad 20 solar kit is a great choice for anyone looking for a highly portable solar kit to keep their devices and gadgets charged. 

Avoid it if you also want to power some appliances. You’ll need a kit with a bigger power station. 


2. Best for Devices & Gadgets: Yeti 200x Portable Power Station + Nomad 20

goalzero solar panel kits

Why We Like It

The bigger battery in the Yeti 200X means it can charge more devices without quickly running out of juice. 

If you go hiking or camping with multiple gadgets or you need enough power to charge everyone’s devices, the Yeti 200X and Nomad 20 kit is a good choice. 

We also think it’s handy for professionals such as photographers and drone operators who need portable power when outdoors.

Specifications

Solar output: 20W

Panel size: 11.5 x 21.75 x 0.75 in unfolded, 11.5 x 7.4 x 1.25 in folded

Battery: 187Wh Li-ion battery

Charge controller: MPPT

Max solar input: 100W

Outlets: USB-A, USB-C PD, AC, DC

Kit weight: 7.2lbs 

What’s Included?

Instead of a power bank, this kit comes with a proper power station complete with a built-in charge controller. 

The Yeti 200X features a lithium ion battery with a capacity of 187Wh. A built-in MPPT charge controller protects the battery and ensures the best charging speed. 

The kit comes with the same small 20W foldable solar panel included with the Sherpa 100AC power bank. 

Charging Options

The use of a monocrystalline solar panel and the built-in MPPT charge controller does help improve charging speed. But the Nomad 20 is still pretty slow at charging the Yeti 200X power station; it’ll take 11-22 hours (or about two days).

Luckily, the 200X can handle up to 100W of solar power. So you can link 5 Nomad 20 solar panels for faster charging. Alternatively, get this Yeti 200X + Boulder 100 kit. You’ll get the 100W of power you want in a more convenient and portable package.  

Other charging options include a wall outlet or your car’s 12V port (you’ll need to buy Goal Zero’s car charging cable). 

Outlets 

The Yeti 200X has a built-in inverter. So you can plug in devices and some small appliances like a mini fridge into the single 120W AC plug. 

There are two USB-A ports, an 18W USB-C port and a 60W USB-C PD port. 

As for DC, you get two outlets: a 12V 6mm port and a 12V car port. 

Portability

The Yeti 200X power station weighs just 5lbs. Add the 2.2lbs of the Nomad 20 and the entire kit is light enough for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. 

The solar panel is easy to set up thanks to the built-in kickstand. 

The only thing you’ll probably need to finish your setup is a long extension cable that lets you keep the power station inside the tent, cabin or vehicle while the solar panel is outside. 

Pros

  • Charges devices and small appliances.
  • Highly portable.
  • Expandable with additional solar panels.
  • Versatile outlets. 

Cons

  • Slow charging with the Nomad 20.

Bottom Line 

The Goal Zero Yeti 200X and Nomad 20 kit is a great choice for anyone looking for a highly portable solar kit that can charge multiple devices and power small appliances. 

Avoid it if you just want to charge just a few devices. Get the Sherpa 100AC and Nomad 20 kit instead. Also generally not suitable for appliances. Upgrade to the 500x or 1500x kit instead. 


3. Best Off-Grid Lighting Kit: Yeti 200x + Nomad 50 + Lights

goalzero solar panel kits

Why We Like It

The Goal Zero lighting kit supports an off-grid light setup and you can also charge your devices and gadgets. 

It’s great for camping, field work, and backyard lights.

Specifications

Solar output: 50W

Panel size: 17 x 53 x 1.5 in unfolded, 17 x 11.25 x 2.5 in folded

Battery: 187Wh Li-ion battery

Charge controller: MPPT

Max solar input: 100W

Outlets: USB-A, USB-C PD, AC, DC

Kit weight: 11.8lbs 

What’s Included?

This lighting kit includes a Goal Zero Yeti 200X power station, a Nomad 50 foldable solar panel, a set of four 110 lumen Light-A-Life LED lights, and a set of four 60 lumen Crush Light Chroma lights. 

The LED lights are perfect for overhead lighting while the Crush Light Chroma set illuminates tables and pathways.

Accessories in the kit include white and colored shades for the lights, carabiners to hang the LED lights, an AC charging cable for the Yeti 200X, and four micro USB cables to recharge the Crush Light Chromas. 

Lighting 

The Goal Zero Yeti 200X lighting kit provides an easy way to light up a campsite. 

The 187Wh battery in the 200X is not very big, but it’s more than enough to keep lights running for several nights. It can also support recharging devices like your smartphone or camera. 

And with the included Nomad 50 solar panel, you can keep the Yeti 200X charged. 

Let’s talk about the lights in this Goal Zero kit. There are two sets of light. 

The four mini LED lights are designed for overhead illumination. Each gives out 110 lumens of light and consumes 1.7W when on high and 0.5W at the low brightness setting. 

To power the lights, you plug one of them into the 6mm DC port on the 200X, then chain the others to the first light. This will power all the four lights. 

Use the collapsible white shades included to diffuse the light. You can also use the colored shades for a more colorful look. 

The other set of Crushed Lights are designed for use on a surface like a table or even on the ground. With a 60 lumen output, they light up a smaller area. The Crushed Light Chromas can light up in various colors, providing a nice party effect. 

Unlike the mini LEDs, the crushed lights have a built-in 1.85Wh battery that runs the light for 3 hours when on high, 6 hours on medium, and 35 hours on low. 

They also have a built-in mini solar panel that recharges the small battery in about 20 hours. During the day, leave the lights out in the sun to recharge. 

Alternatively, plug them into the USB ports on the 200X. Each takes 2.5 hours to fully recharge via USB. 

Note: If you wish, add your own lights in addition to the ones included. You can draw power via the 12V car port or the AC outlet on the 200X. Just make sure you run your numbers to check how long the power station can operate all those lights. 

Setup & Portability

The LEDs have carabiners attached to them, so you can hang them on a rope, tent, or tree. Then link chain them with the integrated cords and attach the provided shades. 

As for the Crushed Light Chromas, you can set them up wherever you want since they don't need to be plugged in or chained. Just remember to dim the light when you don't need a lot of illumination to prolong battery life. 

We’ve already mentioned before how easily portable the 200X is. It’s compact and lightweight. 

The Nomad 50 solar panel is also light and folds into a compact size.  

As for the lights, both the LEDs and Crushed Light Chromas have collapsible shades/diffusers, so they take up very little space. 

The entire kit weighs about 12lbs, light enough to carry by hand over short distances. 

However, it’s still a tad heavy for hikers. If you plan to do a lot of walking, we recommend the Venture 35 + Lighthouse 600 +Nomad 10 Kit. It weighs just 2.7lbs and includes a power bank (with built-in flashlight), a 600 lumen lantern, and a foldable solar panel.

Pros

  • Highly portable lighting kit.
  • Easy to set up.
  • Two sets of lights.
  • Can also charge devices.

Cons

  • Not suitable for hiking - it’s a bit too heavy for that.

Bottom Line

The Goal Zero 200X and Nomad 50 lighting kit is a great choice for campers looking for an easy to use, bright, and reliable lighting setup for their campsites, trucks, or RVs. 

Avoid it if you need an extra-lightweight lighting kit for hiking and charging your devices. Get the Venture 35 + Lighthouse 600 +Nomad 10 Kit instead. 


goalzero solar panel kits

Why We Like It

The Yeti 1500X and Boulder 100 kit is designed to meet all your power needs including charging gadgets and devices, and powering most appliances including bigger ones like a fridge or AC. 

If you go camping with appliances or would like a portable solar kit for your RV, this is a great choice. 

Specifications

Solar output: 100W

Panel size: 26.75 x 21.75 x 3.75 in folded, 26.75 x 43.5 x 1.75 in folded

Battery: 1516Wh Li-ion battery

Charge controller: MPPT

Max solar input: 600W

Outlets: USB-A, USB-C, USB-C PD, AC, DC

Kit weight: 71.5lbs 

What’s Included?

This kit includes one of the biggest power stations Goal Zero offers - the Yeti 1500X. 

With a 1516Wh lithium ion battery, the 1500X is a serious powerhouse, ideal for those who need plenty of power to run multiple electronics including appliances, devices, tools and lights among others.

The 1500X comes with an Expansion Module port, so you can expand your energy storage capacity even more if you need more power (requires the Yeti Link Expansion Module and Yeti Tank Expansion Battery.

To keep the 1500X charge, you also get one Boulder 100 briefcase solar panel. 

Accessories include a travel case and a 120W AC charger for the 1500X.  

Charging Options

The Boulder 100 has an output of 100W and recharges the lithium battery in 18-36 hours. 

If you want faster charging via solar, the 1500X accepts an input of up to 600W so you can chain up to 6 Boulder 100 solar panels to charge the power station in 3-6 hours. 

Goal Zero also offers the 1500X with 4 Boulder 100 solar panels and the connectors to chain them. 

If you are indoors, use the included 120W charger to recharge the 1500X from a wall outlet. It’ll take about 14 hours. 

The 1500X can also be charged from a vehicle’s 12V port, but you’ll need to buy a special charger from Goal Zero. 

Outlets

The 1500X has a built-in 2000W (3500W surge) inverter that feeds two AC outlets. The inverter supports most appliances including AC units, heaters, fridges, toasters, and more. 

For devices and gadgets, you get four USB ports: two USB-A, one USB-C, and one USB-C PD. 

DC options include a 6mm port, a 12V car port, and a 12V high power port.

Setup & Portability

The power station and the solar panel together weigh 71.5lbs. Even lifting it can be difficult. 

For that reason, we recommend setting it up in one location and leaving it there. That’s why it’s mostly ideal for RV and truck camping. You can set it up in the RV or truck and then only move the Boulder 100 solar panel. 

If you plan to move the power station around frequently, get the Yeti roll cart

Pros

  • High capacity power station.
  • Versatile outlet options.
  • Can be expanded with more batteries and solar panels.
  • Can power most electronics, including large appliances.

Cons

  • Very heavy.
  • The single solar panel is slow to charge the 1500X. You may need to buy additional solar panels.

Bottom Line 

The Goal Zero yeti 1500X and Boulder 100 kit is a great choice for RV owners and truck campers looking for a high-capacity solar kit that can power all their electronics. 

Avoid it if you are looking for a lightweight solar kit. 


5. Best For Off-Grid Work Sites: Yeti 3000X Power Station + (3) Nomad 200

goalzero solar panel kits

Why We Like It

The Yeti 3000X offers double the capacity of the 1500X, making it a great choice for remote and off-grid worksites that need a lot of power for tools, appliances, and gadgets. 

The three Nomad 200 solar panels produce enough power to charge the 3000X in just 6-12 hours. 

Specifications

Solar output: 600W

Panel size: 28.2 x 22.3 x 2.0 in folded, 28.2 x 100.7 x 1.0 in unfolded

Battery: 3032Wh Li-ion battery

Charge controller: MPPT

Max solar input: 600W

Outlets: USB-A, USB-C, USB-C PD, AC, DC

Kit weight: 135.7lbs

What’s Included?

This kit comes with Goal Zero’s second biggest power station - the 3000X with a built-in 3032Wh lithium ion battery. 

It’s big enough to power an entire RV, cabin, or remote worksite. You can even set it up at home to back up some of your circuits (using the Goal Zero integration kit) when there’s a power outage. 

The power station comes ready with a built-in MPPT charge controller and a 2000W pure sine wave inverter. 

With 3032Wh in capacity, you need a lot of solar power to keep the 3000X charged. The three foldable Nomad 200 solar panels provide a combined output of 600W and can charge the 3000X in 6-12 hours or about 1-2 days depending on sunshine.

Accessories provided along with the kit include a roll cart to hold and move the heavy power station, a combiner cable, a 30ft extension cable, two AC chargers (230W and 600W), and a car charger. 

Charging Options

If you are planning to use this kit off-grid, the three Nomad 200 solar panels should be enough to keep the 3000X charged up.  

While the 3000X can only take in 600W of solar power, you can exceed the 600W output the three solar panels provide. 

Adding more solar panels will increase charging performance in low light conditions and can reduce charging time. It’ll not damage the power station.

If you want the fastest charging, you’ll need access to a wall outlet. The 600W AC charger fills up the battery in just 6 hours. 

You can also charge the 3000X from your vehicle using the included car charger. 

Outlets

The Yeti 3000X has the same number and type of outlets as the 1500X. 

Two AC plugs that can handle a draw of up to 2000W (3500W surge), 2 USB-C ports (one of which is USB-C PD), two USB-A ports, a 6mm DC port, a 12V car port, and a 12V high power port. 

That should be sufficient to plug in a wide range of electronics including devices, power tools, appliances, scientific instruments, and lights. 

Setup & Portability

While the Yeti 6000X and Nomad 200 kit is, in a way, portable, it’s not designed to be moved around much. 

It’s very heavy with the power station and the solar panels weighing a combined 135.7lbs. 

It’s designed to be set up in place. But you can move it around over short distances with the included roll cart. 

Once you set it up inside, unfold the solar panels outside and chain them with the included combiner. Then run the included 30ft extension cable from the solar panels to the power station.       

By the way, the 3000X offers the option of remote monitoring via the Yeti app. You can monitor power consumption and control various ports from your phone. Check the user manual on how to set it up.

Pros

  • High storage capacity.
  • High output solar panels.
  • Versatile input & output ports.
  • Includes roll cart for easier mobility.
  • Remote monitoring via app. 

Cons

  • Pricey.
  • Very heavy.

Bottom Line

The Goal Zero Yeti 3000X and Nomad 200 kit is a good choice for remote work sites, cabins, or RVs that need to power many appliances, tools, lights, gadgets, and other electronics. It’s also a great kit for home backup. 

Avoid it if you need a lighter, more portable solar kit. 


6. Best Portable Home Backup Power: Yeti 6000X Power Station + (2) Ranger 300

goalzero solar panel kits

Why We Like It

The Yeti 6000X is the biggest power station Goal Zero offers, making it the best choice for home backup. 

With the included 600W worth of solar panels, you can ride out a days or weeks long power blackout while keeping essential appliances powered and devices charged. 

Specs

Solar output: 600W

Panel size: 30.6 x 26.3 x 3.8 in folded, 30.6 x 105.9 x 0.9 in unfolded

Battery: 6071Wh Li-ion battery

Charge controller: MPPT

Max solar input: 600W

Outlets: USB-A, USB-C, USB-C PD, AC, DC

Kit weight: 184lbs  

What’s Included

The Yeti 6000X included with this kit is absolutely massive. The 6071Wh lithium ion battery is one of the biggest we’ve seen in a solar generator. 

While it probably won’t power your entire home, it can be used as backup for essential appliances while also powering lights and recharging devices. 

The kit comes with a pair of Ranger 300 briefcase solar panels that provide a combined output of 600W. 

Accessories include a 600W wall charger, a 30ft extension cable, a combiner cable, a roll cart, and two travel cases for the solar panels.

Charging Options

The 600W output from the two Ranger solar panels takes 12-24 hours to recharge the Yeti 6000X. So it could take 2-3 days of sunshine to fully juice up the battery. 

As with the 3000X, you can add more solar panels to get 800W or 1200W of power. The Yeti 6000X will still take in only 600W, but you’ll get fast charging even in cloudy conditions. 

The 600W AC wall charger included in the kit charges the 6000X in a guaranteed 12 hours. 

Outlets

The Yeti 6000X has the same outlets as other large Yeti power stations. 

You get two AC outlets (2000W continuous, 3500W surge), four USB outlets (2 USB-A, USB-C, USB-C PD), and three DC ports (6mm, 12V car port, and a 12V high power port).

Setup & Portability

With a combined weight of 184lbs, this Goal Zero kit is not meant to be moved around a lot. Set it up somewhere in your home and only move the Ranger solar panels. 

The kit includes a roll cart for storing the power station and moving it over short distances. 

Setting up the kit is easy. Once you unfold the solar panels outside, chain them with the combiner and then connect the 30ft cable to the power station.

You can then plug in whatever appliances and electronics you want. 

An easier way to set up a home backup system is to get the Goal Zero integration kit.

It lets you connect the Yeti 6000X with your home power system through the breaker panel. 

You can connect the 6000X with up to four circuits. So you can choose which circuits are most essential to maintain during a blackout. For instance, light, the fridge, and some wall outlets. 

You can go a step further and expand your energy storage using the expansion module port on the Yeti 6000X.

It lets you connect additional lead acid batteries to the 6000X, providing 1.2Kwh of additional storage per battery. 

Here is a complete expansion kit with four lead acid batteries (4.8Kwh storage) and an expansion module.

It’ll bring your total storage capacity to 10.8Kwh, so you can power more stuff like the AC or a heater. 

Pros

  • Lots of power capacity with the option to expand.
  • High solar output, and you can add more.
  • Includes roll cart. 

Cons

  • Pricey.
  • Very heavy.

Bottom Line 

The Goal Zero Yeti 6000X and Ranger 300 solar kit is the best choice for homeowners looking for a portable backup kit that can power appliances and other electronics. 

Avoid it if you prefer a whole house backup system with solar panels on the roof and a high-capacity battery bank in your home. 

The Goal Zero kit is also not suitable if you want to set up a hybrid backup + grid-tied solar system. 


How To Choose The Best Goal Zero Solar Kit

goalzero solar panel kits

Here’s what to consider when choosing the best Goal Zero solar power kit for your needs. 

Battery Capacity 

The most important component of all Goal Zero kits is the power station. It’s the one that holds the battery, inverter, and all the inlets and outlets. 

Battery size matters the most as it determines how much power you have on hand, and thus what you can power and for how long. 

Excluding the power banks included with the smallest kits, Goal Zero offers storage capacities ranging from 187Wh (the Yeti 200X) to 6071Wh (the Yeti 6000X).

The ideal capacity depends on how much power you expect to consume. 

If it’s for camping, and you are planning to charge just a few devices, you can probably make do with the Sherpa 100AC power bank kit or the Yeti 200X power station kit. 

If you also have a few small appliances like CPAP, a fan, a dehumidifier and so on, the 500X kit is a better choice. 

For RVs, truck campers, cabins, and remote worksites with bigger appliances and more electronics, get a kit with a bigger power station like the 1500X or 3000X. 

For home backup, it depends on what you want to power when there’s a blackout.

If it’s just devices and maybe a couple of appliances, get the 1500X or 3000X kit. To back up most of your home electronics, get the Yeti 6000X kit. 

How To Calculate How Long You Can Power Appliances With a Goal Zero Power Station

Check the wattage written on the appliance. That’s the amount of power it consumes in an hour.

Divide the capacity of the power station with that figure to see how many hours you can run that particular appliance. 

Say you have a mini fridge rated at 100W. It consumes 100Wh every hour.

The Yeti 500X with about 500Wh in capacity will operate the fridge for 5 hours (500Wh/100Wh). 

But because batteries do not drain to 0% and there’ll be some inverter losses, the actual time will be slightly less than that. 

If you are powering multiple appliances, add up their hourly consumption and divide the battery’s capacity by that number.

For devices, find the battery’s capacity in Wh. Divide your power bank’s or power station’s capacity by the device’s battery capacity to determine how many times you can recharge it.   

For instance, iPhone 12 has a 10.78 Wh battery. You can recharge it with the Yeti 200X about 17 times (187Wh/10.78Wh). For multiple devices, add their total capacity. 

Solar Panel Output 

goalzero solar panel kits

The larger the power station, the more solar output you need. Otherwise, it could take days to recharge the power station. 

Make sure you select a kit that comes with adequate solar panels that can recharge the battery in under 24 hours of sunshine (1-2 actual days). 

Goal Zero provides recharge times in their specs using various solar panels, so you can see how much solar output you need to quickly charge a particular power station. 

Inverter

Check how much power draw the built-in inverter provides. If you plan to power small low-draw appliances like a fan, mini fridge or CPAP, the Yeti 200X (120W max output) or the Yeti 500X (300W max output) are ideal. 

For bigger appliances like a full size fridge, heater, or AC unit, get one of the bigger units (1500X-6000X). They all come with a 2000W inverter. 

Portability 

Finally, check the weight and size of the entire kit. 

If you plan to travel a lot with it, get a lightweight kit with a small foldable solar panel. Hiking requires an extra-light kit like the Sherpa 100AC and Nomad 20 kit. 

For camping, you can get something heavier but make sure you can carry it by hand over short distances. 

For truck camping, RVs, cabins, and home backup, portability is not important and you can get a heavy kit with a big battery and large solar panels. 


Frequently Asked Questions

What will a Goal Zero solar kit power?

It depends on the capacity of the power station and inverter. The smallest power stations can power appliances like a mini fridge and CPAP while the larger ones can power most household appliances.

How do you connect a solar panel to a Goal Zero power station?

Use the provided Goal Zero 8 mm solar cable to connect the solar panel to the power station. Make sure you plug the cable into the right input port. 

Can you chain multiple Goal Zero solar panels?

Yes you can, using a combiner cable (8mm to HPP) or an 8mm solar cable. 

Can you chain Goal Zero power stations?

No, Goal Zero power stations are not chainable. If you want to expand energy storage, get a Goal Zero Expansion Module and one or more of their 1.2 Kwh lead acid expansion batteries. 

About the Author David Roberts

I'm a Mechanical Engineer who's obsessed with solar energy and sustainable living.

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