ebay solar panels

Submitted: Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 at 15:07

ThreadID: 74017 Views:3898 Replies:5 FollowUps:1

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Solar Power

This article covers every aspect of solar and its design and installation in RVs (camper trailers, caravans and motor homes). It shows how much power solar panels really produce,

not Noel

First up, I'm totally ignorant about solar. I know I need it, and I know I require at least a 120W panel, preferably 150W. Kulkyne sell a 150W [3x50W] folding type panel kit for $1570, and a seller on eBay [All solar] sell a 200W folding kit for $650 + $150 postage. The tech figures mean nothing to me, so perhaps someone can enlighten me in regards to a comparison between the two said panels???

eBay: * Efficiency 16%
* Working voltage 19.00volts
* Operating Current 10.59 amps
* Open Circuit Voltage 22.80volts
* Short Circuit Current 11.37 amps
* Weight 15kg
* Size of panel folded 1196mm x 534mm x 70mm

Kulkuyne: * High efficiency mono-crystalline cells
* Power Output : 150 Watts ± 5%
* Short Circuit Current : 10.26 amps
* Open Circuit Voltage : 21.6 volts
* Optimum Operating Current : 8.73 amps
* Optimum Power Voltage : 17.2 volts
* Weight : 14.4 kgs
* Length : 680 mm
* Width : 540 mm x 3
* Thickness : 35 mm x 3

Thanks guys...

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Reply By: arofs1 - Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 at 20:07

Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 at 20:07

I have solar panels and they are good quality and well known brands and they work fine. I am a member of several sites, some of which are experts in solar and I would be very careful buying a brand that is not one of the major ones. Apparently heat for the lesser brands is a real problem and while they may work fine at 20 degrees c they apparently don't work very well at 40 degrees C and 40 degrees c on the panel means much less in real atmospheric terms.

Solar is expensive in any way, but would become very expensive if you got panels that only performed to 50% in the heat when you really needed them.

Beware. Brian DJ

AnswerID: 392748

Reply By: Rod - Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 at 21:56

Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 at 21:56

Jaycar have just announced specials on their panels

http://www.jaycar.com.au/images_uploaded/SC%20DEC%20AUST.pdf

Page 10 shows some pretty keen prices

AnswerID: 392777

Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 at 23:51

Thursday, Nov 26, 2009 at 23:51

My choice of the two systems shown is:

the Kulkuyne panels

* Power Output : 150 Watts
* Optimum Operating Current : 8.73 amps
* Optimum Power Voltage : 17.2 volts

Maîneÿ . . .

AnswerID: 392796

Reply By: franken - Friday, Nov 27, 2009 at 10:14

Friday, Nov 27, 2009 at 10:14

$10/W is what solar used to cost, these days $3.50 - $4/W is common with most suppliers. I would go the ebay fellow, almost all panels are now made in China, and you can buy two for the price of one.

there are other suppliers around, check out
soanarplus

and there is a fellow on here who sells them too.

AnswerID: 392849

Reply By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Friday, Nov 27, 2009 at 14:47

Friday, Nov 27, 2009 at 14:47

Of the 2 systems mentioned,

200 Watts for $800 delivered = $4 per Watt
150 Watts for $1570 (+delivery ?) = $10.47+ per Watt

This one's a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned ;-)

Also worth considering,
If you buy the panels and regulator separately, a MPPT controller is capable of transferring (roughly) the same energy from 150 Watt panels, as a PWM controller will transfer from 200 Watts..

What the heck is an MPPT ??

These are becoming more affordable by the day..

:)

Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"

Member
My Profile Send Message

AnswerID: 392895

Follow Up By: not Noel - Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 19:14

Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 at 19:14

Thanks for the replies guys... I'm not sure I'm any wiser as a result tho. How do I tell a crap panel from a good one? It can't just be price alone??!! Like I stated, the tech figures mean nothing to me. My way of thinking is this: if I need to purchase a drill, I'm not going to buy a GMC brand over a Makita expecting the same performance and life span. Now, how do I transfer that thought into solar panels????

Appreciate your replies....

FollowupID: 661214