Used low cost solar panels 250 watt $50

May 12, 2021, 09:38:10 pm

Just a heads up for some lower cost used, $0.20 watt solar panels. Only $50 each, 250 watt, 60 cell, 65inchX39inch, monocrystalline solar panels.
A review also of the panes performance by Will Prowse. Since they are located in Gilbert AZ., you may be able to pick them up and avoid the cost of shipping a pallet of panels.

When I've shipped a pallet before, I have saved shipping charges by having them delivered to a local freight yard, instead of my home or business location. Depending how many you buy, this will vary the total cost shipped to you.

If you are only buying a couple, a better final cost each may be found locally. For instance, the fall of 2019, off Craigslist, I bought two used 305 watt Sunpower panels, delivered to my door by the seller for $110 each, or $0.36 watt. They were $100 each, and for $20 he brought them to me. I added these to my 1200 watt LG panel array to increase from 1200 to 1800 watts.

Specifications:
Rated Power: 250W
Open circuit voltage (VOC): 37.6 V
Max power voltage (VMP): 30.3 V
Short circuit current (ISC): 8.85 A
Max power current: 8.27 A
Power Tolerance 0/+3%
Maximum system voltage: 600V (UL)
Fuse Rating: 15 A
IP65 Junction Box w/MC4 Compatible Connectors
Frame: Anodized aluminum alloy
Weight: 41 lbs
Dimensions: 1650 × 992 × 35mm (64.95 × 39.05 × 1.37 inches)

SanTan Solar T Series 250W - SanTan Solar Store SanTan Solar Wholesale Solar...

https://youtu.be/0yDVXJmsowU

Re: Used low cost solar panels 250 watt $50

Reply #1 – May 12, 2021, 11:16:28 pm

If you are thinking about solar for your coach this is one way to do it. These are cheap, used panels with labels removed, probably no warranty, no efficiency specs. Go look very closely at the real estate on the roof of your coach. Cut out cardboard templates to help visualize how they will fit. Are you going to leave room for access to other equipment on the roof? When you are all done how many are there? Five? Maybe six? So 5 panels is 1250 watts, for $250. A good charge controller, perhaps a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/85, is $700. Good cables for parallel installation will be about $250. Fuse block and fuses, circuit breaker adds $90. Cables to the batteries, say 15 ft away, 1 ga with lugs, about $40. Mounting brackets, VHB tape, caulk and other supplies, maybe $125. So now you are up to about $1500 assuming you do the work yourself.

New LG 365 watt panels in the same size, >21% efficiency, 25 yr warranty are $360 each. 4 of these gets you more power (1460 watts) than the 5 $50 panels. All other costs will be about the same. About $2500 total. If you are trying to maximize solar production in a limited space area, the extra money for more watts per panel is worth it. Almost everyone who puts on solar will say later that more would be better. And most will say it is worth doing.

It is a tough choice but a known high quality, high efficiency, long warranty panel is probably worth the extra cost especially if you re paying for someone to do the install. If you are doing it yourself it is not that hard but still a fair number of hours to do.

These used panels would probably be OK in a fixed location but are not suitable for a grid tied installation. But for a backup system they would be good.

There are always ways to do a solar project on your coach for a very minimal budget but never skimp on safety.

Re: Used low cost solar panels 250 watt $50

Reply #2 – May 14, 2021, 11:36:16 am

I think both Roger and Jack have good points. Having installed ours 13 years ago, I can make the following observations.

I warranty on the controller is probably the only thing you have to worry about. The solar panels just sit there and years later, will produce almost the same amount of juice they did when new. Not that much need to have the efficiency figures written on the panels if used as you can always look them up online. Really, all you have to do it see the size and most of the newer panels are the shorter 64 inch instead of the 72 inch we have and then see how many watts they produce. Figure that on Craigslist or Marketplace, the newer panels are going to cost between $0.33 and $0.40 per watt if you do your homework. Our system has worked flawlessly since installed. Most of the costs listed below will be less expensive today with the exception of our Midnite Classic 150 controller. (150 volts, 96 amps). This are the best possible components and we don't have any wires visible on the roof, everything is inside vinyl electrical conduit so tidy and less likely to catch on a tree branch, etc.

I screwed everything down. If you read about the glued down panel that ripped off, you know why. Much easier to remove to paint roof as we did.

While the Chinese panels are really excellent, American, German, Canadian panels are also good but it pays to look for reviews before buying.

Can't think of a thing I would change today if I had it to do again.

Here is a list of prices and sources from 12 or 13 years ago:

If you have thought about a DIY solar installation but the sticker price is too much, here is how I did the whole thing using premium components for under $2000. Tim was wondering about the source and pricing so here it is. Anyone with rudimentary skills can repeat this installation. Not including batteries, I spent about $1477

Solar panels are commercial 36 volt Yingli 72 cell, 285 watt. About 6 1/2' by 3 1/2' with aluminum frame. These are used in solar field all over the world. The price was right and I wanted a panel that could push through tree branches without damage. These have done a great job. Any panel that fits is fine if you do a bit of research. Yingli has replaced this panel with a 320 watt version available at discounters for about $195. Craigslist is a super spot for finding solar panels and the posting will be in your area so no shipping and probably no tax. Same goes for deep cycle/solar batteries. The batteries were new from a solar dealer that went bankrupt. Found on Craigslist.

Please PM with any questions

U300 Solar Installation Costs

(4) 36 volt 72 cell Lingli Commercial 285 watt panels Yingli YL280P-35b - 280 Watt 35 Volt Solar Panel New @ $160/each, no tax, no shipping. Source: Sacramento Craigslist. Panels are approx. 6.5' x 3.5', weigh 65 lbs.

Total: $640 for four panels

Wiring: Solar wire connectors $6 delivered Solar Panel Original MC4 Multi Contact Solar Connectors UL for 10 AWG Wire |...
50 feet red, 50 feet black #10 AGW wire at $23/each delivered. 10 AWG Solar Panel Wire 50 039 Power Cable UL 4703 Copper Made in USA PV...

One Midnite Classic 150 MPPT controller @ $495.79 delivered (I paid $612 delivered)
Midnite Solar Classic 150 SL MPPT Solar Charge Controller Regulator 150V 96A...

Insulated Terminal Bus Bar (2) @ $11.15 Insulated Bus Bar - Terminal - Short

Welding Cable (house batteries to controller): approx 20 feet and $70 Welding Cable • Cut by the Foot from Welding Cable • Cut by the Foot from Welding Cable • Cut by the Foot from [%url]http://www.wireandcableyourway.com/Welding-Cable/[/url%].62/ft | Wire & Cable Your Way.62/ft | Wire & Cable Your Way.61/ft | Wire & Cable Your Way

100 amp breaker $40 Midnite Solar MNEPV 150 VDC 80A and 100A Solar Array Breakers
50 amp breakers (2) @ $12.62/ea Midnite Solar 120VAC Breakers, 10 to 60 Amps
Breaker Box $29 Midnite Solar Baby Box Enclosure for 1-4 Din Rail Breakers

Panel Roof Mount Z brackets six sets @$11.90 delivered, $71.40 total Solar Panel Z Bracket Mounting Mount Flat Roof Wall Aluminum Set 4 Pcs Kit...

Box #8 x 3/4" stainless self tapping screws $8.99 delivered http://www.ebay.com/itm/Qty-100-Phillips-Pan-Head-Self-Drilling-Tek-Screws-Stainless-Steel-8-x-3-4-/152121479703?hash=item236b259217:g:GxoAAOSwQoFWQopM

3 lengths of 1"x 2" .125 wall rectangular tubing @ $16.52/ea Aluminum Rectangular Tube From Cardo Industries | CALL (916) 922-7824

Copper 2/0 welding cable lugs (2) @ $5.36 delivered Forney 60098 Cable Lug, #2/0, Copper for sale online | eBay

250 amp fuse for cable to coach electrical bus $7.19 plus shipping Blue Sea Systems 5107 MEGA Fuse 250 AMP/32 VOLT

Thermoplastic 3/4" flex electrical conduit $23.45 delivered Southwire 3/4in X 25ft Ultratite Flexible Conduit 55094321 for sale online |...

HardieBacker 1/4" cement backerboard $11.47 Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/p/James-Hardie-HardieBacker-3-ft-x-5-ft-x-1-4-in-Cement-Backerboard-220022/100183556

Batteries: 6 new Genesis XE70 with metal case surround batteries were purchased from a bankrupt solar company for $35 each. List is $361 each. Source was Craigslist.
http://www.osibatteries.com/p-996.aspx?searchEngineName=enersys-genesis-pure-lead-xe70-0771-6001-battery-12v-68ah&gclid=Cj0KEQiAt9vEBRDQmPSow-q5gs8BEiQAaWSEDvO0vB08rmhmvSWbRDqPZFz2wQUhUEwpWt7dlkClLdYaAq9N8P8HAQ
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Pierce

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