solar cost

I've little doubt that the claim is true, but it will be so primarily for rigid panels (where the sales volume lies) -- as used principally for domestic use, but fine for boats, too.
Since 'marine' is a synonym for 'overpriced', I wouldn't expect to see the same fall for those. Besides, most 'marine' panels seem to be semi-flexible, which fall to bits after a few years in the elements.
 
I thought there'd been a bit of a price hike for some reason in solar panels a few years ago, they used to be cheaper than they are now. Something to do with the production of the individual PV cells???
 
The EU imposed some import penalties on imported Chinese panels as the European manufacturers claimed the Chinese were dumping product on the EU market at below productions cost. That saw an increase in prices, IIRC. However, if you use rigid panels they are as cheap as chips and of reasonable quality. Semi flexible and 'marine' branded panels are expensive in comparison.
I use semi flexible panels as they're cheap to mount but I've now covered the available area. For any further ones, I'll have to build an arch but the panels I'll put up there will be domestic rigid ones. The expensive bit will be the arch,not panels or the controller.
 
V1701 said:
I thought there'd been a bit of a price hike for some reason in solar panels a few years ago, they used to be cheaper than they are now. Something to do with the production of the individual PV cells???
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Ah! true to a point when the EC put anti-dumping dues on Chinese panels.
Panels have been improving dramatically in conversion rates and the big 88 cell units are definitely cheaper per watt produced than anything previous.
Unfortunately yotties tend to self-limit to 36 cell units nominal 12v (16-18V).
I have some of the early Kyocera KC units as well as some later KD units.
In answer to duncan - my arch cost me £150, the panels (2 x 65w, & 2 x 105w) £420. The MPPT controller was US$264.
The irony of it all is that most of the "european" panels are being made in China and badged in Europe.
I did buy 2 semi-flexible panels, but they have, within 5 years halved in output. The monocrystalline are still producing full rated output.
 
ghostlymoron said:
I haven't noticed that large a fall for "marine" panels.
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Gave up buying 'marine' electrical gear years ago.
Got most of my electrical kit (including solar panels) off a caravaning website.
IIRC I paid £89 for a 100W rigid panel. In fact, I got 4.
Third year on the boat now, and they're still keeping the batteries topped up when we're out and about.
 
When you live together on the boat, agreement on all major spending is the only reasonable way ahead. The budget committee sits at the end of the cruising season, agrees a work list for the winter, estimates the cost of the various projects proposed and, where cost exceeds money available, decides which projects will wait for another winter.......
 
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