i have been searching around for good prices on panels for a while now...i found some local and some that would have to be shipped.
the local ones are non-branded suntech, 250w, 72 cells, 24v (34+v @ 7+a). the guy doesn't have any spec sheets/literature for them and is offering his own 5 yr warranty. the cost is $2.50/w plus tax. total is about $2.70/w.
the shipped ones are BP, 175w, 24v, (36+v @ almost 5a). the seller claims they have the 5 yr warranty on workmanship and the 25 yr on power (90% @ 12 yrs, 80% @ 25 yrs). cost is just over $2/w plus shipping for a total of about $2.70/w.
for all intents and purposes, the 2 are of equal price. if i bought 3 BP's, i'd get slightly more power for the same cost due to decreased shipping on 3 panels, but don't know if i want to start off w/ an odd # of panels. they would be series w/ a MPPT controller (into 24v battery), so for now it wouldn't be a problem, but maybe in the future if i add on.
i'm a bit worried about the no warranty on the suntech's. if one was to buy branded suntech's, is there a warranty on them? does a warranty really do much good 10 yrs from now? i mean, do i have to pay to ship the panels back to get a pro-rated discount on new ones and pay to have them shipped to me again?
any opinions/advice will be appreciated, thanks.
Dave