best panels?

[Tam]

What are the best panels?

[bonaire]

Best price, best efficiency or best looking?

Maybe Sanyo HIT. Definitely expensive, though.

http://us.sanyo.com/Solar/SANYO-HIT-Technology

A lot of people start with "what are the best (anything) in life and then add compromises.

What about starting with your goals, then add in budget of the project then add expectations. A lot to the overall equation.

I think the best would mean that the products meet or surpass expectations and that the company will be in business throughout the life of the product to service and support it with outstanding support.

A lot of times, people ask what is best and then slide to what is the best price because I can't afford the best.

[russ]

What are the best panels?

The best panels are used by NASA - highest efficiency but very pricey.

You need to state your goal.

[Tam]

First we want to start small. Start with enough battery and panels to run our well water pump and a few appliances. We'll grow from there, but that start is essential to survival.

Quality of the panels/manufacture(will they be around) and components are top priority.

With a family of eight our well pump and cooking appliances are our biggest drain to batteries.

[Naptown]

First we want to start small. Start with enough battery and panels to run our well water pump and a few appliances. We'll grow from there, but that start is essential to survival.

Quality of the panels/manufacture(will they be around) and components are top priority.

With a family of eight our well pump and cooking appliances are our biggest drain to batteries.

Forget cooking with electric and PV. It is not economically feasable on a small system. (or a large one for that matter)
Running the well minimally might work but will not be a small system.
What are you prepping for or are you moving someplace so remote that grid power is not available?

[Tam]

Forget cooking with electric and PV. It is not economically feasable on a small system. (or a large one for that matter)
Running the well minimally might work but will not be a small system.
What are you prepping for or are you moving someplace so remote that grid power is not available?

Power tends to go out here a few times a year. No power = No water
Being able to cook is nice also.
Eight hungry and stinky people isn't fun.

[Sunking]

With a family of eight our well pump and cooking appliances are our biggest drain to batteries.

This is just illogical and a very silly thing to say. Solar PV cannot be used for heating, hot water,cooking, cooling or any high wattage loads unless you are a billionaire.

[Sunking]

Power tends to go out here a few times a year. No power = No water
Being able to cook is nice also.
Eight hungry and stinky people isn't fun.

Nether is wasting all your money for something impossible.Think LPG and a generator.

[bonaire]

Generator done well will still be five to ten times cheaper than a hybrid solar system for these outages.