Since I'm bitching about the industry
a 235 watt astroenergy solar photovoltaic panel is 65"x39" of high grade silicone in a frame weighing 44 lbs.
a AET model AE-21 flatpanel solar collector is 85"x35" of some copper pipe, copper flash and insulation in a glazed aluminum box weighing 74 lbs.
The completely impossible for me to make high tech panel costs $290
The one I could make a reasonable copy of in my carport after shopping at home depot costs $641.
the cheaper one has a 25 year warranty. the other a 10....
the builditsolar 1k systems make total sense but since they aren't certified I can't install one legally. Commercial systems are massively overpriced and never reach payback before they're expected to fail but are my only legal option.
|