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SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels ?
By Opera House, Section Solar Posted on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 11:50:58 AM MST
Which technology is best

I'm looking to add another panel to my system. I've noticed that new SOLARTECH panels trade at a discount to other brand name used panels like Kyrocera and Sharp on ebay. Is there a history of these panels being less reliable because of construction. I used to think the choice was just Si wafer or thin film printed panels. What are advantages of Mono or Multi Crystalline type cells. Solartech offers both in three styles of construction with no explanation. I haven't seen this discussed.

SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels ? | 10 comments (10 topical)

Re: SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by ghurd on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 07:24:42 AM MST

They are a new (not a name brand) company. They have no history!

Looks like they are an import company, instead of a true manufacturer. Many of the 'name brands' are about the same thing. It does not bother me, as long as the PVs are well made.

Mono or multi. I never saw a real difference. Either is fine.
Efficiency and W^2m are silly comparisons, or I couldn't buy an 80W muliti in a smaller package than a 75W mono.
Mono tends to cost more, but not always. Even in the same brand and watt PV.
I read mono may last longer in theory, or are less fragile, but not sure how true that is. The PVs wearing out today are antique technology compared to the new PVs. I have seen smashed frames, and smashed glass on working multi PVs.

I recall some talk about one being better in higher temperatures. Not a local concern. If a 10% drop in high temp output is a big concern, then the system is not big enough IMHO.
G-
Ghurd.info

Re: SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by dnix71 on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 10:39:33 AM MST

Yeah, they are inexpensive. A 20 watt panel and shipping is $7 a watt. I found a 125 watt panel on a different site for $475. They have UL certs, too, so you could use them commercially.
The economy must be bad. I read somewhere else that prices would be dropping about 20% this year.

Re: SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by brokengun on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 11:01:40 AM MST

Anyone heard anything about these new thin film PV panels? Companies like Nano Solar and some others were predicting around $1 a watt prices within the near future. I don't think they are commercially available yet.

Even a little toy thin film PV cell would be nice to see!

[ Parent ]

Re: SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by ghurd on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 12:40:47 PM MST

Shall we say the film is FREE?

Cost of low iron tempered glass for an 50W PV. Frame. UL listed box with terminal strip. Labor costs to assemble. Cost of the shipping box (don't laugh- boxes are not cheap). Advertising.
Shipping from the factory to the wholesale distributor. Shipping from the wholesale distributor to the retailer. Shipping from the retailer to the end user.
Overhead and labor costs for the factory, wholesale distributor, and retailer.
Profits for the factory, wholesale distributor, and retailer.

And the end user pays $1 / watt? Don't hold your breath!

Those news stories are perpetuated as a means of free advertising through misdeception.
I do not recall a story that compared the cost of the "$1/W panels" to the cost of current technology.
They always say the cells or film can be made for a cost of $1/W, and compare that to the current retail of assembled panels at retail prices.

It would not amaze me if the cost to make cells or thin-film is already down to $1/W, if they compare apples to apple.

End Rant?

HF has the 12V 1.5W thin film for $12 every other week. Big fun.
G-
Ghurd.info
[ Parent ]

Re: SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by dnix71 on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 03:04:55 PM MST

The dollar a watt stuff is supposed to be printed on plastic or paper. No glsss or frames. Very light and more durable. Maybe not a dollar a watt, but close. Even the clunky poly stuff on tempered glass is little more than $2.50 a watt on sale at SunElectronics in Miami.

It would be nice to just hang it up like wall paper to make power. The efficiency is much lower, but if the cost is low enough, then it would be much easier for roof installations, esp. in places like the Gulf Coast of the US, where hurricane strikes can very quickly destroy your investment.

[ Parent ]

Re: SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by richhagen on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 03:30:07 PM MST

I bought some of the Sun50 panels, with shipping the last batch, the first batch of 4 was $2.96 per Watt to my door. One panel was broken and the another two scuffed up. The second batch of 12, plus a no fuss replacement panel sent by Sun Electronics, which I still have to pick up - although I have been informed it is at the local warehouse, was about $2.83 per Watt to my door. They are nice panels, with the following exceptions, they do not have bipass diodes, and they do not have UL stickers. Also, the junction box is not conduit ready, but does have two single wire connector fittings per panel. I do not think one will likely do too much better than that in the near future on price, but who knows. I am adding bipass diodes in parallel with the 36 Cell strings. Rich

P.S. There minimum order size is 4 panels, so if any of the regulars want to pitch in on an order to get one or two panels to check out, I would consider adding them to an order, and they would pay the actual prorated costs to get the panels to me, plus the actual cost of insured shipping to them. I would do the same for a few of our regulars overseas as well, although I expect that the shipping would be significant. Rich
'A Joule saved is a Joule made'
[ Parent ]

Re: SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by brokengun on Tue Feb 03, 2009 at 08:54:22 PM MST

I know that there are overhead costs with this stuff, I'm just wondering about the thin film products that are available. Yeah, I agree $1 a watt is pretty crazy cheap but even anywhere close to that is a step in a good direction.

[ Parent ]

Re: SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by s4w2099 on Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 11:01:57 AM MST

you quoted some boxes for your controller?

I quoted some for mine, and they arent really friendly price wise.

[ Parent ]

Re: SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by fungus on Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 06:02:52 AM MST

A year ago they were saying the film ones would be 25c/watt ..

'Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.'-Albert Einstein
Fungus - www.reenergy.co.uk

And,,,,,Do you get them ? (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by Opera House on Wed Feb 04, 2009 at 10:28:02 AM MST

I just bought a little panel for about $7 a watt shipped. I can't complain when I can get a panel to my door for less than $20. This little one is to keep a charge on the battery when I leave and take the bigger ones in for a couple weeks. They are in a precarious location and have already lost a windshield in high winds. I'd been looking on ebay at ASUNPOWER that has been selling some 80W SOLARTECH panels for about $230 with $60 shipping for a couple of weeks. In checking out the feedback I noticed that there were no comments for 80W panels. Finally today there is one that says he doesn't have the panels and that they will be dropped shipped. Tend to be a little sensitive about that. My very first purchase on ebay was a solar panel which I never did receive, a guy waiting to get enough orders first.

SOLARTECH Multi/MonoCrystalline Poly-Si Panels ? | 10 comments (10 topical)

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