500W+ Solar Panels

500W Solar Panel and Larger: Fewer Modules, More Output

A 500W solar panel changes the math of an array. Where a 200W-class module needs five mounts and five sets of connectors per kilowatt, a 550W or 590W module needs two. That means less racking, fewer roof penetrations, shorter wire runs and a cleaner layout, which is why the largest kits in this collection are built on them.

The collection holds seven listings from Sungold Power, Jackery and Rich Solar. There is a standalone 560W bifacial module kit from $980, a 500W folding panel for power stations at $799, and four complete off-grid or hybrid systems built on 550W and 590W panels from $11,248 to $24,950. The pallet-quantity Rich Solar MEGA 550 is sold out at the moment.

How to choose a 500W-class panel

• Rigid module or folding panel. A framed module bolts to a roof or ground mount and stays there. The Sungold Power 560W 48V Bifacial N-Type Solar Panels Kit is that type. The Jackery SolarSaga 500 X Portable Solar Panel folds, weighs 22.05 lb, is IP68 rated and plugs into Jackery power stations; it is the only portable option at this wattage.
• Bifacial gain. The Sungold 560W kit captures light on both faces and is rated for up to 30% more energy when the back is exposed, which favors ground mounts, carports and canopies over a flush roof install.
• Panel or complete system. If you are starting from nothing, a kit built on these modules avoids matching an inverter and battery yourself. The Sungold Power 10kW Off-Grid Kit with 12 x 550W panels pairs a 6,600W array with 32.14kWh of outdoor-rated PowerMax batteries and a 10,000W split-phase inverter.
• Array size versus inverter input. Sixteen 590W panels make 9,440W, which is what the Sungold Power 12kW Off-Grid Kit with 16 x 590W panels feeds into its inverter. Buying modules separately, confirm your inverter's PV input rating and voltage window before choosing a 600W solar panel string length.

Popular picks in this collection

Setup and usage tips

• Size the array before counting panels. The Solar Kit Calculator converts your appliance list and ZIP code into the watts of PV you need; divide by 550 or 590 to get a module count.
• Check roof dimensions. A 500W-class module is physically large. Measure the usable roof plane and the path from the driveway before ordering a 500W solar panel kit.
• Leave the back open on bifacial panels. Mount the 560W kit at least a foot above a light-colored surface; a black flush roof gives almost none of the bifacial bonus.
• Plan for two people on install day. Modules this size are awkward on a ladder, and the 24kW kit ships 31 of them.
• For the SolarSaga 500 X, use the native Jackery cable and unfold it fully; a half-open folding panel loses more than half its rating.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 500W solar panel system enough for a house? One panel is not; a system built on them is. The 10kW kit's twelve 550W modules produce enough on a sunny day to run a mid-size home and refill its 32.14kWh battery, and the 24kW kit with 31 x 590W panels is sized for a large home.

Can I add a 560W bifacial panel to my existing array? Only on its own string or MPPT input. Mixing it with 300W-class panels in series limits the string to the smaller panel's current, so the extra watts are wasted.

Why buy the 500 X instead of two 200W folders? One cable, one setup, and 500W of input for stations that can accept it. If your station's solar input tops out below 500W, the smaller panels make more sense.

Panels and kits ship free to the mainland US from brand partner warehouses, usually within a few business days, with 30-day returns. Call us if you need help matching a 500W-class string to your inverter.