Solar panels

[VanKitten]

I am trying to get the most watts I possibly can in the space I can use up top.
This is 84" wide and 76" long.   

After a fair amount of research I found a mono panel.   Sunpower Spr-x21-345W. 

I can get two, side by side.    

Except...I can't.   

The two sunpower dealers here will not sell them to me.   Nowhere on the web can I find any place to buy them

I love the idea of getting that much wattage.   My reasons are simple...I may not be in as good a position ever again to afford to max this out.       

So..each time I hit a wall, someone here steps up and shows me the way to get what I want.
Anyone have some ideas?   I am not opposed to another manufacturer...just fearful of xyz company out of china or Korea.   Prefer to buy USA...failing that then strong, dependable company of long standing.    

How can I get 600+ up there in that space?   I looked at the Panasonic 350w...but can only fit just one.

 

[jimindenver]

My 435w panel has a sunpower part number but is sold under the Hightec label. Maybe you could find it that way or call someone like Solar Bills. I know they could get the big ones I had.

 

[VanKitten]

JIm...can you tell me the dimensions? Can I get two up there to get me over 600?
870 sound totally awesome if I can get it.

Where is solar bills?

 

[jimindenver]

Solar Bills is in Quartzsite and I know they said they could get the 435w. It too is not a easy panel to find but since they are a installer they can get panels we can't.

the 435w is 41x81, 5 inches too wide a pair for you.

 

[VanKitten]

I just looked up their website. No solar panels listed.
Contact form says "feel free to contact with email listed below". But no email listed.

What is their business? Install what they sell?
Do they require that they must install them? Only open for 2 more weeks till November. I cannot go down there....Mom cannot be left alone like that.

 

[jimindenver]

hmmmm

It will take a bit but I'll dig up my receipt from my install.

 

[jimindenver]

Not as hard as I thought hehe

solarbills

619 588 9852

I've called and know a person there from Colorado, he did the install of my 435w panel. They can only get the Sunpower panels in by the palet so that's a no go. He is checking on the 435w panels and want's me to call back tomorrow. It would be a 5 inch over hang for the 870w if he can get them. I really enjoy the one on my truck.

By the way, where are you?

 

[VanKitten]

Not as hard as I thought hehe

solarbills

619 588 9852

By the way, where are you?



I am going over to the RV in the morning....I'll see if I can fudge a work around the solar hot water.   Side by side the Width would fit....the length would be the only issue ....but, if I can reconfigure it might work for two.   That would be really superior!  

I am in the Grand Valley....Grand Junction...roughly. RV is usually south of here in Whitewater.    

 

[VanKitten]

My changing the solar hot water configuration, I can get 83 inches the length of the RV.

So..I can get two of theses up there, side by side!!! Yea!. now can I get these panels?

I can configure them either way...84 x 83.

 

[jimindenver]

Sweet!

Now lets hope my friend can come up with them. I could have put two on my roof and had them be a bigger system than the three 250w. A pair should push a 60 MPPT controller during peak hours in the summer, maybe even a bit over paneled.

Keeping fingers crossed.

 

[rvpopeye]

I'm starting to suffer from panel envy again :>(

 

[jimindenver]

As long as you have enough to meet your needs there is no reason to be envious. That said, these panels are the bomb. I found my source right after picking up the three 250w and the greedy side of me thought about replacing them with three 435's. I didn't need the power. It would have required a more complicated mounting system and a huge MPPT controller. Still the thought of 1300w in three panels PLUS the truck....yummy.

It would be nice to have a good source of these. They were $375 when I found them. Add a newer tracer 30a MPPT for under $200, some MC4 10 gauge, the run to the battery with a fuse and switch...a inexpensive, simple system for a van.

 

[Gary68]

have you added up your estimated electrical needs?

 

[VanKitten]

As long as you have enough to meet your needs there is no reason to be envious. That said, these panels are the bomb. I found my source right after  picking up the three 250w and the greedy side of me thought about replacing them with three 435's. I didn't need the power. It would have required a more complicated mounting system and a huge MPPT controller. Still the thought of 1300w in three panels PLUS the truck....yummy.

It would be nice to have a good source of these. They were $375 when I found them. Add a newer tracer 30a MPPT for under $200, some MC4 10 gauge, the run to the battery with a fuse and switch...a inexpensive, simple system for a van.

Should I call them and ask about getting these?   I thought I was going to wait for you...but, maybe I misunderstood.     Since they claim they close in 2 weeks, probably I should not let this wait?

 

[jimindenver]

I just tried calling but they closed early due to the heat. I will try again Monday when they reopen.

 

[VanKitten]

Ah..ok. Thank you again for all your help

 

[VanKitten]

We'll...I contacted Solar Bill yesterday. They tell me they cannot get those 435. Too bad.

Well..I found a place called Solar Wholesale. Asking them what they have that meet my criteria.

This seems to be really tough to do when talking about higher watts panels.

Anyway, the quest continues

 

[jimindenver]

I'll check the source that I got mine from in Albuquerque. He was down to 10 panels when I bought on 1/2/17.

 

[VanKitten]

Ok. Thank you.

I had a fellow from solar warehouse tell me he could get them for me....but...then he sent me a quote for everything except the solar panels?? $3,900 for everything except the panels. Hummmmm

Why is this so hard to buy solar panels?

 

[John61CT]

Large project installers are where the margins are, too much overhead in small transactions for well-capitalized middlemen to bother.

As long as people are allowed to buy direct from China, new industries won't have any supply chain here.

I picked up one of those infrared thermometers on eBay for $2.87, included shipping from Hong Kong, arrived in three days. How does THAT work?

My getting in the car and driving down to Home Depot costs $25+, and they want $17 for the gadget. Then put a value on my time. . .