Where to buy small solar panels?

lusil · 20-02-2012, 01:39 AM

The fan I am insterested in requires a 20 watt solar panel. The fan runs directly off this panel and as the sun increases the fan increases speed. It would be hooked up to a thermostat so that it wouldn't start running untill the greenhouse is a certain temperature. The fan is .7 amps when 12vdc is used.

A light would be like 130 watts 2.1 amps 12vdc
This is just a normal light, so I can work in the evening. It is not for the plants. I am sure I can find suitable lighting elsewhere because the greenhouse place only offers this light.

I would like the battery to store power for the lights and maybe something else like a small fan.

I understand that the solar panels are NOT cheap however I just think that buying them from a company that specializes in solar products, rather than greenhouse products, would be smarter. Then I can buy the fan and other special stuff from the greenhouse place. I really only want a simple setup and right now my main concern is ventilation so starting with the simple battery-less system is fine with me. I can always upgrade later. Ventilation is a necessity as other things, like lighting, are not right now.

I have always wanted a greenhouse however I don't want to use more power for it. I am trying to build a greenhouse so I can get rid of some of my light stands and save energy.
I think that also building the greenhouse with a smaller projection from the house would also save money (less air space to heat by the sun)
I haven't fully determined what to do for winter heating yet though. We use a pellot stove mainly and will be buying a second one this summer hopefully. Our current one doesn't have a battery backup. I think the heating situation really depends on how much it does actually cost to heat. The "greenhouse heating cost" calculators don't predict it will cost too much to heat but I really don't believe them that much.

white zombie · 20-02-2012, 01:43 AM

I dont know what a 20 watt panel is but everything from 6 volt to 240v is on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...All-Categories

noahh · 20-02-2012, 02:38 AM

you need to have a system for them to track the sun, you will get about 10 times more energy from them if they track the sun.

busa · 20-02-2012, 07:21 AM

Maplins,

http://www.maplin.co.uk/solar-mate-1...ing-kit-225014

dolores1 · 20-02-2012, 09:51 AM

Check out making the panels your self, there are sites about this and it is really cheap.

digitalgain · 20-02-2012, 10:02 AM

SOLAR PANEL DIY MAKE YOUR OWN SOLAR POWER PV SOLAR CELLS - YouTube

noahh · 20-02-2012, 01:34 PM

something seems really fishy about these solar panels, China is supposedly making them dirt cheap, but you still can't buy them anywhere very cheap. Seems like they are desperately trying to keep them high priced and out of the reach of the masses, they are frantic to put high tariffs on them, but why, they don't put tariffs on any of the other 10 billion chinese imports.

At what China is producing them for now, EVERYONE would run out and install solar panels, but of all these solar panels dealers, they all seem to keep the price just above where it would be a great deal.

digitalgain · 20-02-2012, 02:38 PM

They have to keep people relying on oil/petrol gas and mains electric because they can totally control these markets globally.
That is why they keep solar technology so expensive, it balances out so it takes at least 25 years before it has paid for itself. Like a mortgage scam

I bet they could manufacture a set of panels that would provide enough electric for a household for heating & Hot water too for about $500-$1000
That is probably the equivalent of what you pay the companies per Year.
Solar panels have always remained expensive, unlike other technology which improves and becomes cheaper over time.

magritte · 20-03-2012, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noahh

you need to have a system for them to track the sun, you will get about 10 times more energy from them if they track the sun.

Its easier to have it stationary and have a mirror under it in my opinion. But moving and a mirror is ideal.

20-02-2012, 01:39 AM	#1
lusil Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 3	Where to buy small solar panels? The fan I am insterested in requires a 20 watt solar panel. The fan runs directly off this panel and as the sun increases the fan increases speed. It would be hooked up to a thermostat so that it wouldn't start running untill the greenhouse is a certain temperature. The fan is .7 amps when 12vdc is used. A light would be like 130 watts 2.1 amps 12vdc This is just a normal light, so I can work in the evening. It is not for the plants. I am sure I can find suitable lighting elsewhere because the greenhouse place only offers this light. I would like the battery to store power for the lights and maybe something else like a small fan. I understand that the solar panels are NOT cheap however I just think that buying them from a company that specializes in solar products, rather than greenhouse products, would be smarter. Then I can buy the fan and other special stuff from the greenhouse place. I really only want a simple setup and right now my main concern is ventilation so starting with the simple battery-less system is fine with me. I can always upgrade later. Ventilation is a necessity as other things, like lighting, are not right now. I have always wanted a greenhouse however I don't want to use more power for it. I am trying to build a greenhouse so I can get rid of some of my light stands and save energy. I think that also building the greenhouse with a smaller projection from the house would also save money (less air space to heat by the sun) I haven't fully determined what to do for winter heating yet though. We use a pellot stove mainly and will be buying a second one this summer hopefully. Our current one doesn't have a battery backup. I think the heating situation really depends on how much it does actually cost to heat. The "greenhouse heating cost" calculators don't predict it will cost too much to heat but I really don't believe them that much.

20-02-2012, 01:43 AM	#2
white zombie Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2,206	I dont know what a 20 watt panel is but everything from 6 volt to 240v is on ebay. http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...All-Categories __________________ Note: As of the 2/7/2012 my laptop has packed it in. I should have a new one by 2014 so take care y'all till then. Peace. Its good to confront your fears The trouble with quotes on the internet is its difficult to determine whether or not they are genuine - Abraham Lincoln

20-02-2012, 07:21 AM	#4
busa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: UK Posts: 8,649	Maplins, http://www.maplin.co.uk/solar-mate-1...ing-kit-225014 __________________ Older, wiser, Faster !

20-02-2012, 09:51 AM	#5
dolores1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Over the hill and round the bend Posts: 12,246	Check out making the panels your self, there are sites about this and it is really cheap. __________________ When you know who you're not allowed to criticize, you know who is in control! Points taken!

20-02-2012, 01:34 PM	#7
noahh Banned Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 84	something seems really fishy about these solar panels, China is supposedly making them dirt cheap, but you still can't buy them anywhere very cheap. Seems like they are desperately trying to keep them high priced and out of the reach of the masses, they are frantic to put high tariffs on them, but why, they don't put tariffs on any of the other 10 billion chinese imports. At what China is producing them for now, EVERYONE would run out and install solar panels, but of all these solar panels dealers, they all seem to keep the price just above where it would be a great deal. Last edited by noahh; 20-02-2012 at 01:35 PM.

20-02-2012, 02:38 AM	#3
noahh Banned Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 84	you need to have a system for them to track the sun, you will get about 10 times more energy from them if they track the sun.

20-02-2012, 02:38 PM	#8
digitalgain Inactive Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 1,303	They have to keep people relying on oil/petrol gas and mains electric because they can totally control these markets globally. That is why they keep solar technology so expensive, it balances out so it takes at least 25 years before it has paid for itself. Like a mortgage scam I bet they could manufacture a set of panels that would provide enough electric for a household for heating & Hot water too for about $500-$1000 That is probably the equivalent of what you pay the companies per Year. Solar panels have always remained expensive, unlike other technology which improves and becomes cheaper over time.