Want To Purchase Two More Solar Panels

Get different panels, they have come down in price getting pretty close to $1.00 per watt.

Kyocera panels are readily available. You could get some in the same series, but they will probably be 140 watt now, about $300 each.

I've been buying from this guy. He's about 25 miles away and I've been able to buy out his back door. His prices are pretty competitive and he has connectors that can be added together and daisy chained. He ships all over the country.

Windy Nation

Depends on a) the ratings of your existing panels b) the way you want to wire them c) the make/model of your controller.

2oldman wrote:
Depends on a) the ratings of your existing panels b) the way you want to wire them c) the make/model of your controller.

I didn't include this information because I thought it was irrelevant. If I recall correctly, I have 2 Kyocera 130W panels and an Outback MX60 charge controller.

Honestly, with all the things on a typical RV roof I can't imagine that many larger residential panels can be used on an RV.

I was just hoping someone might have made a recent purchase. I'm not totally against other brands, but what I have works. I purchased them prior to a trip to Quartsite where I watched Solar Bill jump on an older Kyocera panel several times to demonstrate how durable they are. I consider the durability as plus as they could be subject to hail or other debris.

I'm not in any real hurry to make this purchase. So it may takes months, but I'll update this thread when I do make a purchase.

Sprig wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Depends on a) the ratings of your existing panels b) the way you want to wire them c) the make/model of your controller.

I didn't include this information because I thought it was irrelevant. If I recall correctly, I have 2 Kyocera 130W panels and an Outback MX60 charge controller.

So you are well-versed in all the issues of panel-matching concerning wiring and such?

If you go to Quartzsite, check out these guys. https://www.solar-electric.com/ Northern Arizona Wind and Sun. We've bought Kyocera panels from them 3 separate times (I have 6 on the roof), as well as Morningstar chargers and a ton of other stuff. THey're located in Flagstaff and have every connector, bus bar, mount, and controller you could possibly want IN STOCK. They also do major commercial installs so they have a ton of experience. Like all solar purchases, there's no sales tax on solar gear bought in Arizona. When you factor in the pickup in AZ (no shipping), shipping and tax others charge, I found it a very good deal. Not only that, you don't have to put up with the BS that Solar Bill puts out. If he really knew something, he'd be dangerous.

2oldman wrote:
...So you are well-versed in all the issues of panel-matching concerning wiring and such?

Yes.

Solar Wholesale out of Oregon, where I got my first two panels, no longer sell Kyocera panels singularly; the sell them only by the crate according to the person that answered their phone.

pigman1 wrote:
...you don't have to put up with the BS that Solar Bill puts out. If he really knew something, he'd be dangerous.

He was certainly a character. However, I felt he made me a decent deal on an inverter he traded and didn't want to deal with. I think I ended up buying something from all the major vendors in Quartzite. But I still remember Solar Bill jumping up and down on that old Kyocera panel, it was obviously rugged.

I'm not a Kyocera fan boy; what I have was a good purchase at the time. I will happily use a different brand if the quality is just as good.

Thanks for the link and information. That was exactly the type of information that I was looking for.

Hi,

How many amps is your existing panels and controller? Do you plan on hooking up the two new ones to the same controller?

If you are going with another controller, then finding the exact 'open circuit voltage' is not required. Panel prices have dropped dramatically in the past couple of years. What I spent $1,500 on in 94 - 99 is now replaceable for only about $800!

SunElec.com I would recommend a pair of 140 watt solar panels, last I heard they cost $229 there. A 20 amp PWM controller is really cheap now, perhaps $35 more? Some UV rated direct burial wire from Home Depot (the grey stuff, sold in #10 romex in 25 or 50' lengths).

For mounts, I made them out of 6" long 2" angle aluminum (home depot) with 3 holes 3/16" for #10 screws into the roof, and 5/16" hole for a 1/4" bolt into the panels. Some rubber roof sealant, and you are ready.

I ran all my wires down the refrigerator roof vent area, to the controller, then to the batteries.

Good luck,

Fred.