Monocrystalline Solar Panel Costs (1 Viewer)

[jo10000_6]

Hi All,

I pricing up my solar panel wish list which I will ask for advice on in its entirety once I've completed it.

What bothers me a bit is say in my instance I need a 150 watt solar panel - yet the prices vary from say £120-350 for the panel on its own.

How do I know if one panel is better than the other - what do you look out for ?

I will probably be driven to some extent by budget but that doesn't mean I don't want to increase that budget if there is a genuine reason to do so.

Any comments appreciated.

Thanks
Jo

 

[tonka]

I see you posted about Mono panels.. Just do some research ref Mono vs Poly as both have their pro's and cons.
Just my view but your putting a panel on a motorhome for a bit of extra battery charge. It's not a critical installation and a few percentage on charge vs cost for me would not worry me that much. If you plan to live off grid and in the UK at winter time then every bit could matter. General normal use I have always gone with cheapo poly / mono panel off ebay over the past 12 years on 2 vans i owned. Never had an issue and performed as good as i needed

 

[jo10000_6]

Thanks Tonka - kinda of what I need to hear when on a budget - much appreciated !
Ta, Jo

 

[hilldweller]

How do I know if one panel is better than the other - what do you look out for ?
Thanks
Jo

In reality, you don't.

What swayed me on my last one "Made in Germany" at a good price.

 

[Guigsy]

Mono is more efficient than poly, but then it costs a bit more. There are other differences, but they are fairly minor. If you aim for a particular power output, generally you end up with a slightly larger area poly panel but it costs a less than the mono equivalent.

I've got a 250w poly panel that just about fitted in the space available on my roof. Due to the fairly standard sizes the panels come in, the equivalent mono panel was the same width and the shorter length didn't give me any benefits, so I went with the cheaper poly option.

Just make sure you get an MPPT charger rather than PWM. It makes far more difference than mono vs poly.

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[Figaro]

I was going to ask the difference, but you just saved me the trouble

 

[jo10000_6]

Thanks Guys, I knew Id read Mono was better than Poly when researching and I think I got hung up on that before re-reading following Tonka's message and taking on boards its a negligible difference.
I will have another look later.
The MPPT controller is on my wish list.
I will look at the bay link as well - thanks for that.
Regards
Jo

 

[mitzimad]

mono is only better in that you get a smaller panel for the same output they say mono collects more in poor conditions but i doubt you would notice the differenceive always bought on price and theyve always worked

 

[Manic]

Thanks Guys, I knew Id read Mono was better than Poly when researching and I think I got hung up on that before re-reading following Tonka's message and taking on boards its a negligible difference.
I will have another look later.
The MPPT controller is on my wish list.
I will look at the bay link as well - thanks for that.
Regards
Jo

Regarding the regulator, I’ve got a Schaudt LR1218 for sale in classified ads, it’s not mppt but works well.

 

[jo10000_6]

Thanks Manic - I've going to go MPPT but appreciate the heads up on yours.
Thanks Jo

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[Lenny HB]

I have 3 x 100 watt Mono panels, 2 of them were from Hollybrook Power I think I paid about £115 each, they are a good panel for the money. When I fitted the 3rd one as I had two decent ones I risked a cheap eBay one £85. I noticed in bright sunlight the output may be the odd percent lower but not enough to worry about, main difference was the aluminium frame was slightly smaller section and lighter construction.

Not much point in buying German panels there hasn't been any solar cells made in Germany for a few years they are all made in China, if you buy a German panel all it means is it's been assembled in Germany.

 

[jo10000_6]

Thanks Lenny and All. The next step will be what will fit on the roof. I've only been up there once - its a lot higher than in looks when you are up there.

 

[Figaro]

its a lot higher than in looks when you are up there.

It is indeed, be careful, especially if it's wet !
So easy to slip.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks Lenny and All. The next step will be what will fit on the roof. I've only been up there once - its a lot higher than in looks when you are up there.

Make sure you have a mobile phone with you. I once knocked the ladder away & was stuck up there for an hour.

Edit:
Jo will be OK he has a ladder on the back of the van.

 

[Wagoneer]

Make sure you have a mobile phone with you. I once knocked the ladder away & was stuck up there for an hour.

Edit:
Jo will be OK he has a ladder on the back of the van.

Haha, I did the same. Fortunately a neighbour came to the rescue

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[jo10000_6]

Jo is a girl ....I think I need to update my profile page.

 

[tonyidle]

If there's room on top there are a few bargains to be had around 250W - I suspect due to the wind-down of the domestic PV industry.



.............. for example. Others are available.

 

[jo10000_6]

That’s a really good price for that size, Tony - not sure I have the room but I will pop in my ebay watchlist.
Thanks
Jo

 

[Lenny HB]

Only downside of one large panel if it gets any shade you have lost all your output.

 

[mitzimad]

similar unless your near chard

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