ECO-WORTHY 200 Watts 12 Volt/24 Volt Solar Panel Kit with High Efficiency Monocrystalline Solar Panel and 30A PWM Charge Controller for RV, Camper, Vehicle, Caravan and Other Off Grid Applications

Overview

Solar kits at this size live or die on practicality: do they go together without drama, and do they make the watt-hours they promise? After several weeks using the ECO-WORTHY 200W kit on an RV and a small shed system, I found it checks the right boxes for a budget-friendly starter setup. It’s not feature-laden, and it makes no attempt to disguise the fact that it uses a simple PWM charge controller, but the panels are solid, the included wiring is sensible, and the whole system delivers dependable daily energy for lights, fans, pumps, and device charging.

What’s in the box and build quality

The kit includes two 100W monocrystalline panels, a 30A PWM charge controller, two sets of Z-mount brackets, a pair of 16.4 ft 10 AWG solar leads with MC4 connectors, a pair of 2-in-1 MC4 branch connectors, and a short battery “tray” cable. The panels themselves are the highlight: rigid frames, tidy lamination, and clean junction boxes with gaskets and strain relief. The MC4 leads locked with a positive snap and stayed weather-tight in a couple of rainstorms. The frames are the typical corrosion-resistant aluminum and feel stout for their size (roughly 35 x 23 inches).

The Z brackets are functional but basic. They’ll get you mounted, but the standoffs are shallow, which makes rooftop cable management and airflow more tedious. Edges on the brackets are a bit sharp, so gloves help during install. Hardware is geared toward metal surfaces; if you’re mounting on RV TPO/EPDM or wood, plan to bring your own stainless bolts, washers, butyl tape, and sealant.

The controller is a no-frills 30A PWM unit with a small LCD, a pair of USB ports, and a DC load output with low-voltage disconnect. The UI is simple enough once you poke through the icons, and voltage readings tracked within about 0.1V of my calibrated meter.

Installation experience

From box to producing power, this kit is straightforward. The panels are pre-drilled, and the included MC4 harnesses make parallel wiring idiot-proof. For a 12V battery system, I wired the panels in parallel using the included Y-branch connectors; that keeps array voltage in the safe range for the PWM controller and maximizes current to the battery. If you’re building a 24V system, the kit supports series wiring, but with PWM you gain little by raising array voltage.

A few practical notes:

• Mounting: I swapped the included screws for stainless hardware and used butyl tape plus sealant for the roof penetrations. A cable gland for the pass-through makes life easier and keeps water out. The shallow Z brackets work, but a taller L-foot or tilt mount would improve airflow under the panels and make cable routing cleaner.

• Wire runs: The included 10 AWG solar cable (about 16.4 ft) is adequate for typical RV roof runs. If you need to go longer than ~20 ft from array to controller, consider 8 AWG to keep voltage drop in check. The battery tray cable is just under 5 ft; plan to mount the controller close to the battery.

• Protection and order of operations: Add a fuse or breaker between the controller and battery (sized to the controller’s max current), and an inline fuse on the positive PV lead. Always connect the battery to the controller first, then the panels; reverse the order when disconnecting.

Once installed, the system came alive immediately. The controller’s quick status icons are basic but helpful, and the USB ports proved handy for a flashlight and phone in a pinch.

Performance and real-world output

Paired with a 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 battery and a shunt for logging, I saw midday clear-sky charge currents between 8.5 and 10A into the battery, translating to roughly 120–150W net. Edge-of-cloud events produced brief spikes to around 170W. On a hazy afternoon, output hovered between 30 and 60W. Over several sunny spring days, daily harvest landed in the 650–850 Wh range, which aligns with the kit’s “about 800 Wh/day under 4 hours of full sun” expectation.

That energy is enough to comfortably power an RV’s 12V loads—vent fan, water pump, LED lighting, and device charging—while still putting a decent dent in battery recharge. With a 1000W inverter, I ran a small shop vac for a short test; the panels don’t power it directly, of course, but they replenished the battery afterward over the course of the afternoon. If you’re hoping to run a residential fridge or air conditioner, you’ll need more panel area and more battery than this kit alone provides.

Temperature, tilt, season, and site conditions matter. The monocrystalline modules did fine in cooler weather; in heat, expect output to drop modestly. Mounting flat on an RV roof sacrifices some production versus aiming the panels, but the convenience trade-off is usually worth it.

The controller: limitations and best use

The 30A PWM controller is as simple as they come, and that’s both its strength and limitation. It’s easy to wire and configure, but it doesn’t squeeze every watt from the panels the way an MPPT controller can—especially in cool weather or with higher battery voltages. If you’re staying at 12V and keeping array size modest, PWM is acceptable and cost-effective.

Settings cover lead-acid chemistries out of the box, and there’s enough range to set LiFePO4 bulk/float voltages manually. The DC load terminals support low-voltage disconnect for small lighting circuits, but I prefer wiring critical loads directly to the battery bus with proper fusing, leaving the controller to focus on charging. The USB ports are convenient for 5V accessories, but they’re not high-speed.

Expandability and system design notes

“Can I add more panels?” Up to a point. On a 12V system, a 30A controller typically tops out around 360W of panel capacity with PWM (and even then, you’ll rarely see 30A sustained). Practically, adding another 100–200W is feasible if you watch the controller’s current limit. For larger expansions—or if you want to wire panels in series for better voltage on long runs—upgrade to a 40A+ MPPT controller and consider upsizing wire. At that stage, the ECO-WORTHY panels themselves remain a good building block.

Durability

Windy days didn’t faze the panels, and the frames didn’t flex uncomfortably during install. The junction boxes are rated IP65 and stayed dry in heavy rain. While I didn’t load-test to the 2400 Pa wind and 5400 Pa snow specs, the construction inspires confidence for RV and shed duty. As always, longevity depends as much on mounting and sealing choices as on the panels.

What I’d change

• Taller or adjustable mounts for better airflow and cable clearance
• More versatile hardware (not just for metal roofs)
• A longer, fused battery cable in the box
• Clearer documentation on the controller’s load output limits
• An MPPT controller option for a modest price bump

Who it’s for

• RV and van owners who want reliable battery maintenance and modest daily energy
• Off-grid sheds, cabins, and tool trailers needing lights, fans, and device charging
• DIYers building a small solar generator who value simplicity and clear value

Who should look elsewhere: users chasing maximum efficiency, app-based monitoring, or marine-grade hardware; and anyone planning to power heavy AC loads routinely.

Recommendation

I recommend the ECO-WORTHY 200W kit for budget-conscious beginners and practical DIYers who need a straightforward, dependable way to keep a 12V system charged. The panels are the star—well-made and consistent—and the included wiring gets you running quickly. The PWM controller is basic but serviceable, and the kit as a whole delivers the expected 600–800 Wh on good days without fuss. Plan on adding proper fuses, a cable gland, and some upgraded mounting hardware, and consider an MPPT controller if you expand. Taken as a foundation for small off-grid power, it’s a solid buy.