Solar Panel Project

SoundGuy wrote:

westend wrote:
Aim higher. Home Depot also sells the Grape brand controllers that will support up to 40 amps of charging.

Different world here in Canada where many of the products those of you in the US are able to purchase at reasonable prices either just aren't available here in Canada or end up costing an arm & a leg if ordered from a US supplier. :( Nothing wrong with the OP's approach as anything is better than nothing, also nothing wrong with his portable panel approach as camping here in Ontario very often involves camping on well shaded sites where a permanently mounted roof panel would be ineffective much of the time. Personally I wouldn't mind a simple 100 to 130 watt folding portable panel for those few times we do camp without shore power - not the ultimate answer obviously but better than nothing and simple to use. Must just drive the solar pundits crazy. :p

The largest cost of obtaining modules is, typically, shipping. Since most modules are large (in the shipping sense), it costs big money to ship them.
Sure, you could add a set of butt hinges to those Canadian Tire panels and have a nice little charging system. I don't have any problem with smaller modules, it's just that, as module size decreases, the price/watt goes up.
Forum member BFL13, headquartered in BC, has found local sellers in CA that sell modules at fair prices. With the increased production and availability of panels, there should be some availability in your local area at affordable pricing.
Good luck to all that choose to get on the solar bandwagon. :)