Solar Panel Purchase

Ditto Cruiser.

Purchased from Solar Steve. Top quality product, awesome service, easy to deal with. Provides you with con note tracking number so that you can keep track of your delivery.


Steve despatched my two panels late Tuesday afternoon from Melbourne, they hit my front door early Thursday afternoon.

I have a further two panels on back order with Steve. More than happy to go around a second time.

NOTE! Steve has "mates rates" for EO Members.

Ian

Make sure it doesn't fall over otherwise you will have to buy a new one. I've seen this happen a couple of times.

Cheers

mainey,

I wonder if you could tell me what would be wrong with these "Rich solar" monocrystalline solar panels on ebay for $4.99 a watt. Looks like good value for that price.

Wazzaaaalink

the Link you supplied states:
Max. power: 85 Watt
Max. power voltage = 18.2 Volts
Max. power current = 4.59 Amps

However I believe the Rich panels are:
Max. power: 85 Watt
Max. power voltage = 18.05 Volts
Max. power current = 4.71 Amps

So I would want to see who is responsible for the 12 month warranty ?
I don't believe a reseller can be held responsible as they are not the manufacturer

At $424 each with the numbers as they are, they appear to be a bargain to me
How are you *positive* they are Rich panels ?

Maîneÿ . . .

Mainey the reason I asked was as I have bought 8 x 65watt panels from this guy over the last two years and I can not fault them. Although I paid an average of $4.60 per watt they are branded "Rich Solar" and the quality of the panel appears as good as a friends sharp panels. The point I am making is just because they are cheap from china, and I suspect the panels from Solar Steve's Solar Power Shop are as well , doesn't mean they are no good. Originally because of the price I was prepared to take the risk, but after using them and comparing them with friends panels performance in identical situations I was very happy and bought more.

Wazzaaaa

Wazzaaaa,
I never said Rich panels were "no good" I never even hinted they were "no good"

What I did say was:
the Link you supplied states:
Max. power voltage = 18.20 Volts
Max. power current = 4.59 Amps

the Rich panels are:
Max. power voltage = 18.05 Volts
Max. power current = 4.71 Amps

I was only showing the difference in specification numbers and wondering why the ebay seller would not use the manufacturers own technical specification numbers, when the Rich panel numbers are definitely rated at higher Amps ??


The Rich panels have a ( 5 ) *five year* warranty on materials and workmanship.
However the ebay seller is only offering ( 1 ) *one year* which is a bit confusing ?

Why would the ebay seller not offer the manufacturers full warranty, when 5 years is definitely available by the manufacturer ??

These are just some questions and I realise they are not your answers


However, I would look at the genuine Rich panels first to see if there is any physical difference, as there is a definitely a difference in technical specifications and also clearly a difference in the warranty time period available from the manufacturer.

Have you considered they may possibly be 'seconds' or 'rejects' from the Rich factory?
Therfore they get a lesser warranty, as I can think of no other reason to cut 4 years off the *5 year warranty* of a certified product than to sell it this way, it's your money - your happy with their performance so buy more of them, as they are about half price when compared to the certified manufacturers products ?

Maîneÿ . . .

Hi Mainey, sorry I misquoted you "no good" were my words, I know how passionate you are with solar hence the reasion I asked you to look at the panels I bought. As far as the specification numbers and reduced warranty go may be a question to the seller might shed some light.
I must say I don't have much faith in warranty on lower priced ebay items as it may be more hassle than it is worth and I was willing to take the risk for the price.
What I am saying is they have worked great for our purpose for a couple of years now and if steve was selling them I would support him as he is on this site.

Wazzaaaa

The same question applies to the ebay seller of Rich panels....

Why is he only giving one (1) year warranty when the manufacturer gives them a five (5) warranty ??

I would buy a panel with a 5 year warranty over a 1 year warranty any day.

Maîneÿ . . .

Sent off a question to him and am awaiting a reply.

Wazzaaaa

Wazzaaaa,
surely the invoices you have recieved from the supplier or the box they come in or even the paperwork included with those panels you have previously bought, have stated the warranty information ?

His web page makes it clear that it's only 12 months

Maîneÿ . . .

Mainey,

The question i asked was why he only offered one year as opposed to the five.

Here is a copy of the email


Hi, I have solar panels from you and am happy with them. A friend was looking and asked why warranty with you on Rich Solar panels is one year when their web site says five. Also specs. appear slightly different.

Wazza

Mainey i just received the reply from bit_deals on ebay, copy below.


Hi wazza,
Specs are on the back on the panel - they are the real specs.
Warranty is given by us and not Rich Solar - if you're happy to send it back in China, then, you can do it anytime in the 5 years time.
Anyway, rest assured nothing will happen - these are real good quality panels.
Michael

Wazza,
what are the "real specs" stated on the back of the panel, he's referring to ??

As I've stated above, I believe the 'quality' of Rich panels to be excelent, but when Rich gives their product a 5 year warranty I would expect it to be honoured by this reseller, afterall you can buy the exact same panel WITH the 5 year warranty elsewhere.

How would it be if your TV had a 3 year Manufacturers warranty and you were only given 6 months by the retailer?

Maîneÿ . . .

Of course your right but who sells them in australia with the five year warranty?

As I said before, for the price I was prepared to take the risk with my first panel purchase and considered paying double for a name brand for the same size panel here, like buying a warranty. The panels surprised me by their quality appearence and performance there being the reasion for me buying more. I now have 6x 65w flat on the caravan roof and 2x 65w panels I have hinged and plug into the front of the van on a lead as well.

Wazzaaaa

One thing I forgot to add, while fitting panels on the roof of the caravan my son (still don't know how he did it) droped one on its corner on the lawn from the roof of the van. To this day it looks and performes the same as the rest.

Wazzaaaa

Wazzaaaa,
In this same thread Steve Mandrake has posted:

" Yeah, its 5 years not 1 year .. "

he's a retailer I can point you to here and now and at about the same price too

Maîneÿ . . .

Steve

what's the warranty period you give with the Rich panels you supply ??

Maîneÿ . . .

Sorry guys and gals - Just got to Coober Pedy and Internet access...

Warranty is 12 Months on the Physical panel , frame etc - 25 years on 80% output is the manufacturuers warranty ..

Cheers

Mandrake 27 days from St George !!

Can I ask why you only give one (1) year warranty on the Rich panel ??
when Rich supply a five (5) warranty on their panels ??

Maîneÿ . . .

Hey mate I'm in Coober Pedy on holiday ... Yeah its 5 years not 1 ..

See why I need a holiday !! LOL

Hooroo

Mandrake

Yes,
Steve, you definately NEED a holiday when you can't remember the 5 year
warranty on materials and workmanship of the panels you sell :-))
How in hell did you correctly remember the 25 years on 80% output warranty ?

""Warranty is 12 Months on the Physical panel , frame etc - 25 years on 80% output is the manufacturuers warranty .. ""


You need to get away more often and enjoy life, before you get too dam busy selling these (low cost) panels and you just can't leave the 'compound' because of all the new orders coming in for these panels with a 5 year manufacturers warranty

Maîneÿ . . .