Off Grid Update: 270w Solar Panel!
We finally have a solar panel, just one though and it's 270 watts. We bought it on Amazon.mx and it was here in a few days, sooner than we expected. It'll make it so our internet will be off grid always and we'll have that no matter what which matters quite a bit. We still have like 40 more to get, so we're no where near close with this one panel.
It came with the most ridiculous packaging, these generally come in a cardboard box.
We're still waiting on the transformer and more batteries, stay tuned!
Check out some of my other recent posts!
Acapulco Sunsets: Yesterday At Modprobe's Mansion
Gray Clear and Black Spoon Pipe Practice PhotoShoot
Rebel Dog a Photo Bomb Story
Just a noob question. I saw your post about the Lion batteries (a whole lot of them). They looked to be AA size. Are you setting up this panel to store the charge in those batteries? Or am I missing something?
They're 18650s so slightly bigger, but yes, we're going to make battery packs for those panels to charge
I assume they are 1.5 volts and I believe you said you are running a 24 volt system. To charge them are you connecting 16 of them in series to charge them? Since I don't know the amp hour capacity, I can't calculate how many of these battery series to hook up in parallel. Not to be nosy (okay, I want to be nosy), why. Just to charge batteries for flashlights? Can you store enough power (in those batteries) to say power your refrigerator?
We're actually building two systems but the main is 48v. The idea is to make a large bank of battery packs to charge to run everything in our house.
My error I don't know where I got 24v. I'm interested because I am putting together a solar system. I have a small bank of golf cart batteries (6v) and the panels put out 12v. I read (after I already set up the system) that if you run at 24v there is less line loss. I like you am doing it piecemeal. I have an inverter (2500 w) and a charge controller (not sure what the specs on that is). I found these batteries called Edison batteries. I think there 2.2v and they are somewhat expensive. So your battery post caught my eye. Thank you for your time. Have a good evening.
I've found everyone's system is different based on what they have. This is just what we're doing, and seems to be where much of the industry is headed for complete home systems.
Don't get me wrong, I was not being critical by a longshot. I am interested in what other people are doing so I might discover a better way and perhaps a cheaper way to build my system. I do appreciate your time and your posts. Thank you
That's awesome! I just got a side job at a solar panel company and am learning a bunch about them. Energy independence!
Can you get us panels at discount? :P
I was curious how difficult it was in Acapulco to buy these. Often if you can get them shipped in bulk you can get a much cheaper price per watt. I bought 8, 320 Watt Monocrystalline panels around 40cents/watt by going in half with a buddy and selling a couple. Its much more cost effective to buy them that way. If you work it right you can get your panels for free by buying a pallet load and putting up a craigslist add to sell half. Best price to buy them in singles is around 1.00 USD/Watt, so anything sold under or around that price you'd be in great shape. Not sure what the roads are like getting down there from the USSA, but it would be interesting making some solar runs haha. Shipping by boat would probably be the most efficient though.
WOW Cool, so is this the RENOGY Polycrystalline panel? Looks pretty sweet and nice packing to keep it in one piece on the travel to you, cause you know those shippers aren't usually easy with fragile items.
I've never had an issue with solar panels shipped in a box and I'd be willing to bet much of the shipping cost was in the wood haha. As far as renogy, we had some of their panels 4 years ago but they're a bit too expensive for us at this point.
Oh..I wasn't thinking about that, here in the states we have prime, so shipping is on them. Yeah, I hear ya on the renogy, they're pretty dam expensive alright, so which one did you order?
We're still in talks, we've not actually ordered them yet.
The one we do have isn't of any specific brand..
What is the master plan here @lily-da-vine? I am hoping to go full solar / wind on my future homestead with @ucsdsu - thanks for sharing the solar journey. We'll be living vicariously through you for now ;)
~ Kevin
Solar panels, lots of them! And a couple of DIY powerwalls haha.
Following the journey! Prepare to be stalked! :p
Looks good.
My brother in PHX is into solar. Let me know what you paid for this panel so I know what a good price is.
He might be able to get a good price on a pallet. 270 watts, is that pretty standard size?
That is awesome good for you. How much does this cost and compared to certain household electronics like a computer how much power does it provide for a day? Also how is your internet off the grid? Are there other options than just doing like the local comcast or verizon that I'm not aware of because it's hard to figure that out in New Jersey. Thank you for your time!
I was wondering the same thing - does it come with a way to measure the output of energy? My dad got some solar installed and it's really cool because we can track his savings and energy output over time, eventually we'll know when he has broken even on the cost of the panels and is truly saving money.
some solar panels would be noce!
Wow this is great. Congrats! :D
Interesting post. Good job working towards solar power! Upvoted you and followed you @lily-da-vine.
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