A question about solar

[She]

I can't find any post about this except for 1 question somewhere. Has anybody made there own solar panel? I was told it wasn't very hard as long as you take your time. I wonder if its worth it?

 

[sidat202]

Im still learning about solar myself, but from what I have learned so far. I dont think you can build one and save that much money. I was told you can buy factory seconds for less money. They are suppose to work just as good and have the same warranty. Maybe thats something to look into. That is what Im planning to do. The biggest thing about building your own is sealing it to keep the moisture out.<br />&nbsp; I have seen some videos on Utube about building them. You might check that out.

 

[akrvbob]

There was a time when it was worth it to make your own. But the prices on panels have dropped so much I don't think that is true anymore. <br /><br />I've seen them for less than $1 a watt at the lowest and $1.50 is pretty easy to do. At that price I think you are better off buying and getting a 25 year warranty. Bob<br /><br />I just blogged on doing a solar install, see it here:<br /><br />http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/

 

[She]

Yeah thats what I thought. I went through&nbsp;eBay&nbsp;and after adding all the items together there really&nbsp;wasn't&nbsp;much of a difference. I read your blog today Bob ,very helpful. Thanks for posting it. I dont plan on putting that many watts up there but I know to get a MPPT. Im not putting a rack up there either so I want something thin that can't be seen to easily.

 

[VanTrekker]

<p>The MPPT will help you the most if your panel is rated at a higher voltage...&nbsp; I am seeing a large savings with the MPPT charge controller on my panel.&nbsp; Even laying flat on the roof (instead of tilted toward the sun), it generates about 190-200+ watts most of the day.&nbsp; Not bad for a panel rated at 235 watts.<br /><br />If you have a smaller panel with the voltage rated in the teens, the MPPT won't give you&nbsp;much extra benefit but it won't hurt, either.</p><p>Like the others, I would go the commercial route for the panel.&nbsp; They have come down a lot in price and, like Bob said, a warranty is nice!&nbsp; I am also concerned about liability.&nbsp; I've had my panel up to 72 miles per hour on the top of the van's ladder rack and feel it is very strong and safe, even sitting well above the roof.&nbsp; Should the worst case scenario happen and it fly off, I would rather explain to State Farm that it was an approved RV style panel...<br /><br />Nonetheless, if you do build a panel, please let us know how it goes!&nbsp; There is a lot of solar interest here.<br /><br />VT</p>

 

[She]

Thanks Brad.&nbsp;<img src="../images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" />&nbsp;