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Topic: Hightec Solar Panels (Read 897 times) previous topic - next topic

Hightec Solar Panels

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?

Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #1 –
I'd be surprised if anyone is using 12 volt panels.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #4 –
Splitting hairs same panel as I posted on eBay for $175 delivered.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #5 –
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.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #6 –
Quote from: craneman –
I'd be surprised if anyone is using 12 volt panels.

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

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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #7 –
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.
1998 U320 40'
2005 GMC Yukon
MC# 17609

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #8 –
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
Miami based: Sun Electronics  Sun Electronics – World's Lowest Solar Panel Prices
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #9 –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart date=15 98124874 link=msg=400450
No advantage to a panel with RV on it except it probably costs more.

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.  :))
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #11 –
Quote from: MisterEd –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #13 –
Rv panel voltages are lower.  Less dangerous.  High voltage and amps can be dangerous.  I think residential needs conduit to run in?
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
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
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #15 –
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 &...

Naturally,  you have to size the wire for the load. But that's not rocket science.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Hightec Solar Panels

Reply #16 –
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.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country