What solar option to follow?

softdown

I have all 18 ~190 watt panels pointed south and they are doing a bang up job really. System is 48 volt with eight ~170 Ah 12 volt batteries. Decided that some westerly and easterly panels would make battery banks last significantly longer....the voices in my head told me that.

Was going to buy some matching 190 watt panels from NASW (our sponsor) but shipping fees threw a bit of a wrench in the works. See...I'm tight. Well...I have to be.

Came across some "matching" used BP 150 watt panels that are configured to be attached to a roof. They have ample insulation and cement board attached. The price was sensational and I bought 48 of them. Well...I am slowly easing into the solar business.They weigh ~80 pounds/each and each pallet is 6' high so I spent over a thousand on gasoline....but thats another story.

While I was there I bought eight matching new 190 watt panels. No shipping fees and he cut me a deal,,,perhaps driving 1250 miles helped?

Also have picked up a 1650 pound used 24 volt forklift battery that shows every sign of having useable life in it. Slowly bringing it back up to speed.

So now I have options:
1) Attach some economically bought used panels directly to roof that is already pointing east and west. Hold downs would have to be figured out. I'm pretty much a carpenter so I'm not fond of buying pricey aluminum "solar figurines". My solar guru says that that used panels sell for about $1/watt around here. So there is "opportunity cost".

2) Buy some economical steel welded racks and attach brand new matching panels pointing to the east and west. These could likely be sold for well over $1/watt. There are a lot of people wanting panels that "match" the 72 cell panels they bought in years gone by.

3) Used forklift battery? Won't know of its viability for some time. Takes a forklift to move it and forklift battery "rejuvenation" services are quite pricey. What can they do other than equalize and de-sulfate?

4) Solar guy wants to sell me 2.25 year old DECA solar L-16s at $150/battery. They are six volt at 350 Ah and "well taken care of." If I did anything...it would be a trade of panels for batteries. I do not know how long my existing bank will last. Three of the eight batteries are new. I'm a specialist at killing batteries as it turns out.

Is anybody still with me?

Figured that now is a good time to "panel up".