This Cheaper Solar Panel Embarrassed the Competition

0:01 Hey [snorts] everyone, ZooPower's back with a brand new bifacial ultra-lightweight solar panel, but instead of it being 480 watts, this is a much smaller 230 watt version. Now, I just finished setting up the solar panel, it only takes a few seconds. This is actually a trifold design, so there

0:16 are three panels connected together with these hinges. Now, there is a handle to carry it around, and I love that this has the bumpers on the corner, so you don't get scratched by the aluminum. Now, this is utilizing the latest TopCon solar cells. It is bifacial. If we look around the back, you can see each one of

0:33 the panels also has its own kickstands. Now, I mentioned that this is an ultra-light solar panel. This only comes in at 12 lb, and if we compare that to a traditional folding solar panel like this Anker 200 watt version, this weighs 16 lb. Now, the Anker solar panel here also costs $100 more and is rated for less

0:50 power, and that's why I think these ZooPower solar panels are such a good deal. Now, here on the side of the solar panel, you have two MC4 connections for the output, and each one of the ZooPanels comes with a nice extension cable. What I love is it has all these adapters, so you get a Anderson

1:05 PowerPole, you get a 7909, you get an 8020, and you also get an XT60 and a 5521 barrel port. So, it has a ton of compatibility with different models of power stations. Now, briefly taking a look at the specifications for the 230 watt panel, the voltage open circuit is 23.2 volts, meaning this is going to be

1:23 compatible with your smaller power stations. The voltage max power is rated at 20 volts, and your current max power is rated at 11.5 amps. So, let's go ahead and move forward with testing the solar panel. As for the solar conditions today, we have very clear skies. It's mid-June, and it's around 75°, so I

1:41 couldn't ask for a better day to test out this solar panel. Now, the solar panel's been sitting out for about 20 minutes, so it is at peak temperature. I'm measuring the voltage open circuit. I'm seeing at 21.30 volts, so just a little bit under the rated specification. So, in this video, we'll

1:55 be testing with the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus. I've just plugged in the solar panel and you can see we're jumping from 220 watts to about 217 watts. So, we're almost seeing the full rated output from the solar panel. Now, I also wanted to test the voltage peak power, so I'm tapping into the wires using some MC4

2:12 parallel adapters. You see we are measuring right around 18 volts at peak output. And measuring the amperage with my clamp meter, I'm showing a little bit over 13 amps. Now, it's great to see 220 watts from the solar panel in full sun. But, as you guys know, these portable panels are excellent for camping or

2:29 overlanding and you're bound to get some shade on the solar panel during those situations. So, let's see what happens as we shade some of the panels. Are we going to lose all the power or are we going to just lose a portion of the power? So, for the partial shading test, I have this ladder set up right next to

2:43 the solar panel. Now, what's funny here is we're near summer solstice, which means the sun is almost vertical over top of us. And so, my ladder is basically casting this teeny little shadow on top of the solar panel. But, let's see how much power we lose. So, with the shadow on that first solar

2:58 panel, we've dropped down from 220 watts to 160 watts. But, we are still making a bit of power. So, let's try shading two panels just to see what happens. So, I've moved the ladder to now shade two of the solar panels. So, you can see I have the shade here on the first and second solar panels. The third panel

3:16 does not have any shade, so that is going to be our solar panel that's producing most of the power. The power from these two will be reduced significantly. So, with both of those panels shaded, you can see we're still getting 125 to 126 watts input. So, still decent power even though two of

3:32 the panels are shaded. Now, the main purpose of me doing that partial shading test is to see how these three panels are wired together because I've tested portable panels that are actually wired together in series, meaning if you shade any of the solar panels, you lose all of the output. But, after this test, we can

3:48 see that these three are wired together in parallel and provide excellent shading performance. Okay, so time for some bonus footage here. I showed the anchor 200 watt solar panel earlier in the video. So, why not test it out to see how it compares against the 230 watt panel. So, just as a reminder, this is

4:04 rated for 200 watts, does not use topcon solar cells, but it is brand new. Now, this is a quad fold design. So, instead of being a little bit taller, it is a wider solar panel cuz there are four panels. And then if we compare that against the 230 watt panel, you'll see this is a little bit more narrow because

4:22 there's three panels, but they are taller. Now, the other thing you'll notice that it's a little bit floppy. Got a little bit of a a bend in this solar panel even though it's only 75° today. And one of the panels actually droops a little bit because there's no kickstand on that third panel, which is kind of a

4:40 disappointment. This does have adjustable panels, so you can adjust the angle as you need, but I'd wish they have another kickstand right there. Let's go ahead and connect this into the power station see how much power we're getting from this solar panel. So, I've just plugged the solar panel into the

4:54 power station and if you look at the screen right here, we are showing 156 watts input. It's jumping around a little bit. But, I am kind of disappointed. I was hoping for at least 85 to 90%, but we're actually seeing under 80% of the rated output for this solar panel even in these really good

5:11 conditions today. So, pretty interesting results after comparing both of these solar panels. Now, we got 78% of the rated output on this solar panel and 95% of the rated output on that solar panel. And some people might complain and say, "Oh, you're comparing apples to oranges." Yes, this one is a newer solar

5:27 panel using topcon cells and it is bifacial, but this one costs $100 less. So, after testing both those solar panels side-by-side, you can see the Zoo power 230 watt panel comes out on top. Not only did it produce significantly more power, but it comes in at a better price. The anchor 200 watt solar panel

5:45 is priced at $399 or $2 per watt. This one right here is only priced at $279 or about $1.20 per watt. Not only that, but it comes with this really nice padded case. You also get the extension cable with all the different adapters on it, and it's a better design. I love this hybrid solar design with the

6:04 lightweight aluminum frame and the composite backer here. Being bifacial, you get more power output. Just a lot of really good things to say about this panel over the other options available. Now guys, thank you so much for checking out the video. It's good to see options like this that are available that beat

6:19 the larger brands. If you are interested in checking out this solar panel, I'll include a link to it down in the video description so you guys can learn more along with a discount code so you guys can save a little bit of cash on this solar panel. That'll do it for this video. Until next time, I'll see you

6:33 guys later.