Rigid Solar Panels

Rigid Solar Panels: Glass-and-Aluminum Modules From 50W to 560W

Rigid solar panels are the glass-fronted, aluminum-framed modules that go on a roof rack, a ground mount or a boat hardtop and stay there for decades. Compared with folding or flexible panels they cost less per watt, run cooler because air passes behind them, and bolt to standard rails. The trade-off is weight and a flat mounting surface, so they suit permanent installs rather than campsite charging.

This collection holds 23 panels and panel kits from Rich Solar, Sungold Power and Anker. Prices start from $69 for a 50W Rich Solar module and reach about $1,000 for a two-panel Anker SOLIX 440W set. Sungold Power multi-panel kits sit between $165 and $980.

How to choose rigid solar panels

• Wattage per panel. Small 12V systems use 50W to 250W modules; home and cabin arrays use 400W and up. A SUNGOLD POWER 440W Mono Black N-Type Solar Panel is a typical 400w rigid solar panel class module for a hybrid inverter, sold in quantities up to 31 panels with a 30-year linear power warranty. The 2 x Anker SOLIX 440W Rigid Solar Panel Set gives an 820W array at up to 25% efficiency for an Anker station.
• Nominal voltage. 12V panels like the RICH SOLAR MEGA 100W 12V Rigid Panel pair with a van's charge controller. 24V and 48V kits from Sungold Power, such as the 415W 48V Mono Black PERC Solar Panels Kit, are meant for 48V battery inverters. Match the panel's voltage class to the controller or inverter input.
• Cell type. The collection mixes PERC, N-Type and bifacial cells. The Sungold Power 560W 48V Bifacial N-Type Kit captures reflected light from the back, which the brand rates at up to 30% more energy on ground mounts and carports where the rear is exposed.
• Weight and footprint. Lightweight rigid solar panels matter on RV roofs with weight limits; the MEGA 100 SLIM weighs 12.4 lb and is 15.7 inches wide. Marine rigid solar panels want an IP67 or better rating, which the MEGA 100 carries.

Popular picks in this collection

Setup and usage tips

• Use the Solar Kit Calculator to get the array wattage first, then divide by panel size to find how many modules and how much roof or ground space you need.
• Check the inverter's maximum PV input voltage before wiring panels in series. High-wattage 24V-class modules add up quickly in a string.
• Leave an air gap under roof-mounted panels. Rigid modules produce more when air moves behind them, which is one reason they outperform flexible panels on the same roof.
• On a boat, budget for corrosion. Look for IP-rated junction boxes and connectors, such as the IP68 fittings on the Sungold Power 440W.
• Buy full sets, not one panel at a time. The Sungold Power kits and the Anker two-pack are priced per set, and mixing panel models in one string reduces output.

Frequently asked questions

Rigid or portable panels for an RV? Rigid for anything permanent: they cost less per watt and survive weather without being packed away. Portable panels win only if you park in shade and need to chase the sun.

What are the best rigid solar panels for a home battery system? Modules in the 415W to 560W range from Sungold Power. The 440W N-Type comes in bulk quantities and carries a 30-year linear power warranty; the 560W bifacial adds rear-side gain on a ground mount.

Do these panels come with mounts and cables? Product pages list what is in each box. The Rich Solar 400W charging kit includes the MPPT controller; bare panels generally need mounting hardware ordered separately.

All rigid panels ship free to the mainland US from brand partner warehouses, usually within a few business days, with 30-day returns. If you are matching panels to an existing inverter, call and we will check the voltage window with you.