diy solar panels
Whats the difference between a DIY solar panel system and a commercially installed system?
So I installed a solar system I bought at harbor freight and was planning on getting the rest of the panels later. It says to leave the regulator on only when your at home. I was thinking what is the difference between my system and the $10,000 system that a solar company would install in houses.
The harbor freight type system is intended to charge a battery, and is low power. It’s good for experimenting, but is not very efficient, and not very powerful. I’ve seen an experimenter say that their 15-watt panel only gave him 5 watts in bright sunlight. If it’s the amorphous silicon thin film type of panel, it wears out quickly, dropping to a fraction of its original output in a few years.
The $10,000 type whole house system usually has no batteries, and instead ties to the electric grid. There is generally a 10-year warranty on anything going wrong, and the panels themselves, the most expensive part of the system, have a performance warranty of 25 years. The nameplate rating on such a system may be 4000 watts, and you can actually expect to get at least 3400 watts, usually.
Neither type of system is easily expandable. The big system can be made expandable later, but that involves spending money up front, and the final system will likely cost more than if the larger system was installed in the first place. An extra panel or two could be added to the small system, since it is generally underpowered anyway, but otherwise expansion means getting a completely new system and running it alongside the first.
For ultimate cost effectiveness, the big system is maybe 1/8 the price of the smaller system, per watt.
DIY Solar Panel 1
|
|
Goal Zero 19006 Guide 10 Adventure Kit with 4 Goal Zero AA Batteries
$89.75 Charges handheld devices such as cellular phones music players gps units & digital cameras from solar power or from aa/aaa batteries 2 in 1 charging system that powers up aa & aaa rechargeable batteries & harnesses that power via the usb port to charge other devices extremely compact & portable weight: 1 lb includes batteries... |
|
|
Pine Top 511-0007 4-Light LED Solar-Powered Plastic Fence-Post Cap Light, White
$22.99 ... |
|
|
Energy Film Glare Control Window Film 48-by-84-Inch
$30.79 Energy Film Shade is a thin, tinted window film that provides immediate year-round energy savings by retaining interior heat in the winter and blocking solar heat in the summer. Energy Film Shade is an inexpensive and easy way to make the home or office more energy efficient while providing UV protection. It is easy to apply and uses no adhesives.Summer/Winter insulating filmSaves up to 12-18% of ... |
|
|
Do It Yourself Solar Panels for Swimming Pools, Spas & more
$34.95 Solar Panel Instructional DVD & Plans for water heating. A simple step-by-step, DIY, easy to follow solar panel construction DVD. No special tools required. Sleek design, professional look and ease of fabrication. Heating system fully integrates into your existing pool piping network. 3500 watts (12,000BTU) of free solar power per panel. 10+degrees F increase in water temperature in one day. Engin... |
|
|
Fi-Shock SS-440 Solar-Powered Low Impedance 10 Acre Medium-Duty Electric Fence Charger
$109.94 The Fi-Shock Solar Fence Controller controls up to 5 miles of electric fence! Recharges its 4 Volt battery with a high efficiency, built-in solar panel. Controller delivers more shocking power than ordinary fencers. Low impedance provides 1/3 less battery drain. U.S.A. Application: Fence controller, Works With: Electrical fences, Amps: 3, Battery Required: Yes, Solar Power Compatible: Yes, Dimensi... |
|
|
Watt's Up RC Watt Meter & Power Analyzer WU100 Version 2 --- SALE!
$54.00 # Specifications: # Voltage 0-60 V, resolution 0.01 V. That's a 14 cell series li-poly pack! # Current 0-100 A peak, 50 A continuous, resolution 0.01 A # Charge 0-65 Ah, resolution 0.001 Ah. That's ~32 Amps for two hours! # Power 0-6500 W, resolution 0.1 W. That's ~8.7 Horsepower! # Energy 0-6500 Wh, resolution 0.1 Wh. # Operates from 4.0-60 V, 0 V with optional receiver battery pack # 16 x 2 STN... |
|
|
Sunforce 50048 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit
$279.95 The Sunforce 50048 60-Watt Solar Charging Kit gives you several more reasons to love the sun. It provides the power you need, while helping you save money and protect the environment. This kit is ideal for cabins, recreational vehicles, remote power, back-up power, and 12-volt battery charging. It comes with everything you need to start producing up to 60 Watts/4 Amps of clean, free power in all w... |
|
|
CSL Robotikits 6-in-1 Solar Kit
$2.99 Children use 21 snapping together parts to building six different desings. It's most advantageous because: it's very inexpensive for individuals or groups; clear easy to following instructions; motivating the children to learning about solar energy; a great project for boys or girls clubs; teaches students to follow precise visual diagrams; have hours of fun experimenting. For best results use o... |
|
|
Elenco OWI T3 Transforming Solar Robot
$1.17 Unlike common Transforming Robots, The T3 Transforming Solar Robot needs no batteries no fuel. This Solar Robot is an intelligent kit which can get power from sunshine,and your children can transform this cute Solar Robot Kit into three designs: Robot, Scorpion and Tank. Kids will understand the power of solar energy and improve their handle ability with this cute Transforming Solar Robot Kit,just... |
|
|
OWI 6-in-1 Educational Solar Kit
$7.99 Teach kids the benefits of solar energy - in a fun and imaginative way. Winner of the Dr. Toy award, kids can learn to build six different models with one kit. They'll even learn how solar power is used to help drive a small motor. It's a great way to get kids involved in the technology of today. Includes 33 pieces with solar module and gearbox that can transform into 2 different planes, airboat, ... |
