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
Thanks
Woody
Forum Discussion
44 Replies
harold1946 wrote:
HiTech wrote:
Of course it can. There are many ways to measure efficiency. Watts output at standard test conditions/ energy out vs energy in in one very lab specific set of circumstances is but one possible way. Cost efficiency per watt is a valid measure. Efficiency in total watts generated per a particular roof space (which will include packaging efficiency as well as panel energy conversion efficiency) is another.
Google "cost efficiency" in quotes.
Jim
I would respectfully desagree. Efficiency is one thing, cost is another. The most efficient panels are also the highest price per watt.
There is only one standard used in the industry for measuring the efficiency of solar panels, and has nothing to do with what the manufacturers price is.
When someone says efficiency in regard to a solar panel I would agree. But cost efficiency is a very standard term across technologies and has a clear and valid meaning as well.
JimCamper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
harold1946 wrote:
They say the solar panels they sell are Custom made for AM Solar.Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
You also want to look into the sturdiness of your solar panels.
I understand the Kyocera 140 is built with RV use in mind.
AM Solar makes their own panels and will setup a complete system.
l think it's Arizona Wind and Sun is a popular supplier too.
Two 140 watt panels should fill most of your needs.
I figure three 140 watters will fill my needs over the winter or through a few cloudy days.
I currently get by with 1 64 watt thin film panel that actually delivers about 44 watts.
It does the job as long as we exercise some power conservation and fire up the truck to charge via 4 AWG wire from the alternator to the TC batteries.
AM solar does not manufacture solar panels.:B
Thats correct. They are not made by AM Solar.HiTech wrote:
Of course it can. There are many ways to measure efficiency. Watts output at standard test conditions/ energy out vs energy in in one very lab specific set of circumstances is but one possible way. Cost efficiency per watt is a valid measure. Efficiency in total watts generated per a particular roof space (which will include packaging efficiency as well as panel energy conversion efficiency) is another.
Google "cost efficiency" in quotes.
Jim
I would respectfully desagree. Efficiency is one thing, cost is another. The most efficient panels are also the highest price per watt.
There is only one standard used in the industry for measuring the efficiency of solar panels, and has nothing to do with what the manufacturers price is.- 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 harold1946 wrote:
They say the solar panels they sell are Custom made for AM Solar.Camper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
You also want to look into the sturdiness of your solar panels.
I understand the Kyocera 140 is built with RV use in mind.
AM Solar makes their own panels and will setup a complete system.
l think it's Arizona Wind and Sun is a popular supplier too.
Two 140 watt panels should fill most of your needs.
I figure three 140 watters will fill my needs over the winter or through a few cloudy days.
I currently get by with 1 64 watt thin film panel that actually delivers about 44 watts.
It does the job as long as we exercise some power conservation and fire up the truck to charge via 4 AWG wire from the alternator to the TC batteries.
AM solar does not manufacture solar panels.:B- Of course it can. There are many ways to measure efficiency. Watts output at standard test conditions/ energy out vs energy in in one very lab specific set of circumstances is but one possible way. Cost efficiency per watt is a valid measure. Efficiency in total watts generated per a particular roof space (which will include packaging efficiency as well as panel energy conversion efficiency) is another.
Google "cost efficiency" in quotes.
Jim - The cost of a panel cannot be compaired to its efficiency. All of the most efficient panels are also the most expensive. The one exception is thin film, which is the most expense for the least efficiency.
One has to decide whether they want the most efficient or something less, all depending on budget.
It works the same as sizing the array. The larger the array, and the more efficient, the more power produced in a given amount of time.
The needs and expectations are the determining factors along with budget. harold1946 wrote:
HiTech wrote:
Most efficient per dollar often comes down to the shipping price these days. Free shipping specials are your friend. You may also have places you can pick up from which can be worth while even if paying a little more per watt.
Jim
:h
For example you can find say a 190 panel for a great deal $133 or 70 cents per watt. But it has a $75 dollar shipping charge so now you are really paying $208 or $109 per watt shipped.
A local guy probably won't have any panels for 70 cents a watt but he may have them for 90 or 95 cents, and no shipping.
In that case the most efficient power per dollar is actually the higher price per watt local guy because shipping big panels is expensive.
Same thing with free shipping deals. Might be better off paying 80 cents a watt but getting in on the occasional free shipping deal than going with a place who has 70cents per watt panels.
JimCamper_Jeff_&_Kelli wrote:
You also want to look into the sturdiness of your solar panels.
I understand the Kyocera 140 is built with RV use in mind.
AM Solar makes their own panels and will setup a complete system.
l think it's Arizona Wind and Sun is a popular supplier too.
Two 140 watt panels should fill most of your needs.
I figure three 140 watters will fill my needs over the winter or through a few cloudy days.
I currently get by with 1 64 watt thin film panel that actually delivers about 44 watts.
It does the job as long as we exercise some power conservation and fire up the truck to charge via 4 AWG wire from the alternator to the TC batteries.
AM solar does not manufacture solar panels.:BHiTech wrote:
Most efficient per dollar often comes down to the shipping price these days. Free shipping specials are your friend. You may also have places you can pick up from which can be worth while even if paying a little more per watt.
Jim
:h
