More 70 cent/watt solar

Wow..if I had any more room I'd add one.

Hi Jim,

When you live in the outback as I do
Shipping costs factor into the equation
The slow boat from China would cost me over $150 for one panel
Guess there might be at most one good thing for living in the big city

Has anyone out there ferreted out the optimum value in a 12-volt panel, shipping tax whatever, the most bang for the buck? In the USA. Preferably on the West Coast, ideally in the extreme southwest, meaning south AND west?

A 12 volt panel means one for use with a PWM controller---

I think those DMSolar panels when they go on sale are probably the best bank for the buck if you have to ship them somewhere. Sometimes they go on sale on Amazon for $220. They're 290W @ 12V I think (two 145W panels). You have to wait for the free shipping sale too.

mena661 wrote:
I think those DMSolar panels when they go on sale are probably the best bank for the buck if you have to ship them somewhere. Sometimes they go on sale on Amazon for $220. They're 290W @ 12V I think (two 145W panels). You have to wait for the free shipping sale too.

Wow that's quite a deal shipped.

Jim

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Has anyone out there ferreted out the optimum value in a 12-volt panel, shipping tax whatever, the most bang for the buck? In the USA. Preferably on the West Coast, ideally in the extreme southwest, meaning south AND west?

A 12 volt panel means one for use with a PWM controller---

Shipping a 24v panel (50lbs.) from Solar Blvd in Norco, CA to Minneapolis, MN was $75, IIRC. What raises shipping cost is the bulk of the item, over 60" in length is the killer.

Wow! I could replace the 4 panels I have, gain 20 watts, and have more usable real estate on the roof. . . for more panels? :B

I wouldn't even need a new controller--my Blue Sky is good for 25 Amps :) Hmmm, I could put three up there and recharge my 4 GC's is no time!

That is the same Canadian solar panel I have and I wouldn't recommend it. It is constantly under preforming compared to my Schott poly in all light. By that I mean 25% less amps in bright light and over 50% in low light. YMMV

^^^^

If that far under spec why not take it back under warranty?

I bought it used cheap and have only the real life numbers I see to work with.

I wouldn't mind the 12a it gives in bright light, it is 10w less and smaller than the poly. The voltage drops like a rock when the light does down to 29v and the amps, well .78a wont even wake up the controller.

The only way it out does the poly is if you stick your hand in front of it. The poly will drop 25% and the Canadian solar seems unfazed. Let that shadow go all the way across even a inch thick and it drops to .78a again.

It may be faulty, I haven't dwelt on it because I do have the poly to use. If someone does get one I'd love some real world numbers to compare it with.