Calling on Solar Techies
I have been thinking of going solar for some time and decided to pull the plug. My wants are a 400 to 500 watt system. I have four 12 volt batteries with 340ah. I am not planning on changing b...
Forum Discussion
Gdetrailer wrote:
$1200 and you haven't even got to buy solar panels. You are also forgetting that shipping solar panels IS expensive. They don't ship em for free.
You are 100% correct ! Shipping panels will kill any online "discount" price.
Gdetrailer wrote:
OP WANTED to keep the "cost" at $1500, now you are encouraging them to sink even more money into a system that is going to cost $2500 and more.
If you live anywhere near a big city, I'll bet you can find 400W worth of polycrystalline solar panels within 100 miles for under $300.
Gdetrailer wrote:
Heck the "puresine" inverter that you pointed out alone ate up HALF the OPs budget..
Quality and easy of installation and operation, as you have pointed out, aren't cheap !
Gdetrailer wrote:
Haven't even got to the batteries yet.
OP said they were going to be replaced and inferred that was not in the solar budget.
Gdetrailer wrote:
OP will need at a min of 500W-600W of panels to pull off using a microwave and coffee pot.. The two highest power draws.. And I suspect that is not enough..
Or run the generator for an hour or two a day. You just have to make sure there is enough energy left in the AM for that first shot of caffeine !
Gdetrailer wrote:
That is a great thing with solar, you can add on when ever you get the money, you do not HAVE to lay out a lot of cash up front, ...
I'm not sure I agree with that statement. Sure you can add panels, but if you bought an inexpensive charge controller, you will be replacing it. Same for the inverter.
You can buy an "off brand" 2000W inverter for around $300. Will it last ? Transfer switch, under $100. 60A "smart" charger, about $250 Lots of wiring !
