Any web site that shows panels available for a given size?

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,925 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Lets say that you are looking for panels that are 62” tall. Finding that size can be tough.

Unless there is a service that shows available panels for a given size. 

I’m looking for 62” x 32” panels. Quite a few (~12). Only found Sonali at Amerescosolar so far. 
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,925 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Contacted host NAZ last July. NA in that size. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,629 admin
    #3
    The downside to solar panels... They are all pretty much custom designed and mfg. Based on the most cost-effective materials (such as silicon wafer sizes, and such). There is little standardization over the years.

    Next step is to find some panels that meet your needs and change the racking to support the "latest and greatest" panels/array for your needs.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,925 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Changing the racking would be pretty onerous. There is angle iron that connects the top with the bottom. Then we have the foundation boards “cemented” into the roof.


    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 371 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    "Changing the racking would be pretty onerous."

    When I did the house solar I bought 20' lengths of 1.5x1.5x.125 aluminum angle and made my own. The panels were SunTech 195. In 15 years, half of the panels have fractures on the glass but every string is putting out near spec (but in summer heat they seem to suffer more but I don't care so far).

    I was penny wise and pound foolish at the time. I am married to those panels and their bolt pattern. SunTech still makes a panel of that size and pattern last I looked years ago after their bankruptcy and reemergence. But when the time comes that the panels need to be replaced it will probably include a mounting framework as well. And removal. And a 14/12 steel roof repair. And finding a company that will undertake the project where we live.

    My beloved wife won't let me get on a ladder anymore - let alone the steel roof. I happily comply. When you are contemplating things with a 25-30 year lifespan its easy to forget that you will change in that same timeframe.
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,174 ✭✭✭✭
    #6
    JRHill said:
    ..................................................My beloved wife won't let me get on a ladder anymore - let alone the steel roof. I happily comply. When you are contemplating things with a 25-30 year lifespan its easy to forget that you will change in that same timeframe.
    I resemble that remark! :D
    Marc

    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,925 ✭✭✭✭
    #7
    Presently considering simply laying one xl panel on the roof - though sitting at an ~ 15 degree angle oriented towards the east. Then adding another xl panel, that gathers solar energy from both sides, and mounting it at 90 degrees oriented towards the east and the west. 

    This would require adding two smallish 48v charge controllers - already purchased. I need to augment my warm weather solar capacities when running eight fridges/freezers. 

    Right now the future is looking much, much better but I expect very serious battles for quite awhile. Nobody ever regretted having a lot of food in very tumultuous times. 

    Some of ya’ll know I have few issues with experimentation and going against established dogma. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,925 ✭✭✭✭
    #8
    Fuzzy math, very fuzzy math really, is pointing at mounting two “di-directional” xl panels at 90 degrees towards the east and the west. Only one charge controller needed.  Much less wiring and a spare charge controller to boot. 

    But an xl panel mounted at 90 degrees requires very serious anchoring indeed. I see 110 mph winds every 3-4 years it seems. That does incredible things. In fact there seems a good chance the panel itself would simply snap. It has to be thin to absorb absorb energy from both sides. So. maybe. not. after. all. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,174 ✭✭✭✭
    #9
    softdown said:

    This would require adding two smallish 48v charge controllers - already purchased. I need to augment my warm weather solar capacities when running eight fridges/freezers. 

    Right now the future is looking much, much better but I expect very serious battles for quite awhile. Nobody ever regretted having a lot of food in very tumultuous times

    Have you gotten tired of chicken pot pies yet? As I recall you bought more than a couple.
    Marc

    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 371 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November 18 #10
    Marc Kurth said:
    softdown said:

    This would require adding two smallish 48v charge controllers - already purchased. I need to augment my warm weather solar capacities when running eight fridges/freezers. 

    Right now the future is looking much, much better but I expect very serious battles for quite awhile. Nobody ever regretted having a lot of food in very tumultuous times

    Have you gotten tired of chicken pot pies yet? As I recall you bought more than a couple.
    Marc

    In my bachelor days those pot pies were a step up from mac/cheese/tuna. One wasn't enough and two was too expensive.
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,174 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November 18 #11
    JRHill said:
    Marc Kurth said:
    softdown said:

    This would require adding two smallish 48v charge controllers - already purchased. I need to augment my warm weather solar capacities when running eight fridges/freezers. 

    Right now the future is looking much, much better but I expect very serious battles for quite awhile. Nobody ever regretted having a lot of food in very tumultuous times

    Have you gotten tired of chicken pot pies yet? As I recall you bought more than a couple.
    Marc

    In my bachelor days those pot pies were a step up from mac/cheese/tuna. One wasn't enough and two was too expensive.

    He bought 574 Marie Callender's pot pies for only $0.89 each.  In theory, the storage life is many years if held under 0 degrees F. I have eaten quite a bit of stuff that was in my freezer for years, held around -10F to -15F.
    Softdown: How is the flavor and texture holding up?
    Marc


    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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  • JRHill
    JRHill Registered Users Posts: 371 ✭✭✭✭
    #12
    Definitely not using an electric over to heat those pies.
    Off Grid. Two systems: 1) 2925w panels, OB VFXR3648, FM80, FNDC, Victron BMV-712, Mate3s, 240 xformer, four SimpliPHI 3.8; 2) 780w, Morningstar 30a, Grundfos switch, controller and AC/DC pump, 8 T105. Honda EU7000is w/AGS. Champion 3100. HF 4550, Miller Bobcat.
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,925 ✭✭✭✭
    #13
    Finished a while ago. Just as I got tired of them. Those were a DEAL! 

    I have a LOT of four plus year old freezer food. Still quite edible. Lots of ice crystals though. 

    I suspect we may be headed for more tumultuous times. But I always seem to fear that possibility. For reasons. 

    I digest too much real news to feel very positive. 

    Now I am on a whole grain pancake with buttermilk and eggs pursuit. #FineDining Real maple syrup is kind of pricey. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • Marc Kurth
    Marc Kurth Solar Expert Posts: 1,174 ✭✭✭✭
    #14
    softdown said:

    I have a LOT of four plus year old freezer food. Still quite edible. Lots of ice crystals though. 



    Vacuum sealing in decent bags before freezing avoids that problem nicely.


    I always have more questions than answers. That's the nature of life.
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