Solar Panels

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Lodds

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Guys, I am looking to install a solar panel on my Centaur and have come across a site "Select Solar" their products seem to be so much cheaper than anything else around. Brings out the cynic in me as I am wondering what the catch is.

Has anyone got any thoughts or experiences on the company and their products.

Or can offer an alternative?

Thanks
Tony
 
I got the cheapest rigid panel I could find on eBay, plus a generic unbranded controller, and it's been running fine for a couple of years and counting. So I don't think you need to avoid things just because they are cheap.
 
ashtead said:
Don't know this company but how do you know which panel to choose ? Is there any form of solar panel bible you have consulted to gain advice?
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First calculate your requirement. The panel choice is guided by the space you have available to site a panel, your requirement is somewhat secondary to the space. Their is loads of information on the internet, a good article is found here.
http://www.pbo.co.uk/expert-advice/solar-panels-everything-you-need-to-know-24455
 
Kelpie said:
I got the cheapest rigid panel I could find on eBay, plus a generic unbranded controller, and it's been running fine for a couple of years and counting. So I don't think you need to avoid things just because they are cheap.
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Yes, that's what I did. 100w panel for £70.
 
Lodds said:
Guys, I am looking to install a solar panel on my Centaur and have come across a site "Select Solar" their products seem to be so much cheaper than anything else around. Brings out the cynic in me as I am wondering what the catch is.

Has anyone got any thoughts or experiences on the company and their products.

Or can offer an alternative?
Click to expand...

Supplier seems ok, but at least for my panels the price is far from the best - same panel can be found about 20% cheaper on eBay. The prices vary greatly, because (large) solar panels are difficult to ship, so bulk importers who shift larger numbers or order directly from manufacturers can offer far better prices. Also, order sooner rather than later - prices (in the UK) are only going up.
 
Not just me then. I thought they'd been around for a while but prices were nothing special so never bothered with them. I was leaving UK so could pretty much discount even the possibility of improved post sale service. My current panels were all bought through ebay suppliers.

I don't know if it still works but I often checked prices on European ebay sites after finding details on UK site. I realised that some German suppliers always quoted same GBP and EUR prices, so much cheaper to order via ebay.de or ebay.es. Even delivery charges were often cheaper than UK suppliers.
 
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+1 on German postage charges.
I will actually buy from German companies in preference to UK ones because I don't get ripped off on postage. I have no idea how they make it work, but the fact that they don't discriminate against the Highlands saves me a fair chunk of money.
 
Can't say that those look like particularly good prices in the OPs link.
Specifically if you are looking for semi-flexible panels then google Lensun. They also sell on ebay. Mostly reviews seem positive.
I've just got and fitted (almost finished) a 30W panel, controller and wiring, 30W because that's the biggest panel that will sit on the hatch garage. Delivery was a couple of days. I'll let you know in a couple of years time whether it was worth the money (£80).
 
I always used cheap panel , last two where brought seven years ago and still working just brought another two last year for my latest boat £100 a shoot some will ague that they won't last as long as marine panels three time the price , £100 for seven years , I not sure there much to ague about .
 
sailaboutvic said:
some will ague that they won't last as long as marine panels three time the price
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+1 Vic.
That would require someone to believe there is such a thing as a marine panel. Whatever vendors might claim, I don't believe there is. The subject has often popped up on here and not once have I read any convincing evidence that marine panels exist. Even if they do, generic rigid panels last for years, so if they can be accommodated, why bother with anything else?
 
alahol2 said:
Can't say that those look like particularly good prices in the OPs link.
Specifically if you are looking for semi-flexible panels then google Lensun. They also sell on ebay. Mostly reviews seem positive.
I've just got and fitted (almost finished) a 30W panel, controller and wiring, 30W because that's the biggest panel that will sit on the hatch garage. Delivery was a couple of days. I'll let you know in a couple of years time whether it was worth the money (£80).
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Have the same GRP backed Lensun panel mounted in front of the sprayhood and been in place since February. Seems a better quality than the aluminium backed panels which I though might turn into a furry mess after a couple of years in a saltwater environment. Connection block also nicely potted which was a complaint with some of the other cheaper flexible panels.

Pete
 
Pete7 said:
Have the same GRP backed Lensun panel mounted in front of the sprayhood and been in place since February. Seems a better quality than the aluminium backed panels which I though might turn into a furry mess after a couple of years in a saltwater environment. Connection block also nicely potted which was a complaint with some of the other cheaper flexible panels.

Pete
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I also got the same GRP Lensun panels. Rigid are cheaper and generally better but I'd run out of space to mount more. Never fancied the Aluminium backed ones either. GRP ones look a lot better wrt salt water resistance. Only weak point is that the cells will break if bent too far (I tested a dud one to check). Not exactly a surprise but does mean they probably won't like a lot of flexing. Mount on my awning still seems OK with limited flexing but planning some light aluminium struts to stiffen them slightly.

 
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