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Hello, I see I have a wide choice of 150-250 watts panels and a small choice of 400-420 watts panels. What would be the best choice 250 watt panel or a 420 watt panel? I noticed that with the higher wattage panels, I will need less of them compared to low wattage panels, grid tie system. Thanks in advacne.
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Larger panels are easier to rack and wire provided you know what you're doing. They require less hardware and typically the mounts cost less. Smaller panels can fit odd-shaped areas on your roof more efficiently and are easier for newer installers to manage. Smaller panels also give you more voltage flexibility (i.e. you have more S vs P options when designing the array.) -
Also compare the total cost per watt between the two types. The above considerations apply if the cost per watt is comparable. But the larger panels may be manufactured in larger quantities and so cost less per watt. Higher voltage panels, as used for grid-tie, are pretty uniformly less expensive per watt.SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.Comment
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Looking at the SunPower E20 panels which are 327 Watt output they also are "high" voltage at 54.7v per panel. With higher voltages you can use lighter gauge wiring though fewer panels per series to stay under 600v for the system. 14 of the Sun Power E20 panels produce roughly the same voltage in series as 19 of their E18 panels.
With installation costs so very high in the USA (3x what they are in Germany per Watt) and comprising about 75% of the system price it makes sense to use fewer higher output panels and try to minimize the installation costs as much as possible. It also means fewer roof penetrations are likely to be needed and that less roof space is needed.Comment
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Mod note - Post deleted -
FYI I do not and have never watched Fox News - You are simply the opposite end of the spectrum and equally rabid as Fox is.
You want to post then post facts and cut the green BS.Comment
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I pay my taxes. I like to see them go to programs that are worth investing in. Not wanting to pay taxes is just stupid and greedy. People want to live in the greatest country in the world and don't think they should have to pitch in to support the very programs they depend upon. I also don't think waiting on the sidelines while we use up all the fossil fuels of the world is a very good idea.
My appologies to the OP for straying off topic,
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Most pay their taxes - no points for that one.
Everyone has complaints about how that tax money is spent - again no points.
Who depends on solar? A handful of off grid types - for the rest it is fun, interesting, for a few they are saving the world in their own minds.
The RE fraction consists of 1) Hydro and wind with a few other bit players. The amount of fossil fuel you are saving will never be noticed.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Comment
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I actually agree with you, and thats my point. We can and really should do more. We shouldn't be so blind. It's very simple math, the energy needs of the world keep increasing and the amount of fossil fuel remaining keeps going down. Sure, it won't run out in yours or my lifetime, but what about our children? The fact that we could do more to help them and don't is inexcusable.
Hey, don't let my name throw you off. I'm really not one of these save the Earth green propaganda types. I'm just a person that is tuned in to science and nature. I actualy despise the whole "Save the Earth" thing because it's our butts we really need to worry about. The Earth will be just fine when we all die off, I'm pretty sure it won't give a @#$% that we are gone.
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Then we are in the same boat - The green movement is like a bowel movement - however we certainly need to take better care of our planet than is presently done - to date the care factor is not great. I sometimes say that one person peeing in the pool is no big deal - a few billion peeing in the same pool gets a bit nasty!
In my view - technologies take off when it ''works'' commercially - until that point all the political forcing that is done is like peeing into the wind. Today the ''green' efforts of the military fall into the ''peeing in to the wind'' group.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Comment
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Yes that is true Sunking and Russ, but my point really was that if we were to streamline and standardize the the PV permmiting, incentives, and instalation process like the Germans have done, the whole process would be smoother and less complicated. More Solar rooftops is a good thing for everyone for lots of reasons. I know it's idealistic, but it is realistic. Of course it is not as easy in the United States because we have all the States with thier own governing bodies. I'm going to stop here because I try not to get too political. But I do agree with you guys that noone is going to change.Comment
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240 to 250w is industry standard right now
240 to 250w is what most people use. anything bigger is really hard to move and requires 2 people.
you are't going to save any space by going with bigger panels, the efficiency per m^2 is about the same.
Plus when a panel breaks 10 years from now from hail you can probably easily replace a 240w one.Comment
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