PV pricing and availabilty?

[Vortex2]

Hi,

I am looking for 2k - 4k of NON-grid-tied PV with controller ... ideally at low cost.

Price is more important than 'prettiness'.

A quick scan of the web shows most PV suppliers in the UK have no stock.

Anyone know of a supplier of used panels who might have stock?

And what type of panel should I avoid?

Thanks.

[adam2]

Wind and sun have stocks, have been trading for many years, and are generally considered to be a reputable and reliable company.
http://www.windandsun.co.uk/products/So ... jdciXr7TIU

Bargains can be found on fleabay, but be VERY careful indeed. Read the descriptions very carefully.

Price per watt is arguably the most important, but fewer, larger modules are a bit easier to install. Voltage is less important these days since MPPT controllers are the norm.

All the modules connected to one controller should be identical. Different brands and sizes are fine in the same battery charging installation, provided that types are not mixed in the same string.

[Catweazle]

I'm told that the MOD is buying options on many solar panels, putting down deposits. I don't know why.

[BritDownUnder]

MOD as in Ministry of Defence?

Most interesting. If so It seems they are buying into the collapse idea too.

[Catweazle]

MOD as in Ministry of Defence?

Yes. I was wondering if they plan to ship them to Ukraine in the event of the power stations getting trashed.

[kenneal - lagger]

If Ukrainian power stations get trashed we will have huge problems, especially if there is an east wind at the time, as they rely on mostly nuclear power. Lets hope for a period of sustained westerlies in Ukraine for the foreseeable future. That might make Putin and his minions think twice about trashing nukes or deploying chemical weapons.

[adam2]

Time to update this thread.
PV modules are now more expensive than previously, plenty available at full price but far fewer special offers than previously.

I recently did a small installation for a remote home. Fortunately the customer purchased the modules last year at well under £1 a watt. Two modules each of 280 watts, MPPT controller and a 12 volt battery of 500 AH.
For lighting, DC refrigeration, TV, PC, and other low power appliances. Generator for high power loads.

I asked a friend about the suggestion that the Army are purchasing large numbers of PV modules and he confirmed that this is the case.
Most are being fitted to grid tie installations on military buildings to save on utility bills.
Some are being used to charge the batteries in seldom used vehicles and thereby ensure reliable starting.
A few are fitted to off grid military buildings, they have a surprising number of these.
And a few hundred are being stored as a strategic reserve.
He was not aware of plans to use them in Ukraine, BUT DID POINT OUT that after the war, that Ukraine will need a great deal of repair and reconstruction, and that if PV is be fitted to the new buildings, that vast numbers of PV modules will be needed.

A lot of small PV modules have been sent to Ukraine, but not by our military. Mainly 10 watt modules for charging torch and radio batteries, and for slow charging of vehicle batteries. THOUSANDS of secondhand vehicle batteries are being used for basic lighting in underground bomb shelters.