Bad news on panels

Zakarume
Zakarume Solar Expert Posts: 143 ✭✭
in Solar Beginners Corner #1
Again want to thank Photowhit for pointing out a good panel http://www.solar-electric.com/solar-panels-mounts-kits-accessories/solarpanels/topoint-solar-panels/topoint-jtm-190-72m-solar-module.html. However getting the panel shipped to a residential area would cost me $200 in shipping. I cant afford that so wont be getting panels. I even tried other places and shipping would also be around $200. So now i am going to Missouriwindandsolar since it is only about 100 miles from my place. I am looking at theses now http://store.mwands.com/solar-panels/250-watt-24-volt-solar-panel. There would be no shipping cost since i would be driving there to get them

Only have 1 queston about it.

Spec on Panel (Total of 4 panels) These are 24v Panels

Voltage Maximum Power 31.15V
Current Maximum Power 8.19A
Voltage Open Circuit 38.29V
Current Short Circuit 8.72A

Would it be best to run 2 in series and then 2 parallel OR
All 4 in Parallel

Using Midnite Kid MPPT CC. In my Opinion it looks like 2 in series and then 2 parallel would be best. Remember Combiner Box is about 35ft from Panels. And will be charging a 24v battery bank
1460 Watts Solar @24v. 675 AH Battery Bank using 12 6v Trojan T-105. 1 Midnite Classic 150. 1500 Watt 24v Samlex Pure Sine Inverter
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Comments

  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #2
    Re: Bad news on panels

    Missouri Wind and solar are just slimy in my opinion, you might do a search here and find other's opinions are similar. Like going to a site and them not saying what brand panels these are... Your link didn't work perhaps you were signed in. I'll try a link to those panels.

    There is a solar installer in Springfield Called brightersideenergy.comI they have been selling off some Astroenergy 250 watt panels for $1.30 a watt and I think this is them reducing the price to $1.10 a watt. I think this is their craigslist post.

    Neither of these panels is a true 24 volt panel, so you will loose some energy if you are pairing with your existing panels.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • Vic
    Vic Solar Expert Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    #3
    Re: Bad news on panels

    Have never done business with Missouri Wind, BUT, any company that refers to these PVs as "24 Volt", is misrepresenting them in a large way, and could result is very poor24 V system performance.

    Also, as whit mentioned, these PVs, in the past have appeared to be No-Name panels. And, as such, any possible warranty issues would PROBABLY require Missouri Wind to stand behind them, an uncertain warranty, IMO.

    Would suggest that you RUN AWAY from this vendor.

    A REAL 24 V PV would have a Vmp of around 35.4 - 36-ish volts. 31.1 Vmp is much too low for running a single PV on a 24V system, and as also noted by Photowhit, if you are using tow 12 V PVs in series now, the target PVs that you are considering will not play well with them. FWIW. Good Luck, Vic
    Off Grid - Two systems -- 4 SW+ 5548 Inverters, Surrette 4KS25 1280 AH X2@48V, 11.1 KW STC PV, 4X MidNite Classic 150 w/ WBjrs, Beta KID on S-530s, MX-60s, MN Bkrs/Boxes.  25 KVA Polyphase Kubota diesel,  Honda Eu6500isa,  Eu3000is-es, Eu2000,  Eu1000 gensets.  Thanks Wind-Sun for this great Forum.
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  • Zakarume
    Zakarume Solar Expert Posts: 143 ✭✭
    #4
    Re: Bad news on panels

    And as stated in past threads posted. I am getting rid of my 12v panels and going with 24v panels. I would love to do business with someone else but i am NOT paying $200 shipping to get panels shipped to my home
    1460 Watts Solar @24v. 675 AH Battery Bank using 12 6v Trojan T-105. 1 Midnite Classic 150. 1500 Watt 24v Samlex Pure Sine Inverter
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  • jimindenver
    jimindenver Solar Expert Posts: 59 ✭✭
    #5
    Re: Bad news on panels

    Try checking craigslist for panels. I have gotten them for as little as $50 for 24v panels. My 245w mono's were $85 each and there was enough that I could have covered my homes roof if it didn't face east. I am selling those off for what I'll use for installing, either 280w polys at $212 or 300w polys for $250. There are 250w polys here for $175, all local pick up with no taxes.
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: Bad news on panels

    I forgot to mention that the installer, I posted a craigslist link to, said they will be doing some supplying of equipment, I would think you cold claim the 30% tax credit. I'm not sure if you own the lot or are renting. I think it's only for 'home owners' though I don't know how that would apply if you owned a mobile and rented a lot.
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • Zakarume
    Zakarume Solar Expert Posts: 143 ✭✭
    #7
    Re: Bad news on panels

    Might be bad, might be good. Got a bid on ebay for 4 240 watt panels for right now $460
    1460 Watts Solar @24v. 675 AH Battery Bank using 12 6v Trojan T-105. 1 Midnite Classic 150. 1500 Watt 24v Samlex Pure Sine Inverter
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  • icarus
    icarus Solar Expert Posts: 5,436 ✭✭✭✭
    #8
    Re: Bad news on panels

    What about having them shipped to a nearby business address? Usually much cheaper.

    Tony
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  • Photowhit
    Photowhit Solar Expert Posts: 6,006 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #9
    Re: Bad news on panels
    Zakarume wrote: »
    Might be bad, might be good. Got a bid on ebay for 4 240 watt panels for right now $460

    Most bids on items happen in the last few seconds. You understand you will still have to pay for shipping on them? Have you used Ebay much?
    Home system 4000 watt (Evergreen) array standing, with 2 Midnite Classic Lites,  Midnite E-panel, Magnum MS4024, Prosine 1800(now backup) and Exeltech 1100(former backup...lol), 660 ah 24v Forklift battery(now 10 years old). Off grid for 20 years (if I include 8 months on a bicycle).
    - Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
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  • Zakarume
    Zakarume Solar Expert Posts: 143 ✭✭
    #10
    Re: Bad news on panels

    Been awhile since i used Ebay, but yes i have used it. Shipping even if it cost $200 it is still cheaper, however i work at a business that has a loading dock. Might be able to get it shipped here alot cheaper than $200.
    1460 Watts Solar @24v. 675 AH Battery Bank using 12 6v Trojan T-105. 1 Midnite Classic 150. 1500 Watt 24v Samlex Pure Sine Inverter
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  • Zakarume
    Zakarume Solar Expert Posts: 143 ✭✭
    #11
    Re: Bad news on panels

    Just got the panels today i bid and won on Ebay. Here they are http://www.solarelectricsupply.com/sharp-nd-240qcj-solar-panels-73. I know they are not True 24v panels. But i got 4 of them for a total of $650 with shipping. I have done a Open voltage test and it reads 37.6. Now need to get them on the roof.
    1460 Watts Solar @24v. 675 AH Battery Bank using 12 6v Trojan T-105. 1 Midnite Classic 150. 1500 Watt 24v Samlex Pure Sine Inverter
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  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #12
    Re: Bad news on panels

    you have a KID, so no problem with those panels as long as you have 2 or more in series you will have /get a good charge voltage for your 24 volt batteries...:cool:
     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
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  • Zakarume
    Zakarume Solar Expert Posts: 143 ✭✭
    #13
    Re: Bad news on panels

    Plan is to put 2 in series. The other 2 in series. And then run them to combiner box, then to CC
    1460 Watts Solar @24v. 675 AH Battery Bank using 12 6v Trojan T-105. 1 Midnite Classic 150. 1500 Watt 24v Samlex Pure Sine Inverter
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  • ZoNiE
    ZoNiE Solar Expert Posts: 100 ✭✭
    #14
    Re: Bad news on panels

    On shipping, not sure if this applies to you, but if you are ordering something that needs to be shipped LTL (Less than load, meaning not a full truck, which is just about everything) you can opt to pick it up at the carrier's terminal. That saves you the cost of bringing it to you, and the extra cost of labor to unload since you don't have a dock or forklift at your house. You may save a bit, but then also spend in time and gas.
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