Goal Zero Nomad 100 Solar Panel

2024-12-15T19:00:00

I'm happy to be able to pair this with my other Nomad 100

Mike740

Originally posted at

2024-11-14T19:00:00

I've been using Goal Zero equipment for many years, and the equipment has always been of the highest quality & performance. However, I felt obliged to comment on the several reviews that reported lower than expected power output. There are typically two things to blame for low output: 1: Solar panel damage or geometry, 2: Battery state-of-charge, and 3: Insufficient cable size. 1. Solar panel damage and orientation... doesn't seem to be an issue with the review cases. Well documented conditions and sky exposure. Just make sure that no part of the panel is shaded of course. 2. Battery SOC : As a battery fills, especially Lithium, the charging system will taper-off to protect the battery. Battery management systems and chargers will differ slightly, but generally it will put as much current into the battery as it can until the battery is nearing 85-90% capacity. The charger will then change modes so that the charging current declines as the voltage rises through the last 10-15%. This is why you might see a battery get from 30%-80% in an hour, but then will take another hour or more to get to 95%. So, don't blame the solar panel... blame the MPPT charger and the BMS for taking care of your battery. 3. Cabling : This is something that Goal Zero should improve. If you use a 4x1 APP Combining input cable at the solar panel location, you will be trying to carry as much as 40A (200W Nomads) on a wire that is much too small. I believe the largest HPP cable is #14AWG which has an ampacity of 15A. Your energy losses in the 30' cable due to this mismatch would be over 40% in the case of 4x200W Nomads, and approx 20% if you have 4x100W Nomads, and 10% if you only have a couple of panels on the line. Better to run all the solar panels back to the Yeti and then combine. But even then, you will see 5% losses for a single 100W Nomad running over 30' on #14AWG wire (2.5% over 15'). Since Goal Zero doesn't make heavier-duty cables, if you need to go further than 15' with 100W or more of solar, you need to have cables built for you. For reference, 5% is generally the maximum acceptable loss for non-essential loads. Hope this helps!

MOE K.

Originally posted at

2024-10-29T20:00:00

It's good, while hunting I would set it up in the morning facing south and get back and my Yeti 500 would be at 30% and it would charge to 90%. Even in blue sky high elevation Colorado input was in 70s add extension cord and would drop to 60s

Apneic h.

Originally posted at

2024-10-16T20:00:00

I bought a Nomad 100 and a Nomad 50 to tested the versatility of the solar panels in comparison with the Boulder 100 and 50 Briefcase panels. I am in Central Florida and the day of the test we have a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the lower 70s. Both 100 panels provided an average of 65 to 70 watts input. When connecting the Nomad 100 and 50 using a 4 x 8 Anderson Connector the input reached and averaged of 85 watts while connecting the panels on line provided an averaged of 60 watts. In conclusion, will be naive to believe that the advertised number for watts will produce that amount. That number only gives you the maximum capacity/capability of the panel. In optimal conditions you may get 75% of that capacity as an average. I am pleased with both panels system since I use the Boulder while at home or car camping while the Nomad is better for camping and while car traveling to the beach/picnic, sport events, or fairgrounds. Both systems can be combined with each other.

Paco

Originally posted at

2024-04-13T20:00:00

I bought this to recharge my GoalZero battery. It charged exactly as advertised! Quite happy!

Canoe4U

Originally posted at

2024-02-06T19:00:00

Convenient enough for car camping. Fully charges a Yeti 200 in less than a full day of winter sun. I needed an adapter to run it (8 mm connector) chained to my hi power panels, but then I can get even more power to my home battery, Pricier than the Boulder 100, but you pay for lightweight and convenience, I guess. Open box is a great deal

That h.

Originally posted at

2024-02-06T19:00:00

Convenient enough for car camping. Fully charges a Yeti 200 in less than a full day of winter sun. I needed an adapter to run it (8 mm connector) chained to my hi power panels, but then I can get even more power to my home battery, Pricier than the Boulder 100, but you pay for lightweight and convenience, I guess. Open box is a great deal

Eclipse b.

Originally posted at

2023-09-05T20:00:00

I got the open box for the big price cut and since it's a solar panel so long as it isn't scratched up or cracked it'll be good. It was worth the money for sure. I know I can trust goal zero not to sale me junk of beat up gear.

hogg1967

Originally posted at

2023-07-03T20:00:00

I have been using Goal Zero products for years as backup at home and for camping. Will be using this with my Yeti 400 for camping. Excellent quality and durability. Will definitely continue to use Goal Zero products in the future.

DD78

Originally posted at

2023-05-23T20:00:00

So far it has been helpful charging my unit even when it's cloudy during the day

Migue2023

Originally posted at

2021-11-14T19:00:00

Excellent product works well when camping. A little heavy though. Better when using a car to get on site

Colin T.

Originally posted at

2021-11-07T19:00:00

Good design and build. Easy to connect, use, employ, etc. Charging performance is very sensitive to strength and direction of sunlight; it's difficult to understand how sensitive until you use it in the field. Plan on coordinating where you camp and park around access to open sky (which might change from thinking about parking and camping in terms of shade/temperature for comfort in the summer months.

Nick W.

Originally posted at

2021-11-06T20:00:00

Works great with my 1000! In full sun this panel is awesome

Rambler

Originally posted at

2021-11-05T20:00:00

Portability is the key - Fits easily inside of most small aircraft & stores away nicely when not in use.

SurvivalFringe

Originally posted at

2021-11-05T20:00:00

I have several of the Nomad 100 portable panels, and they all work well. I have several of the power stations to go with the panels and everything works as expected. I really like the Goal Zero products and will continue to buy from them.

Medic95348

Originally posted at

2021-11-04T20:00:00

It works well with the batteries. Nice setup with cord, too.

Pete S.

Originally posted at

2021-11-04T20:00:00

It works great easy to use stores great in my van. Very happy with this and 500x

tanka

Originally posted at

2021-11-04T20:00:00

Works great with my jackery 290. Very easy to use.

Juliejo67

Originally posted at

2021-11-04T20:00:00

Heavy but works well to charge my Yeti. Wish it had a handle for carrying or hanging during use.

Patrick4

Originally posted at

2020-09-03T20:00:00

First day I got this panel I took it out of the box an almost ripped it out of the delivery mans hands. I put this panel in the sun the second it came out of the box an put it to work on my 500X. I got about roughly 30 watts from this panel that was cooped up in a COLD box. After several hours of baking in the sun an actually doing what it was meant to do I seen the sun got it up to 45 - 50 watts. Then the worst thing happened absolutely the worst thing ever!!!!!! That sun went down!!!! The best thing for any solar panel is keep them "warm" or "hot" meaning get them in the sun an let the sun pound it's "heat" in there so you get the maximum output. Even if the panel is not hooked up to anything at all get them in the sun although it's better without a doubt to have them hooked up to something but if you have no other choice just get them in the sun. I have this panel up to 60 + watts now an will continue to let the sun pound it's energy into this panel. Your the best Goal Zero!!!! Thank you!!!

Outside G.

Originally posted at

2020-08-24T20:00:00

The 2 packages arrived and the battery unit needed charging. Opened the panel inside my south facing window. The blue light on the panel lit up but nothing happened when I plugged it into the unit. So I found the wall plug and used that and it charged the unit. Then I called support to ask about the solar panel and was told the light on the panel was not important and it needed to be placed in direct sunlight. However since it was fully charged I put it away 9 months until needed. It needed charging, so I connected the solar panel and put it in direct sunlight. Once again it did not charge the unit. And the unit would not hold any charge over 60%, (When plugged into the wait and self discharges. Support offered me a Yeti 3000 at a deal price. I like the practice specs but they need to work out the kinks in quality control. Also the unit box says ?Lithium? but from the weight it seems to contain regular lead acid batteries.

Bobb2

Originally posted at

2017-10-06T20:00:00

This is a nice flexible product, but as various people have said, the power output is well below 100W. At 10,000 ft I briefly managed to get 62W. At 4000 ft, in the desert the maximum was 53W. If you constantly turn it towards the sun, on a clear day you can count on around 50W.

UtahTab

Originally posted at

2017-07-09T20:00:00

I will echo some of other reviews of this product. We had a day in the mountains, 7000 Ft, bright, cloudless summer day. Perfect, high intensity sun. The panel had excellent solar exposure - but - only produced 25-28 Watts of input into our Yeti 400. The panel does work well with GoalZero products. GoalZero has designed a nice set of compatible products. However, you need to plan on only 25-30% of the advertised efficiency. I will keep and use the product, but, it is hard to recommend it to the public based on this experience and the price they are asking. Perhaps their "fixed" solar panel work better. Perhaps this is no different than all other solar panel products -- I cannot tell at this point.

cowpens6

Originally posted at

2017-05-02T20:00:00

I purchased this thinking I would get close to 100w output. Only 47w max in full sunlight. I wish I was getting 65-75% like the goal zero article states.

CarlJr

Originally posted at

2016-06-23T20:00:00

The Nomad100 packed easily in the back of the car. It is easy to set up and connect to the Yeti and as we have had full sun when I needed to use it, I was able to keep the Yeti at full charge for 7 hours. The Nomad was delivering 52WH and the device plugged into the Yeti was drawing that amount. It is a great, if a bit pricy, option for a generator and necessary since many of the outdoor events I go to have started to ban fuel operated generators. Everyone at the last show thought this was brilliant.

Buhund

Originally posted at

2016-06-16T20:00:00

I purchased a Yeti 400 and the Nomad 100 solar panel. This was for a 4 day camping trip on beach. The first night the battery was fully charged and was running a 12v box fan. The next morning the battery was at 40%. In direct all day sunlight the best input charge I got was between 35-40 watts. This took all day to charge up. I have tried with and without the extension cord. With a battery more than half drained I would expect more watts going into this unit. The same recharge wattage was experienced everyday. It took much more than the 6-8 hours recharge time like the chart advertised. Also I was expecting a more heavy duty connection cord for the battery to the solar panel.

LB31829

Originally posted at

2016-05-17T20:00:00

I bought this when It first came out I have yet to use it but for all the oomph its supposed to push I expect it to be worth it since I could have bought 5 Nomad 20's to measure this but I would have spent 1000 $. I been kicking myself thinking I should have spent 2 to 400$ on a flat rigid panel that would have done the same but would have been FAR less portable and FAR less easy to use. So I figure like paying for an Apple product I paid for the fit and functionality.. After comparing what it would have cost me with 5 Nomad 20's I'm now OK with the price for this.. I do wish it were cheaper down in the 600$ range would have been WAY better for me but Eh I'm ok now

ArchAngel72

Originally posted at

2016-02-10T19:00:00

I use this panel on my sailboat with a Yeti 400. It is a perfect match for my needs -- portability and big panel capacity. The product is well engineered for the harsh environment in which I operate offshore and the output is remarkable. A bit on the expensive side but worth it for the portability, capacity and superb engineering. Well done GZ.

Water M.

Originally posted at

2016-02-08T19:00:00

I purchased this panel, as well as the Yeti 400, at my local COSTCO at a significant discount - both items about $100 off retail price. The cord connecting to the Yeti is short as some have noted, but the sale included a free extension cord which GOALZERO promptly mailed out to me. As for performance, in full slanted February sun from the San Francisco area, the panel was charging my 400 at 72 watts. The generator was down to about 60% and recharged fully in about 4 hours. I tried to charge with the panel indoors at a window and got very little input. As a newbie to solar energy I would urge the company in include more written information with the panel about alternative uses -- linkages to other panels or devices. All in all, I am satisfied with the panel's performance and glad about the COSTCO discounts.

JimC

Originally posted at

2016-01-05T19:00:00

WORK OK QUITE PORTABLE FOR SIZE BUT VERY COSTLY WHEN YOU ADD LOCAL TAX YOU COULD BUY A THE ENTIRE USA

RONN

Originally posted at