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RKaz | 07-23-2009 04:38 PM
Harbor Freight Solar Panels Anyone know anything about the quality of these panels at HF (on sale for $180 right now)? http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=90599 seems like a cheap set to throw in the basement (along with a few batteries) for who knows what...

TechGuy | 07-23-2009 06:14 PM
Re: Harbor Freight Solar Panels Get mono or polycrystalline panels, not amphorus, which is what these look like. Also, real panels will have a guaranteed wattage (with published tolerances) on their panels, as well as a output guarantee measured in decades, not a few months. www.partsonsale.com www.wholesalesolar.com for a quick comparison. andy has posted a few links as well.

dupontcobb | 07-23-2009 07:23 PM
Re: Harbor Freight Solar Panels For $100 more, you can get a good Kyocera 50 Watt panel with an energy tax credit. http://store.solar-electric.com/kykc50wasopa.html You can get a Sun 50 watt panel for $169 at www.sunelec.com

gunDriller | 07-23-2009 09:05 PM
Re: Harbor Freight Solar Panels Quote:
Originally Posted by RKaz (Post 1832368) Anyone know anything about the quality of these panels at HF (on sale for $180 right now)? http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=90599 seems like a cheap set to throw in the basement (along with a few batteries) for who knows what...
i paid $222 for a 50 watt panel Kyocera 2 foot x 2 foot in 2004. since it has the extra instruments that seems like a fair deal, the Harbor Freight one. i'm curious what they actually put out. i hooked a spectrum of load resistors up to the Kyocera and the absolute best it would do in San Diego sun is 35 watts. i had a fixture to point it right at the sun etc. i notice a lot of stores over-state the specs at the retail level. i guess that's would be an under-statement.

longjohnsilver | 07-23-2009 09:06 PM
Re: Harbor Freight Solar Panels Known mostly to sailors... Sun Electronics in Miami has consistently undersold most everyone on solar panels for years. http://sunelec.com/ Get "2nd"s if you can - only physical blemishes - they'll still test them right in front of you, and you get the same 20 year warranty for way less. My "2nd" stamps wore off from UV and saltwater within 6 months. Still working like a champ 4 years later. FWIW --- edit -- just saw someone else mentioned them as well. I'll "2nd" that, LOL :)

Igotyour6 | 07-23-2009 09:18 PM
Re: Harbor Freight Solar Panels 2ND'S especially if it is only blemishes!

damoc | 07-23-2009 10:16 PM
Re: Harbor Freight Solar Panels Quote:
Originally Posted by RKaz (Post 1832368) Anyone know anything about the quality of these panels at HF (on sale for $180 right now)? http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...o?itemid=90599 seems like a cheap set to throw in the basement (along with a few batteries) for who knows what...
i have 10 sets the regulators are crap accept for volt meters and the panels only put out 1/2 to 2/3 of the rating on the box but i feel they are still a fairly decent deal if you have plenty of room to set them.those amorphous panels are not as energy dense as others but are a better watt for dollar deal. i would say compare them to a 25 watt other panel mono or polychrystaline. i have some that are about 3 years old and seem to have settled in and are still producine nicely

RKaz | 07-23-2009 10:24 PM
Re: Harbor Freight Solar Panels thanks for the feedback everyone... I think I'll spring for something better than the HB panels... going to checkout Sun electronics.

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