I want to buy solar panels?

Question

I want to know where is a good place to buy them. I have been reading about solar panels, and I need around 9k watts per day. so, my question, Do I have to buy it new because I have searched and I can't find nothing cheaper than 9000 for the panels. Does anybody knows if there is any place where I can buy it cheaper?. thank you.

Answer 1

Well....

(might not be exactly what you want to hear...I think you might want to wait.....lemme explain...)

"Earth bound solar panels still remain significantly less profitable to operate than competing fossil fuel alternatives, which are at present hovering around $2/watt, and the cost per watt of setting up a space based solar energy station seems even less profitable."

Part of your problem is that the panels made now...respond best to a wavelength ... (frequency/invisible color) ... that the AIR blocks a good portion of as the sunlight passes thru it....Where you live will affect your solar panel's output....

This effect is called Insolation..."Insolation is a measure of solar radiation power incident on a surface."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insolation
(when you look at that site... it mentions that 1370 watt/Sq meter is the suns power output measured here at the Earth. but when you get ground level you are only left with about 250watt/Sq meter. Oh and that's spread-out over the whole electromagnetic spectrum.. visible & electromagnetic.. so...some of the wattage isn't even usefull to the solar panel....sigh.)

As a result, satellites get GREAT response from solar panels.

"Using advanced solar panels in outer space, it may one day be economically feasible (or even necessary) to beam the sun's seemingly infinite power supply back to Earth for general consumption. "
http://www.solarpanelinfo.com/solarprojects/space-based-solar-power.php
(Microwaves are largely un-affected by the AIR so if we put solar powered Microwave generators up and have them beam the power down as microwave energy to reciever stations on the Earth)


There's hope tho.....

Pioneers at SA Solar have announced a major advance in solar panel technology - an acheivement that has resulted from over ten grueling years of research.
The South African Solar team, headed by Professor Vivian Alberts of the University of Johannesburg, has developed an extremely thin metal alloy that is especially photo-responsive. This alloy can be used to construct solar panels only 5 microns thick!
This amazing new alloy stands in stark contrast to traditional silicon photovoltaic cells, which are typically nearly a hundred times as thick as the new photo-responsive alloy.
http://www.solarpanelinfo.com/solarprojects/CIGS-ultra-thin-solar-panels.php

Here's data on a solar home built by Chris Marnay, a post-doctoral fellow in the Energy and Environment Division. Marnay works for E&E's Appliance Standards Group. He creates computer models that project the impact of proposed DOE energy-efficiency standards for appliances on natural gas and electric utility companies.
http://www.lbl.gov/Science-Articles/Archive/solar-powered-home.html
Marnay's solar-based system cost about $11,500 to build and install. It would have been cheaper to build a diesel or propane-fueled generator installation, but that would have entailed environmental and other problems, including noise.

Oh BTW if you install a Large enough solar panel array..you can get your electrical supplier to install a special meter that will allow you to SELL your surplus electricity to them! In that way you can defray the operating/install costs..But, the initial outlay of funds still falls on you.

I suggest you give it a little time if you can......The new versions of panels will make your..strike that....OUR..... dream more cost effective...

All this data I looked up, has been part of my own investigation..... I too want the freedom of solar power!! My conclusions have been that if not installing a large enough system to sell excess power to the power companies....then the expense is not really worth it...yet...the new tech...looks like it will make the difference in price tho...so...I'm sitting back (somewhat patiently) for the next generation!!

Hope I helped....
-dawgy

Answer 2

Wow you got all kinds of answers on that one that is no where near what you was asking. lol Happens all the time. But some good statements never the less.

You did not say how many peak sun hours you get a day in your area. In my area of Arkansas I get 4.5 to 5 hours of peak sun. So using 9,000 watts divided by 4.5 hours I would need in my area 2,000 watts of solar panels. (may not be correct for your area).

Check out this web page. http://store.oynot.com/solar-electric-sale.html . The price on these panels are 4.50 per watt which would be $9,000. However, being you are buying so many you get free shipping (save I bet 300 bucks on just shipping) and could even talk them into knocking off 5 cents or more per watt. They just had a sale for less then that. It ended the first of this month.

Tell them Don K told you so.

Answer 3

It will be better if you can find some sites or places that are quite professional with the solar panels. Solar panels are quite new to a lot of people. You need to find a reliable one. You can try OKorder.com. It is a professional solar panels provider. Hope it can help.

Answer 4

In fact, 90% solar panels are made in China, if you want to find a good supplier, I suggest you to consider about big company, such as Himin solar

Answer 5

Do a web search for "solar panels Charlotte NC".

Answer 6

theres a new generation of solor voltaic cell coming out in 2009 that will diliver 40% more power than the standard home use cell panels, they may cost as much as they do today buy at 40% more its worth the wait, plus the advancements being made if you do diside to "invest" they will be obsolite in 5-10 years but by then the system will have paid for them selves, which in time they do. and if you get a steady wind, like we do here in northen indiana, get a wind turbine rated at 7k per day

Answer 7

I recommend HIMIN SOLAR PANEL to you, which has good performance and reasonable price
http://www.himin.com

Answer 8

Dear sir
We are an solar panels exporter in china, we can supply you the solar product from 0.1w to 300w, for more information, pls email to [e-mail], i will email you more further information. Regards, colin

Answer 9

You can find local solar panel installers here:
diysolarelectricity.org/go/quote.html

Answer 10

Ebay