Hey everyone! I'm looking for recommendations on where to purchase good solar panels, ideally in the 100W range, for a project I'm helping a contractor friend with. We need these for an off-grid cabin setup that requires around 800 to 1000 watts to power a DC fridge and lights. The customer initially went with a premade kit, but it wasn't enough. I'm familiar with panels from Amazon like Renogy, but I'm also interested in pricier, high-quality options. The roof shape is a bit awkward, so sticking with 100W panels might be ideal, though I'm open to considering larger ones. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
It's really location-dependent. In the Midwest, I can find used or newer panels in the 325W-430W range for about $100-120 each. Some of my family in New England score even better deals on bifacial panels! The more solar installs around you, the easier it is to find left-over panels at a good price. Don't forget to check Facebook Marketplace too, you might get lucky!
That's solid advice! It does seem like the local demand makes a big difference in availability and pricing.
If you're considering panels, I recommend skipping the 100W ones altogether. Instead, look into larger panels like a single 400W or more, which can save you money and space. Typically, you'd want to budget around $0.35 per watt, meaning a new 400W panel shouldn’t cost more than around $140. You might also find used ones on marketplace sites for even less! They're often just as good and can meet your power needs efficiently.
40¢ a watt? Can you share where you found those deals? I'm seriously looking into some 400W options myself!
Definitely check locally for used panels. I found some 300W ones at about $20 each that still perform at 80-90% efficiency!
Amazon is a decent starting point, but I've had luck with half-cut panels from HQST that I bought at a discount because they had minor frame damage. I managed to set up around 800W that powers multiple appliances off-grid! Just make sure to stay within the device's power limitations. If they're sticking with a pre-packaged system, that could be a constraint. Also consider your roof's layout; it could affect your final choice!
That's so useful! Building around the power limits is a must. I'll pass that info to my friend doing the install!
Great to hear you got good results! Your experience definitely backs up the recommendation for going larger rather than smaller panels.
I heard that from a friend! It's amazing how the local market can vary. It's worth exploring those options for sure!