Opinion on solar panel kit wanted
I received a notice of this solar panel kit. It seemed like a good deal here in the northeast. 300 watts for $500 including S&H. All opinions welcome.
Forum Discussion
The usual rule for PWM is you need 20% margin over your rated Isc amps for sizing the controller and the fuse that goes on the pos line near the battery.
300w pointed at a high sun can get you 300/130 x 8.2 = 19a (which should be about twice the Isc of a 150w panel) so the 20a controller supplied is inadequate for amps size.
Also that controller has been noted on this forum in other kits as a poor one for some reason can't remember so you will need a better controller anyway. Lots of 25 and 30a PWM controllers on ebay at low cost, so no problem there.
As to that kit's price, just take off the "free" shipping and go with what they really cost and it looks better.
An alternative to consider is a single 24v panel in the 250w range and the 20a Eco-worthy ($102) or Tracer $130) MPPT controller.
300w pointed at a high sun can get you 300/130 x 8.2 = 19a (which should be about twice the Isc of a 150w panel) so the 20a controller supplied is inadequate for amps size.
Also that controller has been noted on this forum in other kits as a poor one for some reason can't remember so you will need a better controller anyway. Lots of 25 and 30a PWM controllers on ebay at low cost, so no problem there.
As to that kit's price, just take off the "free" shipping and go with what they really cost and it looks better.
An alternative to consider is a single 24v panel in the 250w range and the 20a Eco-worthy ($102) or Tracer $130) MPPT controller.
