85 watt Solar panels used

[California Dreamin]

I might be able to get my hands of a few used (but in good condition) 85 watt (normal 21volt open circuit/4.75 amp) rigid frame solar panels, suitable for roof mounting on a campervan etc. These are a branded, 100% working, not sure of the size but 'rectangular' ...look about twice as long as they are wide so should fit sideways across a roof.

Like I say...I haven't got them and won't buy them unless there is interest..Price? what is an 85watt used panel worth? just gauging whether they are worth buying.

Martin

[CJH]

Hi Martin

If you did get these, I'd take a couple from you if they were around £50-£55.

[nicq]

I would be interested, do you know size?

[OLD ONE]

Also interested

[Ant-t]

I'm also interested

[California Dreamin]

Thanks for your interest.....I've had a re-think on this and yes I could make a few quid on each panel but the logistics of posting these heavy parts has just put me off the idea.... cheers guys.
Always happy to help with advice though.

Martin

[Plasticman]

where from and how much were they ? maybe someone else would take it on
mm

[Plasticman]

[CovKid]

Not really worth it. Solar panels have dropped to such a price and manufactured in such quantities, they are consumer items now at less than £1 a watt.

[California Dreamin]

As this was a 'local Nottingham' seller and I wanted someone else to benefit so I passed the details on to CJH who lives the other side of town from me. I believe he has followed this up.
I know the original seller doesn't want to post. Driving to collect or asking for 80-90 express might be an options? however, given the value I can't see it being worth the hassle.

Martin

[CJH]

I picked up three of these - two for a friend and one for myself. I forgot to measure them and I'm not at home at the moment, but I did offer one up to the rear window of my camper and it just about fits inside**. They come with a rigid aluminium frame. They've been on a roof installation for some time and they need a good clean, so I removed the frame to do this properly and I found that the panel is quite rigid even without the frame - and this makes it suitable for storing inside my folded down pop top. I hooked it up to a cheap 20A PWM controller (£12.75 off ebay), and it all works well - I had it charging a spare battery in yesterday morning's sun.

Like the seller (and Martin) I don't want to get into parceling these up and posting them, but if anyone wants me to collect one and store it while an 80-90 Express is arranged, or until we both go to the same meet, then I can do that. He's asking £40 each, but because I bought three he let me have them for £35. He's got about 4 or 5 left I think. He's selling them on eBay here, and you may be able to get one for an even better price, but if you do, I'm not going to collect any eBay purchases - having met him and already bought from him I would not be comfortable going back for items that have sold for less than he evidently thinks is a fair price.

If you check his 'other items', you'll see he's also got some 250W panels (1.6m x 1m) - you'd need a fair bit of roof space for one of those, and a different controller - their peak power comes at 30V, so I think they're designed for 24V systems, but I can imagine you might find an MPPT controller that could convert that efficiently to a 12V system.

**EDIT: ~120cm x 53cm. The aluminium frame makes them 5cm deep, but without that the panel itself is only about 3mm thick, and the cable junction box on the back is about 2cm deep. They come with about 2 feet of cable attached.

[stupot73]

I would be really interested to learn where and howyou mount them. I have a panel about the same size sitting in my garage and fitting it to the van is on my to do list. If you post back when you get them mounted I would be grateful.