Where to buy solar panels

[NorthRick]

If you go with a cheap Modified sine wave inverter you stand a good chance of ruining your cordless tool batteries. Trust me here on this. Replacing those cordless tool batteries gets pretty expensive after you ruin a couple , or more of them.

What brand and type of batteries? My cabin has a modified sine wave inverter and I've been charging DeWalt 18v NiCad batteries off it without problems. I just bought the adapter kit for using their 20V lithium batteries with my existing tools. Plan to take the lithium batteries out there this weekend.

[foo1bar]

Renvu

I'll second that.

Soligent is another option (they only sell to their dealers - so I had to fill out some paperwork to become a dealer for them.)

[littleharbor]

What brand and type of batteries? My cabin has a modified sine wave inverter and I've been charging DeWalt 18v NiCad batteries off it without problems. I just bought the adapter kit for using their 20V lithium batteries with my existing tools. Plan to take the lithium batteries out there this weekend.

I destroyed about a half a dozen Makita 9.6 volt Ni Cad batteries on a cheap mod. sine inverter. I have never taken a chance of ruining another battery again Maybe things have changed since then with the batteries and chargers.

[Freeesun]

What does Everybody suggest for a all black panel with thee lowest watts possible?

i see Canadian solar has one thats 265 so thats my best option so far

[foo1bar]

What does Everybody suggest for a all black panel with thee lowest watts possible?

I think I've already given you this advice - but first figure out what you need for solar power.
Then start looking at how to meet that need.

I couldn't tell you which "all black" or "black on black" panels are the lowest watts - nor which are the lowest price per watt (which is what I'd think would be more important.)
AFTER you figure out what you need (ex. "I will need about 1700W of solar panels for my location and how they'r eoriented") - THEN I would look for panels that meet your aesthetic requirements and look for what's the best price per watt on them. And there's a number of vendors mentioned in this thread that you could check prices at..

[Freeesun]

I really just need the lowest watts possible all black... and the lowest I can find is Canadian solar.

the shed will not get much electrical use. 2 leds and desalt batteries charged once a week if that. And theyre the smallest dewalts batteries.

[sdold]

How about getting one of the Harbor Freight panels and painting it all black? From what I've read, the performance after painting wouldn't be that much different.

[littleharbor]

Already mentioned once. 40" x 27" fully opened. 100 watts.

Renogy 100 watt suitcase.jpg

[Guest]

I see sellers on craigslist with massive inventories selling at "wholesale" prices claiming they are new an unused. Does anyone have a 2 cents about this?

[littleharbor]

The only way to buy anything through Craigslist is face to face and cash or a pre agreed alternate payment form. ie; Paypal, Venmo, barter.

That being said I've been known to sell full sealed pallets of solar panels, as well as used panels on Craigslist.

Know how to spot a scam and walk away if you're not comfortable with any transaction.

[Freeesun]

Do you think that that solar panel will last for 25 years? After knowing that the inverter can drain the battery ill end up going with the Canadian solar 265 all black.

aby suggestion on a inverter or charge controller?

[Freeesun]

I would like the charge controller to have as much info on it as possible.

ill be charging batteries that are 1.5ah so maybe 3ah a week and running 4 60watt leds which are 7-9 watts I believe

[Freeesun]

i just got a quote from a company for a complete system for $2500 how is that even possible? the panel is 280 a charge controller is 200 an inverter is another 200 and i have a battery? how could it even get up to 2500 am i missing something.

i sadly think that i might just get a tiny panel and hook it up to a goal zero yeti 150

[foo1bar]

i just got a quote from a company for a complete system for $2500 how is that even possible? the panel is 280 a charge controller is 200 an inverter is another 200 and i have a battery? how could it even get up to 2500 am i missing something.

i sadly think that i might just get a tiny panel and hook it up to a goal zero yeti 150

Are you comparing the exact same items that were in the quote?
How much is shipping?
How much is it per hour for electricians by you? (It varies widely in the US - it may be $30/hr in one place and $150/hr in another.)


BTW what do you mean by "running 4 60watt leds which are 7-9 watts I believe"?
How many watts are they? How many hours will you want to run them?

And "charging batteries that are 1.5ah so maybe 3ah a week" - that's not a measurement of how many watt-hours or kwh you will consume in a day.
Go borrow/buy a kill-a-watt meter to see what that charger actually consumes when you charge a battery. And how much it consumes while it is in standby mode (both with a charged battery on it, and without)

[Freeesun]

It