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Not portable... But I bought the 6 pack of these in 2020 for $450, and have been running my tiny house off of them ever since. They're actually underrated. In perfect conditions I have touched 700w of input off 600w of rated panels.
Lot of questions about solar here - definitely worth learning before you jump in. Go look at will prowse on YouTube, he's got an insane amount of really great content. Here's a link to a beginner diy setup.
MOES Dual Power Controller 50A 5500 Watt Automatic Transfer Switch for Off Grid Solar Wind System ATS DC 12V 24V 48V AC 110V 220V. https://a.co/d/10zUkFZ
I use this for my RV solar setup. Works well when plugged into shore power if you want to supplement with solar.
Jayro the rated 50a is that from the solar side only and the mains electric company can be 200a. Or 50amp total regardless of which input.
If 50amp total then not sure how the automatic helps when homes are 200a
From what I see it will need a lot more than it's worth.
I've been looking into this also trying to cut down cost. Look like I'd need to spend about 6 or $700 on the solar panels. Than a few more hundreds on the structure. About $100 on the charger and $1k or so on the batteries. Maybe another $100 or $200 to convert all that battery power back to 220VAC or 110VAC for practical house use. Look about right?
Is there any device that can automatically switch to use the grid power 220VAC for when the battery is drained?
If you're looking for more than 300 watts of PV, you're far better off buying normal panels. For example, many 400 watt panels can be purchased now for around $170. And yes, there are hybrid inverter panels that accept solar panel input, charge batteries, and can then draw from the grid when your battery hit a predetermined cut off level. There are also hybrid chargers that can also tie into the grid, so if your utility offers metering you can use the utility as your main "battery" and have a smaller lithium ion battery bank for emergencies.
Isn't the life of the $70 one half gone? Also don't solar panels lose efficiency over time? Doesn't seem like a great deal
Solar panels typically lose about 0.5-0.7% power production per year while in service.
Solar panels in general typically only produce about 75% of the rated wattage in real world usage, a 200 watt panel will be producing about (0.05% x 12years = 0.6%)x 150 = 141 watts, $70 or $0.4965 per watt. Brand new modern monosilicon panels, even bifacial panels that produce more than their frontal rating, are selling for under $0.50 a watt. (A biggest issue is the price of shipping, as it is with every normal size solar panel)
So you're absolutely correct, this really isn't a very good deal unless you need a single panel and don't care at all about the quality.
This is because you're buying a panel that is bigger and takes up more space while simultaneously being heavier, produces less power, is long out of warranty, 1/3 through its functional lifetime, and is far more likely to have sustained damage or other malfunction, and -still- costs almost as much as a brand new panel per watt.
caveat emptor.
Last edited by OmahaJeff February 7, 2023 at 06:54 PM.
Check sales tax. Amazon looks to be charging sales tax to MN but I don't think they should be.
2022 Minnesota Statutes UTILITIES Chapter 216C Section 216C.06 §Subd. 17.
Solar energy system.
"Solar energy system" means a set of devices whose primary purpose is to collect solar energy and convert and store it for useful purposes including heating and cooling buildings or other energy-using processes, or to produce generated power by means of any combination of collecting, transferring, or converting solar-generated energy.
This will prob be my stepping stone purchase into solar and only currently have a Bluetti and EcoFlow but would like to build out a system past just those two portable units.
From what I understand the 2 companies sourced their panels from the same manufacturer. I have a small 30 watt HQST panel I use for my mobile power station and the quality has been great.
I also have a 100 watt Renogy panel, I can't really tell the difference.
I'm not sure about them being the same company because their other product lines are different.
Last edited by graphixv February 7, 2023 at 09:05 PM.
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[QUOTE=workerant;161550052]From what I see it will need a lot more than it's worth.
I've been looking into this also trying to cut down cost. Look like I'd need to spend about 6 or $700 on the solar panels. Than a few more hundreds on the structure. About $100 on the charger and $1k or so on the batteries. Maybe another $100 or $200 to convert all that battery power back to 220VAC or 110VAC for practical house use. Look about right?
Yep, for most folks this wouldn't really be worth it unless you are WAY out in the middle of nowhere, and your other option is lugging gallons of fuel to a generator. At least this way, you could charge a couple of batteries and always have some power. Also, you can buy direct current powered devices, and power them directly. Many of our household electric devices actually run on direct current anyway - they just change the alternating current at your outlet to direct current and lower voltage in the device. There are loads of direct current devices you can buy to run directly off of a car's cigarette lighter (12 volts) or directly off of a solar panel's power, or directly from a battery that the solar panel charges.
From what I see it will need a lot more than it's worth.
I've been looking into this also trying to cut down cost. Look like I'd need to spend about 6 or $700 on the solar panels. Than a few more hundreds on the structure. About $100 on the charger and $1k or so on the batteries. Maybe another $100 or $200 to convert all that battery power back to 220VAC or 110VAC for practical house use. Look about right?
Yep, for most folks this wouldn't really be worth it unless you are WAY out in the middle of nowhere, and your other option is lugging gallons of fuel to a generator. At least this way, you could charge a couple of batteries and always have some power. Also, you can buy direct current powered devices, and power them directly. Many of our household electric devices actually run on direct current anyway - they just change the alternating current at your outlet to direct current and lower voltage in the device. There are loads of direct current devices you can buy to run directly off of a car's cigarette lighter (12 volts) or directly off of a solar panel's power, or directly from a battery that the solar panel charges.
Well, I don't know about your area, but around here in IN we spend tons of money just on fees and taxes and "riders" on utilities. On some of my utilities the taxes and fees are more than the unit cost of what we used. It's ridiculous. And the thing about taxes and fees is that they keep going up.
I don't think a few thousand, or even 4K on a starter system is very much compared to being held "hostage" by the state.
We're mellow compared to most people on our electrical use, coming in around the lower 25% bracket. Even our bill is probably $1000 or more a year. That's what you get when taxes and fees represent a huge hunk of the bill.
I have some solar now but a poor lot to implement it in a large way. When I move, I'm sticking my nose up at these utilities, taxes and fees. 4K well spent and black out free to boot. But, I would not be using the 100 watt panels I have now- like these. I'd use more like 275 36 volt. Most cheaper mppt controllers can handle 24 or 36 volts. If your panel system is large enough, you may just have to install multiple controllers, one for each group.
Last edited by graphixv February 8, 2023 at 12:25 PM.
I am planning to install DIY solar panel installation on my detached Gazebo in backyard.
I will be using a battery with solar panels and planning to keep it under the gazebo in a box to save it from water.
Question , is it safe to keep the battery outside? Specifically in Chicago weather? Anything I can do to protect the battery or any specific type of battery I should buy for this weather?
I am planning to install DIY solar panel installation on my detached Gazebo in backyard.
I will be using a battery with solar panels and planning to keep it under the gazebo in a box to save it from water.
Question , is it safe to keep the battery outside? Specifically in Chicago weather? Anything I can do to protect the battery or any specific type of battery I should buy for this weather?
Best battery to use in that condition is a plain Jane deep cycle lead acid battery. Lithium is not to be charged in freezing conditions, but lead acid is fine with it. In fact, you need to charge the LA to keep it from being discharged and turning to water. That would cause it to freeze.
Insulate your box but put in a very small vent to allow air to circulate. I mean like a vent the size of a nickel. Seal the rest. Use lithium grease on all the contacts to stop corrosion. Don't forget to top off the distilled water every year.
Last edited by graphixv February 8, 2023 at 12:44 PM.
They had full output and looked brand new although I believe the ones I choose were about 4 years old. Craigslist is a good source if you just need a few. I wanted 10.
They work out to be .37/watt based on being 12 years old. For me it was well worth it.
Last edited by iworkout February 8, 2023 at 06:30 PM.
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They had full output and looked brand new although I believe the ones I choose were about 4 years old. Craigslist is a good source if you just need a few. I wanted 10.
They work out to be .37/watt based on being 12 years old. For me it was well worth it.
those are 6' 1/2 tall tho 😆
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I use this for my RV solar setup. Works well when plugged into shore power if you want to supplement with solar.
If 50amp total then not sure how the automatic helps when homes are 200a
Bulk will be cheaper if a person calls and no fee for will call pickups.
I've been looking into this also trying to cut down cost. Look like I'd need to spend about 6 or $700 on the solar panels. Than a few more hundreds on the structure. About $100 on the charger and $1k or so on the batteries. Maybe another $100 or $200 to convert all that battery power back to 220VAC or 110VAC for practical house use. Look about right?
Is there any device that can automatically switch to use the grid power 220VAC for when the battery is drained?
Solar panels in general typically only produce about 75% of the rated wattage in real world usage, a 200 watt panel will be producing about (0.05% x 12years = 0.6%)x 150 = 141 watts, $70 or $0.4965 per watt. Brand new modern monosilicon panels, even bifacial panels that produce more than their frontal rating, are selling for under $0.50 a watt. (A biggest issue is the price of shipping, as it is with every normal size solar panel)
So you're absolutely correct, this really isn't a very good deal unless you need a single panel and don't care at all about the quality.
This is because you're buying a panel that is bigger and takes up more space while simultaneously being heavier, produces less power, is long out of warranty, 1/3 through its functional lifetime, and is far more likely to have sustained damage or other malfunction, and -still- costs almost as much as a brand new panel per watt.
caveat emptor.
2022 Minnesota Statutes UTILITIES Chapter 216C Section 216C.06 §Subd. 17.
Solar energy system.
"Solar energy system" means a set of devices whose primary purpose is to collect solar energy and convert and store it for useful purposes including heating and cooling buildings or other energy-using processes, or to produce generated power by means of any combination of collecting, transferring, or converting solar-generated energy.
This will prob be my stepping stone purchase into solar and only currently have a Bluetti and EcoFlow but would like to build out a system past just those two portable units.
I also have a 100 watt Renogy panel, I can't really tell the difference.
I'm not sure about them being the same company because their other product lines are different.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
I've been looking into this also trying to cut down cost. Look like I'd need to spend about 6 or $700 on the solar panels. Than a few more hundreds on the structure. About $100 on the charger and $1k or so on the batteries. Maybe another $100 or $200 to convert all that battery power back to 220VAC or 110VAC for practical house use. Look about right?
Yep, for most folks this wouldn't really be worth it unless you are WAY out in the middle of nowhere, and your other option is lugging gallons of fuel to a generator. At least this way, you could charge a couple of batteries and always have some power. Also, you can buy direct current powered devices, and power them directly. Many of our household electric devices actually run on direct current anyway - they just change the alternating current at your outlet to direct current and lower voltage in the device. There are loads of direct current devices you can buy to run directly off of a car's cigarette lighter (12 volts) or directly off of a solar panel's power, or directly from a battery that the solar panel charges.
I've been looking into this also trying to cut down cost. Look like I'd need to spend about 6 or $700 on the solar panels. Than a few more hundreds on the structure. About $100 on the charger and $1k or so on the batteries. Maybe another $100 or $200 to convert all that battery power back to 220VAC or 110VAC for practical house use. Look about right?
Yep, for most folks this wouldn't really be worth it unless you are WAY out in the middle of nowhere, and your other option is lugging gallons of fuel to a generator. At least this way, you could charge a couple of batteries and always have some power. Also, you can buy direct current powered devices, and power them directly. Many of our household electric devices actually run on direct current anyway - they just change the alternating current at your outlet to direct current and lower voltage in the device. There are loads of direct current devices you can buy to run directly off of a car's cigarette lighter (12 volts) or directly off of a solar panel's power, or directly from a battery that the solar panel charges.
I don't think a few thousand, or even 4K on a starter system is very much compared to being held "hostage" by the state.
We're mellow compared to most people on our electrical use, coming in around the lower 25% bracket. Even our bill is probably $1000 or more a year. That's what you get when taxes and fees represent a huge hunk of the bill.
I have some solar now but a poor lot to implement it in a large way. When I move, I'm sticking my nose up at these utilities, taxes and fees. 4K well spent and black out free to boot. But, I would not be using the 100 watt panels I have now- like these. I'd use more like 275 36 volt. Most cheaper mppt controllers can handle 24 or 36 volts. If your panel system is large enough, you may just have to install multiple controllers, one for each group.
I will be using a battery with solar panels and planning to keep it under the gazebo in a box to save it from water.
Question , is it safe to keep the battery outside? Specifically in Chicago weather? Anything I can do to protect the battery or any specific type of battery I should buy for this weather?
I will be using a battery with solar panels and planning to keep it under the gazebo in a box to save it from water.
Question , is it safe to keep the battery outside? Specifically in Chicago weather? Anything I can do to protect the battery or any specific type of battery I should buy for this weather?
Insulate your box but put in a very small vent to allow air to circulate. I mean like a vent the size of a nickel. Seal the rest. Use lithium grease on all the contacts to stop corrosion. Don't forget to top off the distilled water every year.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29453257...Swg~
They had full output and looked brand new although I believe the ones I choose were about 4 years old. Craigslist is a good source if you just need a few. I wanted 10.
They work out to be .37/watt based on being 12 years old. For me it was well worth it.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29453257...Swg~
They had full output and looked brand new although I believe the ones I choose were about 4 years old. Craigslist is a good source if you just need a few. I wanted 10.
They work out to be .37/watt based on being 12 years old. For me it was well worth it.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!