High efficiency solar panel - Spring 2013
As of Spring 2013, what high efficiency solar panel do you opinion offers the best performance for the dollar? And where do you purchase them in less than pallet lots? Thanks Woody
Forum Discussion
The most important efficiency is how solar charging is applied to the situation.
If I recommended a quantity of a certain module and it greatly overshot your needs, that wouldn't be efficient. Conversely, If one was to recommend less than what was required, it also wouldn't be efficient.
If your question is, generically, what is the best bang-for-the-buck, it has to go to nominal 24V modules, of which there are many choices. Solar Blvd, NAWS, and other online resellers can offer modules as cheap as $.70/W. The user of nominal 24v modules will have the additional expense of a MPPT controller (vs cheaper PWM controller).
When estimating total system costs, allow for wiring, fusing, and distribution. In my case, due to fancy distribution considerations, the wiring costs exceeded module cost. It's easy to spend a chunk when dealing with larger sized wire gauges. Also, batteries are sometimes added when installing solar charging and this can add to complexity and cost.
First, use this handy spreadsheet to assess your needs:Sizing solar spreadsheet
If I recommended a quantity of a certain module and it greatly overshot your needs, that wouldn't be efficient. Conversely, If one was to recommend less than what was required, it also wouldn't be efficient.
If your question is, generically, what is the best bang-for-the-buck, it has to go to nominal 24V modules, of which there are many choices. Solar Blvd, NAWS, and other online resellers can offer modules as cheap as $.70/W. The user of nominal 24v modules will have the additional expense of a MPPT controller (vs cheaper PWM controller).
When estimating total system costs, allow for wiring, fusing, and distribution. In my case, due to fancy distribution considerations, the wiring costs exceeded module cost. It's easy to spend a chunk when dealing with larger sized wire gauges. Also, batteries are sometimes added when installing solar charging and this can add to complexity and cost.
First, use this handy spreadsheet to assess your needs:Sizing solar spreadsheet
