Solar Laminates for Off Grid Applications $.50/watt

benpope · 09-15-11, 09:10 AM

I ran across this and thought you guys may be interested:

Solar Laminates (Off Grid, no junction boxes) $.50/watt when bought by the pallet. Regular price is $.74 per watt. Looks like they are selling fast.

These are not UL tested (from what some folks have said) and should only be used for off grid applications. You will need to add junction boxes and can add a frame.

Ryland · 09-15-11, 04:15 PM

Their watt rating does not look to be the standard watt rating, it looks to be the power output that you could get with a Maximum Power Point Tracker, it's a sneaky way to put higher numbers on your panels, but you will never see that output without a MPPT so in reality your power output would be about 15% to 20% less.
I'm not sure what the current cost is to build frames, but aluminum is not free, nor are junction boxes, by pass diodes or your time, so all of that is something to keep in mind as well, more so when you are looking at new, either US made or Made In Japan panels that are costing $2.50 per watt or less now, that are UL listed, with frames, junction boxes, quick connect weather proof plugs and a rated watt output that is inline with current standards so you can compare it to other panels more accurately.

Xringer · 09-15-11, 05:28 PM

I've got some cheap (Ebay) 125w panels from UL Solar..
http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-....html#post6884

Today, they sent me an email ad.. Kinda has me wondering why they
just didn't tell me the G-R-E-A-T deal in their email.?.

"**Dear UL SOLAR Valued Customers,

Take advantage of this G-R-E-A-T deal, it won't be here for long. We offer FREE SHIPPING on ALL ITEMS
( USA 48 States Only ).

We have closeout deal as low as $1.50 per watt

Call NOW 1-888-701-0566** "

GaryGary · 09-15-11, 07:28 PM

Hi,
Are planning to build frames, or mount them without frames? The SunElectric site seems to say that using frames is optional. Wondering how one would mount a frameless module? The modules are normally made with tempered glass, so they should be pretty strong without the frames.

The video on cutting through the back layer to find the hook up points did not look to easy -- will be interested in seeing how this goes for you.

50 cents a watt is pretty nice!

Gary

philb · 09-23-11, 12:48 PM

Has anyone here tried to use the Sun laminates?

Xringer · 09-23-11, 01:12 PM

Check over here.. Laminate panels for .50/watt - Solar Electric Power Discussion Forum by Northern Arizona Wind & Sun

09-15-11, 09:10 AM	#1
benpope Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 95 Thanks: 16 Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts	Solar Laminates for Off Grid Applications $.50/watt I ran across this and thought you guys may be interested: Solar Laminates (Off Grid, no junction boxes) $.50/watt when bought by the pallet. Regular price is $.74 per watt. Looks like they are selling fast. These are not UL tested (from what some folks have said) and should only be used for off grid applications. You will need to add junction boxes and can add a frame.

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09-15-11, 04:15 PM	#2
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 913 Thanks: 127 Thanked 82 Times in 71 Posts	Their watt rating does not look to be the standard watt rating, it looks to be the power output that you could get with a Maximum Power Point Tracker, it's a sneaky way to put higher numbers on your panels, but you will never see that output without a MPPT so in reality your power output would be about 15% to 20% less. I'm not sure what the current cost is to build frames, but aluminum is not free, nor are junction boxes, by pass diodes or your time, so all of that is something to keep in mind as well, more so when you are looking at new, either US made or Made In Japan panels that are costing $2.50 per watt or less now, that are UL listed, with frames, junction boxes, quick connect weather proof plugs and a rated watt output that is inline with current standards so you can compare it to other panels more accurately.

09-15-11, 05:28 PM	#3
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	I've got some cheap (Ebay) 125w panels from UL Solar.. http://ecorenovator.org/forum/solar-....html#post6884 Today, they sent me an email ad.. Kinda has me wondering why they just didn't tell me the G-R-E-A-T deal in their email.?. "Dear UL SOLAR Valued Customers, Take advantage of this G-R-E-A-T deal, it won't be here for long. We offer FREE SHIPPING on ALL ITEMS ( USA 48 States Only ). We have closeout deal as low as $1.50 per watt Call NOW 1-888-701-0566 "

09-15-11, 07:28 PM	#4
GaryGary Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SW Montana Posts: 139 Thanks: 1 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts	Hi, Are planning to build frames, or mount them without frames? The SunElectric site seems to say that using frames is optional. Wondering how one would mount a frameless module? The modules are normally made with tempered glass, so they should be pretty strong without the frames. The video on cutting through the back layer to find the hook up points did not look to easy -- will be interested in seeing how this goes for you. 50 cents a watt is pretty nice! Gary

09-23-11, 12:48 PM	#5
philb Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 155 Thanks: 58 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Has anyone here tried to use the Sun laminates?

09-23-11, 01:12 PM	#6
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Check over here.. Laminate panels for .50/watt - Solar Electric Power Discussion Forum by Northern Arizona Wind & Sun