BozemanTrail
Montana
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Cheap unisolar panels
I just finished installing 4 of these on the roof of my Class C. Too bad I didn't get them this cheap (do note that they are listed here as is without warranty).
I am in no way affiliated with the company above...
* This post was
edited 05/18/12 07:58pm by BozemanTrail *
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Almot
Vancouver BC
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Laminates are expensive. May be they have their niche for difficult roofs with a lot of camber etc. Rigid panel with this total area - 14 sq.ft - would have 200W power (compare to 68W of this laminate!) and cost less per watt.
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BozemanTrail
Montana
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Almot -- yup, I agree folks can likely get rigid panels cheaper.
But I figured that some folks have an interest in laminates as well -- I know I was for various reasons.
* This post was
edited 05/19/12 12:25am by BozemanTrail *
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rexlion
Broken Arrow OK
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Joined: 04/01/2005
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I've been thinking about one of these (easier install, less loss from shadows) but the "no warranty" stops me on this deal.
Mike & Sherry
2000 Mercury Mountaineer
2008 Toyota Highlander
2011 KZ Spree Escape E14RB
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Almot
Vancouver BC
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Easier to install, yes, this was why I thought about it for a while. Less loss from shadows - not sure about that. You can't mount it on brackets few inches above the roof like a rigid panel (and you don't have to, that's why easier to install), so all things on the roof will shadow it more.
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westend
all over
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I received a reply to why the laminates were being sold with no warranty. Here is the reply: "The company went out of business two days ago, so they are not backing the warranty. It’s still a wonderful product though, so we bought heavily discounted merchandise and are continuing to sell them."
The laminates may not be for everyone but the price on them is exceptionally low.
'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton
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BozemanTrail
Montana
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Westend,
Yeah, I was wondering what happened with Unisolar -- google searches hint at a problem...
But the price that they are selling the panels for is nice and low even w/o warranty. Can always pick up a spare one... but you'd have to resist finding another spot to use it.
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westend
all over
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Bozeman,
If I was in the market for a laminate panel, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the larger Unisolar panel. The posts here, at RVnet, confirm that it is a good, usable product. I know some folks rely on warranties and guarantees for peace of mind but I don't hold too much stock in them. I choose to buy product that I believe to be reliable and last through a typical period of use. I have rarely tried to use a warranty.
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 11/11/2010
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The cheapest I had seen them prior was civic solar at $175 each. I was considering them for my new TT prior to taking possession. Then I got the thing and climbed up on the roof with a tape measure.
The panels I got turned out to be made by Grape Solar. I paid over $300 each with mounts and wire. The panels themselves can be had from Home Depot for $200 each (100 watt panel) and have a higher voltage than these. Works better with the MPPT controller.
ERS
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