Harbor Freight Solar Panels

[btcgolong]

Anyone using them?

[puwaha]

Anyone using them?

What size panels were you looking at?  I don't know if they have different offerings in-store, but on their web site, the biggest kit they have is a set of four 25 watt panels for $190.  You'd need 10 sets of them to generate 1000 watts at peak power (full, direct sun).  What would you do when the sun is obscured, low on the horizon or at night?

[KiwiMining]

I have seen a few people do it but you would need the perfect climate. In saying that, with this kind of setup it wouldn't be the dedicated power supply I would maybe use it in replacement of a generator in the case of power shortage etc. unless you live in a desert somewhere go for it

[Agozyen]

I'd research the brand before committing to them.  I've bought some Harbor Freight stuff in the past that was really good and some items that aren't so good.   That place is hit or miss.  

[Eminx3]

interestring, solar mining 

indeed very interesting, im curious if the idea was ever perused! Let us know if you make a solar mine! Would love to see the setup!

[LoneRangir]

philipma1957 and buysolar have a solar panel farm.  Phil talks about it a lot in his thread. He's a great guy and I'm sure would answer questions.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2138550.msg21392257#msg21392257

[btcgolong]

https://www.harborfreight.com/100-watt-solar-panel-kit-63585.html


-100 watt solar panel gives you plenty of clean, quiet energy - no fuel required

-Amorphous silicon solar cells for maximum output in both bright and cloudy conditions

-Lightweight, weatherproof construction - easy to set up and maintain

-Blocking diode prevents panels from discharging your battery at night

-Charge controller protects your battery from overcharge or discharge

-Comes with mounting hardware, 12V Light Kit, battery terminal clamps and universal DC power adapter

-USB port for charging smartphones and tablets


Looks a little cheap...so 100 watts for about $160 USB (using the 20% off coupons).

Wondering if anyone is using these panels?



I'll check out the other thread as well.

[mirny]

It would be better to combine solar panels with some wind turbines.
Because sun is not shining for all day.
But wind is blowing almost all time
I would do this, if I had a place.

[1Fish2Fish]

It would be better to combine solar panels with some wind turbines.
Because sun is not shining for all day.
But wind is blowing almost all time
I would do this, if I had a place.

Where do you live? Solar is not great (Yet) but its miles ahead of wind for most parts of the world.
 There's hardly any wind at all, any time of the day where i live ( Georgia), and certainly not many places that has enough wind to crate any real power to speak of. And maintenance on wind power turbine could get pricey.   

 The goal with solar is create enough to sell power back to the grid during sunny times, and buy it back at night...  or use bigger battery storage units.

Last time i looked at solar, it was over 20 year Return On Investment. (if They last without any problems) when it gets down to five years ROI i'll be all over it.     

[CryptoWatcher420]

It would be better to combine solar panels with some wind turbines.
Because sun is not shining for all day.
But wind is blowing almost all time
I would do this, if I had a place.

Where do you live? Solar is not great (Yet) but its miles ahead of wind for most parts of the world.
 There's hardly any wind at all, any time of the day where i live ( Georgia), and certainly not many places that has enough wind to crate any real power to speak of. And maintenance on wind power turbine could get pricey.   

 The goal with solar is create enough to sell power back to the grid during sunny times, and buy it back at night...  or use bigger battery storage units.

Last time i looked at solar, it was over 20 year Return On Investment. (if They last without any problems) when it gets down to five years ROI i'll be all over it.     

they are down to about 5 to 7 years ROI depending on location and theres new AC only systems that are much more efficient than the traditional systems

[NiHaoMike]

Solar panels are much cheaper on Ebay. Good value is less than $1/W.

[benjizax]

also the efficiency % and temp of the panel itself.
I could suspect the cheap ebay ones overheat faster.

[1Fish2Fish]

It would be better to combine solar panels with some wind turbines.
Because sun is not shining for all day.
But wind is blowing almost all time
I would do this, if I had a place.

Where do you live? Solar is not great (Yet) but its miles ahead of wind for most parts of the world.
 There's hardly any wind at all, any time of the day where i live ( Georgia), and certainly not many places that has enough wind to crate any real power to speak of. And maintenance on wind power turbine could get pricey.   

 The goal with solar is create enough to sell power back to the grid during sunny times, and buy it back at night...  or use bigger battery storage units.

Last time i looked at solar, it was over 20 year Return On Investment. (if They last without any problems) when it gets down to five years ROI i'll be all over it.     

they are down to about 5 to 7 years ROI depending on location and theres new AC only systems that are much more efficient than the traditional systems

5 to 7 years ROI Is fantastic news. I'm going to look into this

[joshuaj]

also the efficiency % and temp of the panel itself.
I could suspect the cheap ebay ones overheat faster.

Yes, temperature is the challenge to solar panel.

[dbc23]

Renogy brand 100w panels have had a few firesales recently.  The real problem is doing the cost per watt math + reliability of power supply generated + battery bank cost if you want to stabilize output + control hardware + time or cost to install it all.

At face value solar mining sounds like a great idea, and I give credit to anyone that does it, but the cost is not fiscally or technically sound.

From a hobbying perspective it's a cool idea.