The price was right and I wanted a panel that could push through tree branches without damage. These are used in solar field all over the world. About 6 1/2' by 3 1/2' with aluminum frame. Solar panels are commercial 36 volt Yingli 72 cell, 285 watt. Not including batteries, I spent about $1477 Anyone with rudimentary skills can repeat this installation. Tim was wondering about the source and pricing so here it is. If you have thought about a DIY solar installation but the sticker price is too much, here is how I did the whole thing using premium components for under $2000. Here is a list of prices and sources from 12 or 13 years ago: While the Chinese panels are really excellent, American, German, Canadian panels are also good but it pays to look for reviews before buying.Ĭan't think of a thing I would change today if I had it to do again. Much easier to remove to paint roof as we did. If you read about the glued down panel that ripped off, you know why. This are the best possible components and we don't have any wires visible on the roof, everything is inside vinyl electrical conduit so tidy and less likely to catch on a tree branch, etc. Most of the costs listed below will be less expensive today with the exception of our Midnite Classic 150 controller. Our system has worked flawlessly since installed. Figure that on Craigslist or Marketplace, the newer panels are going to cost between $0.33 and $0.40 per watt if you do your homework. Really, all you have to do it see the size and most of the newer panels are the shorter 64 inch instead of the 72 inch we have and then see how many watts they produce. Not that much need to have the efficiency figures written on the panels if used as you can always look them up online. The solar panels just sit there and years later, will produce almost the same amount of juice they did when new. I warranty on the controller is probably the only thing you have to worry about. ![]() Having installed ours 13 years ago, I can make the following observations. I think both Roger and Jack have good points. ![]() There are always ways to do a solar project on your coach for a very minimal budget but never skimp on safety. But for a backup system they would be good. These used panels would probably be OK in a fixed location but are not suitable for a grid tied installation. If you are doing it yourself it is not that hard but still a fair number of hours to do. It is a tough choice but a known high quality, high efficiency, long warranty panel is probably worth the extra cost especially if you re paying for someone to do the install. Almost everyone who puts on solar will say later that more would be better. If you are trying to maximize solar production in a limited space area, the extra money for more watts per panel is worth it. 4 of these gets you more power (1460 watts) than the 5 $50 panels. New LG 365 watt panels in the same size, >21% efficiency, 25 yr warranty are $360 each. So now you are up to about $1500 assuming you do the work yourself. Mounting brackets, VHB tape, caulk and other supplies, maybe $125. Cables to the batteries, say 15 ft away, 1 ga with lugs, about $40. Fuse block and fuses, circuit breaker adds $90. Good cables for parallel installation will be about $250. A good charge controller, perhaps a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/85, is $700. Are you going to leave room for access to other equipment on the roof? When you are all done how many are there? Five? Maybe six? So 5 panels is 1250 watts, for $250. Cut out cardboard templates to help visualize how they will fit. Go look very closely at the real estate on the roof of your coach. These are cheap, used panels with labels removed, probably no warranty, no efficiency specs. If you are thinking about solar for your coach this is one way to do it. ![]() SanTan Solar T Series 250W - SanTan Solar Store SanTan Solar Wholesale Solar. I added these to my 1200 watt LG panel array to increase from 1200 to 1800 watts. They were $100 each, and for $20 he brought them to me. ![]() For instance, the fall of 2019, off Craigslist, I bought two used 305 watt Sunpower panels, delivered to my door by the seller for $110 each, or $0.36 watt. If you are only buying a couple, a better final cost each may be found locally. Depending how many you buy, this will vary the total cost shipped to you. When I've shipped a pallet before, I have saved shipping charges by having them delivered to a local freight yard, instead of my home or business location. Since they are located in Gilbert AZ., you may be able to pick them up and avoid the cost of shipping a pallet of panels. Only $50 each, 250 watt, 60 cell, 65inchX39inch, monocrystalline solar panels.Ī review also of the panes performance by Will Prowse. Just a heads up for some lower cost used, $0.20 watt solar panels.
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