Goal Zero Nomad 100 Solar Panel

2025-08-05T20:00:00

I have 2 nomad 100s paired together average you get about 80w from them never seen it above 110w not really worth it

Joe

Originally posted at

2025-04-16T20:00:00

These panels do not preform as advertised! I have had the panels in unobstructed sun with good air quality and perfectly positioned and I am unable to get more than 55w from these panels. I contacted goal zero several times, they told me I needed to reset my power bank or update the software and that would resolve the issue. After having done that I still experienced the same problem and they told me that 55w is an expected number as the rating is conducted in a lab and you would never see close to 100w in a real world application. I didn't see this information listed anywhere on their site. I am extremely unhappy and will never use goal zero again!

tater

Originally posted at

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

2024-10-07T20:00:00

I really wanted these panels to work. Great ideas, but when I put the panels out in direct sunlight I got no current to the charging device. Lights lit up like it was working but no juice going out of the usb plug or 8 mm plug.

Bobo45677

Originally posted at

2024-08-27T20:00:00

I have two 100W solar panels to compare, the yeti 100 watt nomad against another 100 watt no name brand and the cheaper 100 watt no name brand is pumping in 80 to 90 W into my yeti goal zero 1500 and the yeti 100 watt nomad at best pumps in 62 watts, so you get what you pay for .

Mr.B

Originally posted at

2024-07-01T20:00:00

During clear summer day, i was getting max input of 40 watts.

jacoozzi

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

2024-02-09T19:00:00

Easy to hook up straight out of the box, I will give them that. I am at sea level and charging a Yeti 500x on a fully sunny day in California. 100w Nomad panels, topping out at 55w (per the display on my Yeti 500x). I know, the other reviews told you and me about this already. I got curious, so I pulled out my multi meter. I checked the voltage (DC) at the 8mm output connection on the panels and got a reading of 20.65v, which is within the advertised range. Cool. I then checked the amperage with my multi meter set for DC and got a reading of 3.78 amps. Well you know, I am not an electrician or an electrical engineer or anything, but I am pretty sure 20.65v x 3.78 amps should equal approximately 78 watts. Seems dumb that if the panels can put out that kind of wattage, the manufacturer would want it to show up when you plug it into the "power station" of the same brand. Instead I only see 55w, which seems a bit low, even if there is some drop for the controller in the Yeti. Anyways, I attached pics with my multi meter display visible for reference. Just sucks for the price. But again, the other reviews told me so.

Mr M.

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

2022-11-08T19:00:00

Purchased this in 2020 in combo with the 500x. Had issues with the 500x, so this unit didn?t actually get used until 2021. Lasted the summer of 2021, pulling up to 90 watts! Wow! And then by end of summer in direct AZ sunlight, it only pulls 10. Depressing.

Sad c.

Originally posted at

2022-10-21T20:00:00

Rating this as one star b/c the fact is that it can't get 100 watts, so it shouldn't be priced and sold like that. Like others, I've tried it high elevation, no clouds, direct line to full sun - several times - and never seen it above 61.It's portable and convenient, yes. But again: if you pay for 100 W, that's what you should get.

PTB1

Originally posted at

2021-11-14T19:00:00

It has zero power to use anything more than a single lamp or TV. Can?t run a single tool with it.

Dan L.

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

2018-08-09T20:00:00

I brought this panel about 1.5 years ago, paid about 1300$ NZD for it through agent in Oz, at best in full sun I could only get about 40-45 watts out of it. Me being new to solar thought this is all you'll get from a 100 watt panel. About 5 months back I noticed I couldn't get anymore than 21 watts!! out of it in full sun. This was very expensive for me but I thought well I got a little nomad 7 which I've used a lot in all seasons, heavy rain etc, it looks rather tatty & warn but still goes just great. So I bit the bullet and paid the 1300$ NZD for goal zeros latest & greatest 100 watt panel thinking id get years of good reliable use out of it. Boy was I wrong!! The agents in Oz more than once contacted goal zero about my problem with the latest and greatest panel but they didn't reply. Okay it was about 6 months out of warranty but hay come on goal zero! 1300$ for a panel I don't even get 2 years of very limited use out of. I used to consider my self a bit of a GZ embassador out here in NZ telling people how good it was & was worth the extra $ I paid for it. I feel GZ have let me down. I've since paid 200$ for a 100 watt semi flexible panel which I'm consistently getting 70 watts out of.

Matt F.

Originally posted at