Ads By CbproAds
|
Renewable EnergyRenewable Energy Information and Resources|
|
US $9.95
|
US $41.61
|
|
 |
Question: What is the most cost-effective place to buy large solar electric panels?
(Posted by: Jack Stone, Manual of Romance on 2009-08-16 14:02:32)
We don't have enough money right now to buy capacity for the whole house, which would probably require about 12 kilowatts. However, I would like to start buying panels toward building up toward that. But I want to buy the most solar panel for the least price. I think that piecing a lot of very small panels together will be a very expensive way to do it. Does anyone know the least expensive way to buy large solar electric panels? |
Answers:
|
Posted by: Nata T on 2009-08-16, 15:13:49
There is none. The price of panels are set by supply and demand. It's like asking for a cheap Prius, why would anyone sell them cheap when there are 1,000,000's lining up to get them. Trust me, wait about 5 years, they will be dirt cheap but still more expensive than buying Nuke energy. |
|
Posted by: cena fan on 2009-08-16, 15:28:40
I think hot and sunny places. mainly being near the equator - asia/ africa are good. |
|
Posted by: roderick_young on 2009-08-16, 20:54:07
These guys seem to have good prices, but I've never personally bought from them. sunelec.com/ One thing to keep in mind is that it costs more to build an expandable system. If your thought was to first put in 1 kW, then add to it slowly, that's going to cost much more than getting the whole thing at once. 12 kW is a large system for a house. If saving money is a concern, are there any conservation measures you can do first? If you haven't done so yet, it's worth getting a professional installer to look at your house and energy bills and bid on a system. You can always decline, but at least that will realistically size your system. Also, large installers can get panels much more cheaply than a consumer can, no matter what, so it's possible that it would cost less to just have someone provide the whole package than to buy parts, yourself. |
|
Posted by: Breath on the Wind on 2009-08-16, 22:18:24
If your aim is to save money install solar thermal panels instead and use them to reduce your energy load. They are more efficient and generally have a shorter pay back period. They can be used for: Air conditioning (absorption system) General Heating Pool heating Hot water To power a stirling engine that can be used to run a generator and produce electricity. This may work well with an Air Conditioning system heat by product. Vacuum tube collectors will work in colder weather or cloudy days. |
|
Posted by: ericnutsch on 2009-08-17, 09:29:29
When you are buying panels in a large quantity(12kw), it is possible to get a much lower price than the listed retail. Probably lower than you would think. I would not recomend buying a few panels here and a few panels there. You may save money; you may not. What will happen, however, is that you will end up with a system of mismatched panels that you wont be able to get the specified power out of. For instance: if you have three panels in parallel a 17v panel, a 23v panel, and a 26v panel = will add up to 17v and if you have three panels in series 8A panel, a 9A panel and a 7.5A panel = will add up to 7.5A The panel will the smallest current and the smallest voltage will control your power output. You will probably have to have 15kw in missmatch panels to power a 12kw system. The best way to ensure this doesnt happen is to get panels of all the same brand and model. Panel prices are at an all time low thanks to the summer 09 international market; and there is a 30% federal tax incentive in the United States; so you have picked a good time to go shopping. I would recommend getting an inverter and the maximum amount of panels for that inverter. If you want to add panels at a later time I would add an additional inverter with its maximum number of panels. Give Aurora Power & Design a call at toll free 877-337-2490 and we would be glad to give you an estimate. Hope that helps! |
|
Posted by: Amy on 2009-08-17, 12:44:58
Great answers here. Just to summarize, in order of priority: 1) Reduce usage first. For every $1 you spend on conservation, that's about $4 less you need to spend on your solar system. It costs less to use less electricity than to make your own. 2) Research solar hot water. Solar hot water is ~ 85% efficient, as opposed to ~20% for solar electric. You get a better bang for your buck installing solar thermal than solar electric. 3) Install solar electric. Prices for solar panels have dropped dramatically this year as the demand in Europe has dropped and people are having trouble getting home equity loans in the US. You can get better pricing if you buy by the pallet (depending on the panel, 20 - 30 panels). You are right that you don't need to generate all that you use, and if you do steps 1 and 2, you'll be using less anyways. |
|
Posted by: solar power on 2009-08-19, 06:16:03
Http:/ / solarenergy-solarpower.com is providing all the information and products you need to start your own solar power project. |
|
Posted by: John on 2009-08-20, 11:40:14
Amazon is the cheapest If I were you I would buy the first from here: amazon.com/ gp/ redirect.html?ie= UTF8 &location= http%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26x%3D0%26ref%255F%3Dnb%255Fss%26y%3D0%26field-keywords%3Dsolar%2520panel%26url%3Dsearch-alias%253Daps &tag= wirelesscompu-20 &linkCode= ur2 &camp= 1789 &creative= 390957 |
Powered by Yahoo! Answers®
Back to Previous page
|
|
