Solar panel prices have dropped

[DavidEM]

It has been about a year since I last checked Amazon’s pricing for 100 watt solar panels. This is the size most commonly.used to add solar power to our MHs.

Then it was about a dollar a watt for Newpowa, Eco-Worthy. A bit more for Renogy. Today it is about 65 cents a watt.

What got me looking was today’s newspaper article that said that bulk prices of imported panels are below 20 cents per watt today.

How things have changed over the years. My first panels, bought on line in the early 2000s were $3.50 per watt.

David

[taylorbob1]

So true…
The Renogy 100w panels I have on my roof were $100 in 2021. I purchased the “just used/open box” panels for $92 each

Today on Amazon, the new panel is $83, while the open box panel is $75

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocr.../dp/B07GF5JY35

By the way…
If I did it again, I’d go with the flex panels for ez install and low weight
Currently, the high performing 100w SUNPOWER panel is just $120 (used to be nearly $200)

[ducksface]

Market saturated.
Almost everyone who wanted one,
Has one.

20 year life of solar(insert biggest lie you've read)
20 year wait for leading edge type folk to need renewal.
We are now at the very hilt. The blade has ended and it's a hard stop except as a sales enticement.
Manufacturing equipment has 25year life and has been fully depreciated. No incentiv3 to NOT build panels as manufacturing costs are now 3% of what start up cost was.
AND HUGE GOV'T MANUFSCTURING SUBSIDIES STILL IN PLACE.
Relatedly...sorta;
(elon will be building his own batteries...because...USA built batteries get such a subsidy that they come to something like 11 cents otd if made here vs $1.25 overseas)

Historical equivalent;
Digital watches
In
Cereal boxes.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

So true…
The Renogy 100w panels I have on my roof were $100 in 2021. I purchased the “just used/open box” panels for $92 each

Today on Amazon, the new panel is $83, while the open box panel is $75

https://www.amazon.com/Renogy-Monocr.../dp/B07GF5JY35

By the way…
If I did it again, I’d go with the flex panels for ez install and low weight
Currently, the high performing 100w SUNPOWER panel is just $120 (used to be nearly $200)

Have you seen the stories and videos about flexible panels catching fire?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf0-tXm-Oqc

[m1noel]

And this is nice. After reading this thread, and already planning on putting one more on the roof, I looked at Amazon. The Renogy 100W panels are 82.99. The mounting brackets are 9.99. But if you click on the panel with brackets box, the Price is 76.49. Bargain. I ordered 3.

[10scDust]

What does everyone do to keep up with the efficiency of the solar panels?

I mean, like where I live, near a national forest, tree pollen covers everything with a thick layer of green tree dander, as we call it.

To me, I would think that the panels would need cleaned off periodically. Adding to the cost and maintenance of having them, wherever the RV is parked. Do y'all build a platform so you can effectively reach and clean the panels?

In my mind, solar panels would get covered too. With the roof at 11 feet tall, on our class C, it is a little out of reach for me.

[m1noel]

I generally just hose them off when I clean the roof. Of course, having a ladder on the RV helps.

[fourthgear]

Originally Posted by 10scDust

What does everyone do to keep up with the efficiency of the solar panels?

I mean, like where I live, near a national forest, tree pollen covers everything with a thick layer of green tree dander, as we call it.

To me, I would think that the panels would need cleaned off periodically. Adding to the cost and maintenance of having them, wherever the RV is parked. Do y'all build a platform so you can effectively reach and clean the panels?

In my mind, solar panels would get covered too. With the roof at 11 feet tall, on our class C, it is a little out of reach for me.

My neighbor was told they never need cleaning , till he started to notice they had a much lower output .That Pine Pollen was hard to get off after five years , they scrubbed for two days & they looked much better & output came back .

I use a Solar Panel cleaner that cleans & protects , I use it on the RV & the House panels . Pine Pollen sticks on like cement , after using this product ,the rain washes off almost all of it . I clean all the Panels every year with this product , I used a Brush & water the first year & could not get them clean , had to find something.


I purchased the concentrated one that you mix up to 32 gal. I'm going to make a Gal. up for the Neighbor .

https://www.bareground.com/product/o...panel-cleaner/

[galOnTheGo]

us - 4x100 plus adjustable mounts, cables, controller, ... PRICELESS! almost NEVER hooked up in 3 years of full time. and, got rid of the generator a year ago after never using it.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by galOnTheGo

us - 4x100 plus adjustable mounts, cables, controller, ... PRICELESS! almost NEVER hooked up in 3 years of full time. and, got rid of the generator a year ago after never using it.