Amazing value, great power
ZOUPW products had been on my radar for a while, but someone on Reddit recommended them so I thought I'd have a look. And I am truly glad I did.
First, they were on sale. That never hurts. Then I did a deep dive into finding reviews of them; Youtube videos spoke well of the company, and AI research also supported the value.
Next was compatibility: Would they work for my Jackery Home Power 3000? Yes - out of the box. Would one of them be compatible with my Vtoman 1800? Yes - with an adapter (which I had).
I thought about it for a couple of days. I did have two, 200 watt Jackery Panels, but that's in the ballpark of about half a charge in a day's time for that Jackery.
So I bought.
The shipping was prompt; and while I was worried about the large heavy item possibly not arriving undamaged, again, AI assured me that ZOUPW took care to add proper padding and heavy corrugated boxes. Sure enough, while there was some damage to both of the cartons, the product inside was in pristine condition.
So next, the test. It was a sunny day here in NC; I quickly hooked up one to the Jackery 3000. In moments I was getting about 324 watts... 92% of rated! Not bad... and then the second one, the wattage stayed solid, I got 645 watts total.
Ah, but what about first impressions? Well, the folding panels I currently have (Jackery, Eco-Worthy, FlexSolar) are all flexible. They work, sure, but that bending with less than perfect bracing is a bit annoying. In the real world (like a beach trip) they need significant security. I was happy (really - I smiled!) to find that the ZOUPW panels themselves were rigid, with sturdy wire props for each of the four panels. These things are SOLID. And while I don't think I need anything else for average use, included are U-shaped "stakes" that allow the panels to be better secured to the ground. A super nice touch.
Bonus points: They come with their own cases! Wow. I'd put that at a $35 to $50 value for one of those alone. They're well made, sturdy zippers, and a pouch for cables and stakes. While they have shoulder straps for easy transport, someone even though to put a stitched handle at the bottom of the case as well. Talk about ease of management! The case is also designed with an opening for the actual handles on the panels themselves.
Some might ask why I didn't go with higher wattage. Well, the price was right, for one. And it's acceptable power for my stations, easily meeting my needs in a day of reasonable sun. And the higher the watts, the bigger the panels. For boondocking, I can manage both of these in our RV, and again, assuming good sun, these will keep RVs air conditioning on low for hours with pass-through charging with the 3000 power station.
Really, these are, as my title reads, amazing value, great power. My first test showed 92% of rated, and I suspect under even more ideal conditions I may hit 100% or even higher.
What's missing? Well they aren't bifacial. I don't consider that a big deal. They don't have any built-in USB ports that I know of... also not a big deal. I still give these the full 5 stars. These will serve me well for camping or for the occasional power outages.
Very happy!
