Price of Solar! WOW
Unbelievable how low panel prices are. Solar Blvd has some 250W panels down to just .60/Watt! I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on my Solar project but might wait & see where the prices go. I l...
Forum Discussion
KMLsquared wrote:
KYOCERA SOLAR PANEL 120W 12V $99
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/eld/4716352370.html
Since this is a cost thread, is this a good deal and are these good panels?
Er... a 24V "cost thread", probably. At least, this is what the OP started. So let's not deviate. But, yes, ~$1/W is normal or good for 12V panels. The best way to stop your head from turning into mush is to stop thinking and start doing. Make cardboard templates of this panel size, or a 24V panel (220 to 250W are all same size), and see what fits.
pianotuna wrote:
Hi CATraveller,
I do series parallel for an input voltage of 33 to a Blue Sky 3024di controller. It works well.
I think Don is onto something here.
CA - here is what I would do (and there are, of course, other solutions). Get 4*240 or 4*250, as you already planned, and TS 60. Wire panels in series-parallel. Then you will have a manageable 17A to controller at 64 Vmp. Plug and play, with MC4 connectors all the way, no rooftop box, no monstrous #4 cable. Just make sure that the final cable from roof to controller is #8, not #10 or #12. Unlimited Solar have MC4 #8.
SMK here has 750W with all-series MC4 #10, and it works for him. I have 500W series with MC #8 - after running the numbers I wasn't even sure that should pay extra few bucks for $8, as at 9A the difference in V-drop from #10 was negligible. You will have enough pains planning and putting it all together as it is, why making it more difficult.
