solar panel strength durability

Submitted: Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 06:47
ThreadID: 3103 Views:2989 Replies:4 FollowUps:8
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after posting on this forum have found to understand that i need about 120 watts of solar power to run my fridge. now my question what panel will hold up the rough roads and consistently moving on and of my camper trailer to follow the sun? have seen many claims that the unisolar panels are unbreakable, others say are panels are durable. look at www.tasmanenergy.com.au . these people also state the unisolar is more durable. the problem is a unisolar panel is a amorphoros panel and the others are moly crystaline. then again people say the unisolar panels outperform. [ not sure of conditions] the unisolar are larger and slightly more expensive. don't mind spending a few more dollars as it is a long term investment. do all panels have durable frames from which to mount? have seen many solar panel names, sizes and charts, prices.
it seems to me that many people are recommending the unisolar, why?
better profit margin? please give me your opinion as which panels you would buy? remember these panels will be mounted on my camper trailer boat rack. cheers, robert
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Reply By: wal - Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 08:50

Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 08:50
Robert dont know your answers but you might find what you are looking for here. www.rpc.com.au
AnswerID: 11907

Reply By: bruce - Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 10:24

Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 10:24
Robert ..the unisolar panels are steel backed as to glass in other types....now , contrary to some other peoples opinions I believe that glass can and does break and I also believe that it is very hard to break steel....the unisolar may well be a little bit larger than other types ...but if you are going to be moving them around and you do have a mishap it is nice to know that you are not going to have a pile of useless glass at your feet and a very dented pocket ...cheers and good luck....I do not think that the unisolar are very expensive compared to others either...
AnswerID: 11912

Reply By: OziExplorer - Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 11:51

Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 11:51
Robert, personally I prefer monocrystline for all the right reasons. Monocrystaline perform better all year round, they are smaller, the quartz crystal glass they panels are made from can be jumped on. They are incredibly tough.
Amphorous are not without their issues. If you let water pond on them they go all goooey and soft, they have a limited life and after ten years the power output starts to decline at an unacceptable rate. For example all the amphorous monitoring panels in this region have all recently been replaced at 9 years and could get no warranty on them.
AnswerID: 11915

Follow Up By: Robert4615 - Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 13:06

Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 13:06
oziexplorer, if i decided to go with the monocrystaline panels for performance and size, do you know which panels are the most durable and best performing? do they all have a strong frame for mounting on a boat rack of a camper trailer?
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FollowupID: 6810

Follow Up By: Oziexplorer - Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 14:24

Monday, Jan 27, 2003 at 14:24
Robert, BP Solar, Kyocera, Solarex.
All have good/reasonable mountings. There is not much to choose between all the brands on mountings. Some of the extrusions even look the same.

Best prices I know of in Australia
Solarex all sizes well priced.
http://www.biasboating.com.au/solarpanels.html

BP Solar 60w
http://www.coiltek.com.au/Products/solar_panels.htm

Kyocera 80w
http://www.tasmanenergy.com.au/solar_panels.htm
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FollowupID: 6816

Follow Up By: Bruce - Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 12:14

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 12:14
Ozi..If I jumped on your glass panels ..believe me they would break...and who is going to leave thier panels laying flat in the rain for water to pool on them.... I suppose the same bloke that drives around with his caravan fridge running on gas..say no more..
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FollowupID: 6877

Reply By: Janset - Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 19:39

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 19:39
Robert.

I have just bought a Unisolar 65 Watt from the 12 Volt Shop in Welspool. As yet I can not comment on a lot of issues, but I can say two things.

Firstly, they are a damned lighter panel then the glass ones and secondly, I have a 20 year warranty with it.

One last thought, when you get home and the camper trailer is stowed, is the solar panel still going to be out in the weather doing nothing of significance, or is it going to be under cover where I would put it, especially if it is removable. Battery maintenance works just as well with a small 240 volt charger when at home.

Regards
AnswerID: 12019

Follow Up By: Bruce - Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 20:53

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 20:53
Janset..can I be a sticky beak and ask what you paid for it and did you get a regulator as well...cheers
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FollowupID: 6933

Follow Up By: Janset - Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 21:10

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 21:10
Hi Bruce.

No problemo.

The Arrid RR1212 Solar Regulator was $75
6A 400V Solar Blocking Diode $1.60
64 Watt Uni-solar Panel $ 640

These purchases were dated 13/1/03

Regards
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FollowupID: 6936

Follow Up By: Bruce - Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 21:35

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2003 at 21:35
Thanks for the quick reply I am not usually on the net at this time but had a little opology to make elsewhere...yair seems to be a good fair price...I had the offer of a little bit cheaper price but that was for cash and it was only about $10 better so you have done well...cheers
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FollowupID: 6940

Follow Up By: David - Monday, Feb 10, 2003 at 18:58

Monday, Feb 10, 2003 at 18:58
Sorry Janset but I'm afraid the Unisolar are the heaviest and the biggest in terms of size per watt.... Just look closely at the specs.
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FollowupID: 7478

Follow Up By: Bruce - Tuesday, Feb 11, 2003 at 15:22

Tuesday, Feb 11, 2003 at 15:22
yair,,yair David or Ozi..we have heard it all before..many times , we know Unisolar are no good you told us so..you havent got them so they are no good,,big deal ..its wot suit us that counts ..not what you dont like...
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FollowupID: 7525

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