Cheap source of solar panels?

[Vortex2]

Hi team,

can anyone recommend a cheap source for a handful of solar panels?

Thnaks.

[adam2]

Fleabay, but read the description, and view the pictures VERY carefully indeed.
Suggest only sellers with good feedback.

Alternatively, Wind and Sun have good prices on surplus or discontinued modules. More reputable than fleabay.
http://www.windandsun.co.uk/products/Cl ... WNOOJrMLIU

[Vortex2]

Thanks Adam.

[clv101]

Also Facebook Market place. There are often cheap deals ~£60-80 ~280-300W used panels available.

[adam2]

What sort of capacity in watts are you considering, and at what system voltage ?

Attractive prices more often apply to large relatively higher voltage modules, primarily intended for series strings connected to a grid tie inverter. They CAN be used for battery charging, but double check that the module voltage is compatible with an existing or proposed system.

Many grid tied modules are suitable for charging a 24 volt lead acid battery via a suitable charge controller. For a 12 volt battery you will need a slightly more costly MPPT charge controller.

A common size is about 300 watts. A single 300 watt module will power essential loads in a small and energy efficient home. In UK winter conditions we get about one hour a day of "peak sun equivalent" so a single module should produce after battery and controller losses about 200 watt hours a day.
An average lighting load of ten watts for ten hours a day.
A low consumption laptop PC for several hours a day, and a little for other loads.
In summer LIMITED electric cooking is possible via a slow cooker, a microwave oven, or an induction ring. Saving firewood or other fuel for winter.