Almost a Dollar a Watt.

doug30293 · 08-09-15, 02:38 PM

I just came across this:

Grape Solar 100-Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel for RV's, Boats and 12-Volt Systems-GS-Star-100W - The Home Depot

I don't know much about solar panels in general or anything about Grape Solar. $119.99 includes shipping and you can have them shipped to the store or your home. I consider store shipment a better option. If Fedex trashes the panels I can refuse them and not have to fight a three way battle with two repellent corporations.

The sale ends Friday 8/14/15.

Related subject:

Am I correct in understanding that MPPT controllers allow series connection of the panels? This would reduce line losses, making panel placement less of a problem.

NiHaoMike · 08-09-15, 07:03 PM

Here's one that might be even cheaper depending on shipping rates:
SolarWorld Plus SW 260 Poly 260W Poly SLV/WHT non-BAA Solar Panel

doug30293 · 08-09-15, 07:54 PM

That is a big panel. Truck shipment from California on one or two panels would be high. For a big installation they would be cost effective.

These are probably better for a home roof than the top of a camp trailer bouncing down the highway.

MN Renovator · 08-09-15, 09:28 PM

One is a 36 cell 18v(lower under load or MPPT) panel designed for connection to a battery(via a solar charge controller) and another is a 60-cell panel with a higher voltage designed for operation in a string with an inverter. I've seen systems in Home Power magazine not too long ago designed to interface batteries with higher voltage panels but usually the charge controllers are more expensive, so there's a trade-off. If one or a few 100 watt 12v panels do the job in parallel, that's probably the best way to go but 36 cell panels are a lower volume product and generally cost more per watt.

IMHO, I consider $1.20 per watt shipped to be a great deal. My 280 watt SolarWorld Plus modules(60 cell) were just over $1/watt dropped off at my house by a local distributer but I don't think that distributor sells to non-installers and if they do, it's not at that price. I'd have to ask them though, I haven't. They were priced at a bit of a premium because they were the highest wattage units available and were picked from units giving the highest flash test result while others were producing 270 or 275. Less than one year later they now sell 300 watt 60-cell modules.

08-09-15, 02:38 PM	#1
doug30293 Too Many Projects Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: georgia Posts: 91 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Almost a Dollar a Watt. I just came across this: Grape Solar 100-Watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel for RV's, Boats and 12-Volt Systems-GS-Star-100W - The Home Depot I don't know much about solar panels in general or anything about Grape Solar. $119.99 includes shipping and you can have them shipped to the store or your home. I consider store shipment a better option. If Fedex trashes the panels I can refuse them and not have to fight a three way battle with two repellent corporations. The sale ends Friday 8/14/15. Related subject: Am I correct in understanding that MPPT controllers allow series connection of the panels? This would reduce line losses, making panel placement less of a problem.

08-09-15, 07:03 PM	#2
NiHaoMike Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,154 Thanks: 14 Thanked 257 Times in 241 Posts	Here's one that might be even cheaper depending on shipping rates: SolarWorld Plus SW 260 Poly 260W Poly SLV/WHT non-BAA Solar Panel __________________ To my surprise, shortly after Naomi Wu gave me a bit of fame for making good use of solar power, Allie Moore got really jealous of her...

08-09-15, 07:54 PM	#3
doug30293 Too Many Projects Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: georgia Posts: 91 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	That is a big panel. Truck shipment from California on one or two panels would be high. For a big installation they would be cost effective. These are probably better for a home roof than the top of a camp trailer bouncing down the highway.

08-09-15, 09:28 PM	#4
MN Renovator Less usage=Cheaper bills Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 939 Thanks: 41 Thanked 116 Times in 90 Posts	One is a 36 cell 18v(lower under load or MPPT) panel designed for connection to a battery(via a solar charge controller) and another is a 60-cell panel with a higher voltage designed for operation in a string with an inverter. I've seen systems in Home Power magazine not too long ago designed to interface batteries with higher voltage panels but usually the charge controllers are more expensive, so there's a trade-off. If one or a few 100 watt 12v panels do the job in parallel, that's probably the best way to go but 36 cell panels are a lower volume product and generally cost more per watt. IMHO, I consider $1.20 per watt shipped to be a great deal. My 280 watt SolarWorld Plus modules(60 cell) were just over $1/watt dropped off at my house by a local distributer but I don't think that distributor sells to non-installers and if they do, it's not at that price. I'd have to ask them though, I haven't. They were priced at a bit of a premium because they were the highest wattage units available and were picked from units giving the highest flash test result while others were producing 270 or 275. Less than one year later they now sell 300 watt 60-cell modules.