Reviews
Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab, box front
Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab, solar car model
Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab, meter and modules
Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab, models built from the kit
Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab

Images: Thames & Kosmos

Researched

Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab

A modular kit with a solar panel, crank generator and meter for 24 energy experiments.

$249.95 at Thames & Kosmos · Price checked Oct 6

Check price at Thames & Kosmos

Prices at other stores may differ · Links go to the retailer

Our verdict

The Renewable Energy Lab is a Thames & Kosmos kit for ages 8 to 18 and up, listed at $249.95. Its 108 pieces build models such as an electric car that runs on a battery or straight from solar power, a model house with a solar panel, buzzer and light, a hand-crank generator and a windmill. A digital meter reads voltage and current, and a 32-page manual covers fossil fuels, wind, solar, batteries and electric vehicles across 24 experiments.

The kit can pair with a micro:bit, sold separately, to log data digitally, and Thames & Kosmos publishes a teacher guide and student workbook for classrooms. The maker’s page had no owner reviews when we checked, and the kit was released in 2025.

It suits a 9- to 15-year-old with a real interest in energy and science, or a homeschool family. Skip it if you want a quick build toy; this is a learning lab, and it needs three AAA batteries.

Key details

  • Ages 8+
  • 108 pieces
  • STEM kits
  • Thames & Kosmos
  • Available

More info

  • Item number: 627932
  • Age: 8–18+
  • Pieces: 108
  • Experiments: 24
  • Manual: 32 pages
  • Batteries: 3 AAA (not included)
  • Price: $249.95
Best for and who should skip it

Best for

  • Kids aged 9 to 15 interested in energy and climate
  • Homeschool and classroom science units
  • Families who want lab-style measuring, not just building

Skip it if

  • You want a quick build-and-play toy
  • The price is more than you want to spend on one kit
What we like and what to keep in mind

What we like

  • Digital meter shows real voltage and current
  • 24 experiments with a 32-page manual
  • Classroom materials published by the maker

Keep in mind

  • Needs 3 AAA batteries
  • micro:bit for data logging is sold separately
  • No owner reviews on the maker’s page yet
How we reviewed it

Researched, not hands-on tested. This review is based on the sources listed below. We have not tested this product ourselves. Check the current product listing and packaging before buying.

Based on the maker's specifications and public owner reviews, checked Oct 6, 2026.

Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab, box front

Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab

Researched · Ages 8+

$249.95

Links go to the retailer

Check price at Thames & Kosmos

Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab

$249.95 · Links go to the retailer

Check price

Sources.

What we read for this review, and when we last checked it.

  1. 01 Thames & Kosmos. Renewable Energy Lab thamesandkosmos.com · Checked Oct 6, 2026
  2. 02 Thames & Kosmos. Renewable Energy Lab teacher guide, lesson 1 (PDF) cdn.shopify.com · Checked Oct 6, 2026

How it compares.

This toy next to the alternatives we suggest, using the maker’s details.

Detail Thames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab, box front This reviewThames & Kosmos Renewable Energy Lab Thames & Kosmos Hydraulic Boxing Bots, box front Thames & Kosmos Hydraulic Boxing Bots KiwiCo Kinetic Light-Up Speaker, kit box KiwiCo Kinetic Light-Up Speaker
Price$249.95$49.95$49.95
Maker’s ageAges 8+Ages 10+Ages 12+
CategorySTEM kitsSTEM kitsSTEM kits
Pieces108327–
Good forKids 8+ who want to measure real energyKids 10+ who want a build that ends in a matchTweens and teens 12+ curious about electronics
StockAvailableAvailableAvailable

Prices are the list prices we saw on the maker’s site and change often.

If this isn’t quite right.

Thames & Kosmos Hydraulic Boxing Bots

Thames & Kosmos Hydraulic Boxing Bots

A cheaper hydraulics kit for ages 10+

See review
KiwiCo Kinetic Light-Up Speaker

KiwiCo Kinetic Light-Up Speaker

An electronics build for ages 12+

See review

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