Weather Conditions for the Go Power DuraLite Portable Solar Panel with Digital Solar Controller

Question:

I just ordered and received the 100 watt GP Duralite-100portable solar panel. It didnt even occur to me that an outdoor solar panel would not be weather resistant but that appears to be the case. If I change to the 32407 Goal Zero Boulder 100 Solar Panel - 100 Watts, # Item # 287-32407 is it truly weather resistant and now that the cables have been installed are they comparable both in the cabling and controller box?

asked by: Steve

Expert Reply:

On your Go Power DuraLite Portable Solar Panel with Digital Solar Controller - 100 Watt, # GP66FR, if you are referring to the listed statement in the quick start guide of "This kit IS NOT weatherproof" then yes, I definitely understand your concerns. Let me assure you that the panel is fine to be outside, the component within the the "kit" that prompts the statement is the included controller; it is not water proof. It is somewhat protected from light rain or overnight dew settling on it by being mounted under the panel but this is the nature of many portable kits.

I suggest your concern with this be focused on protecting it from a hard rain, an over night dew will not cause harm. If a hard rain comes in then pack up the kit, it is portable easily deployed and easily packed away. If you have rain coming in then you will not be harvesting any energy from the sun anyway so being deployed is of no value. Packing away or even placing a protective tarp/plastic over it until the rain passes is enough.

If however you are not using the included controller but are wired to an internal mounted controller instead, then you are good as the week point of the kit is not being used.

If you do prefer to change to the Goal Zero Boulder 100 Solar Panel, # 287-32408 that system uses a different connector, an 8 mm. These are different from that used on the Go Power DuraLite Portable Solar Panel with Digital Solar Controller, # GP66FR.

expert reply by: Michael R