Shopping for 1200w of solar for our install this fall. Found these reviewed on several websites and like the idea that, as their web states, "Americas largest 12v panel manufacturing plant committed to bringing the latest technology and highest quality panels available directly to the public." Assembled in Michigan City, Indiana. Only sold direct and I'll share what I learn about technology and price. Anyone here used them?
I'd be surprised if anyone is using 12 volt panels.
I have these on my coach. I liked the the size and the ability to tilt for efficiency and cleaning the roof. No problem keeping my batteries charged, off grid 98% of the time. Everyone's power needs are different...
1- 180 Watt 12 Volt Battery Charger Solar Panel Off Grid RV Boat 180 watt... (https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-180-Watt-12-Volt-Battery-Charger-Solar-Panel-Off-Grid-RV-Boat-180-watt-total-/272812576939)
200W 36 Cell 12V Nominal Solar Panel - 5 Busbar (https://www.continuousresources.com/collections/solar-panels-and-hardware/products/200w-36-cell-12v-nominal-solar-panel-5-busbar)
Splitting hairs same panel as I posted on eBay for $175 delivered.
Yes, agree. I'm trying to get 1200w and it looks like I can squeeze these on our 34' roof while maintaining minimal ability to still walk around them.
Most panels today are 36 or 48 volts. You would only need three of these commercial size 380 watt panels to get close to 1200 watts. 19.5% efficiency so quite a bit better than the 12V These are the same size as ours and about 100 watts more for each panel. Four of these would give me 1520 potential watts. Trina 380W Solar Panel 72 cell PowerXT-355R-PD - A1 Solar Store (https://a1solarstore.com/trina-380w-pv-module-ts4-connector-pv-wire-tsm-380-de14a-ll.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4f35BRDBARIsAPePBHy9l3xqyw6lHTn4KfgJCNCy7gAzhJIJTTkfhHgRQ_JvybDTmeArd5oaAhQ_EALw_wcB)
Controllers don't care about voltage and you can get them for 150 volts input or more. The higher the voltage, the smaller the wires down to the controller have to be.
Even if you took the trouble to tilt the panels so they were perpendicular to the sun at local noon. as soon as the sun moved, the output would go down. A little more gain but not worth the trouble or risk.
Pierce
If you decide to get the residential panels instead of the 12 volt RV panels. Look at Craigslist. There were some pretty good deals in the Las Vegas area. Likely to have some in the Tampa area of Florida.
I have zero experience with Hightec PV panels, but have been buying and installing PV for close to 30 years. (I'm not a commercial installer) Over that time, the best places I've found to by from listed below. I always buy "B" grade panels (blems), or used of fairly recent manufacture. Of most of the B panels I've bought, one has to look closely to find the cosmetic defects. They're typically rated for full A grade output. We have 8x250W used Sunpower panels on our coach. I bought them from San Tan Solar.
Greg
Phoenix based: San Tan Solar Summer Sale | 25% Off SanTan 250W Panels | SanTan Solar (http://www.santansolar.com/25-off-santan-250w-sale/)
Miami based: Sun Electronics Sun Electronics – World's Lowest Solar Panel Prices (https://sunelec.com/)
No advantage to a panel with RV on it except it probably costs more. A lot of the residential panels 65"x 39") have edges designed to fit in a special mount, others have the aluminum structure all around them. The commercial panels (solar farm) are 77"x 39". The commercial panels are perhaps a little heavier but quite rugged.
Pierce
I couldn't agree more. In fact, I wasn't aware there were RV specific PV panels, nor can I think of any legitimate reason for there to be.
Must be kind of like OTA TV antennas certified for HD reception. :))
Most the commercial panels have "not for RV use" in the advertisement. Probably for legal reasons.
Pierce
Frequent Questions (https://amsolar.com/diy-rv-solar-instructions/edfaq)
Rv panel voltages are lower. Less dangerous. High voltage and amps can be dangerous. I think residential needs conduit to run in?
But no one I can think of uses 12V panels plus to save a big voltage loss, the 12V panels would have to be run in series to avoid the loss. We have lots of 118V Romex running through the coach so with any kind of care, the installation of higher voltage panels is not a big deal. I was disappointed in Foretravel's 110V wiring as it is very sloppy compared to their very neat 12V work. As you can see from my photos, I ran the already voltage rated solar wires through flex electrical conduit for an extra bit of protection, both electrical and mechanical. In the compartment behind the controller where the wires come down from the roof, I lined the inside with Hardie Board with all the bus connections screwed through the Hardie into the wood behind it.
Again, the solar wires are rated for a much higher voltage than will be seen so there is not much chance of a short here. If you run the 36 volt panels in parallel, the most you could get would be a 36 volt shock so it's no where near the dangerous intermediate 110v to 440v range that requires a defib unit to restart your heart. I did a series/parallel installation so have about 72 volts going to the controller. Shocked myself several times installing it hot but no big deal. Would have been smarter to put a tarp over the panels but I usually work on the house wiring hot too. Yes, not too smart.
Pierce
In answering the safety aspect, the #10 solar wire here is rated for 600 volts, and may be use in direct burial, wet or dry and allowable ampacity: 40 Amps at 90°C Wet/Dry Not much of a risk for the RV or occupants. 10 AWG Solar PV Photvoltaic -XLP/USE-2 or RHH/RHW-2 Building Wire | Wire &... (https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/10-awg-solar-pv-photvoltaic-ul4703-wire.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhIP6BRCMARIsALu9LfmBeqC_SKq9horqiD3mE3xPnKq5g7JtKCR_mCiOFaOXPlyYc9E_RWMaAoYfEALw_wcB)
Naturally, you have to size the wire for the load. But that's not rocket science.
Pierce
I have 72 volt 128 cell panels 420 watt ea. Came down with #6 fine strand to the controller, then to the battery bank.?Panels are in parallel. They will bite you on a good sunny day.