Which solar panel company?

Hedgehurst replied on 08/06/2017 18:04

Posted on 08/06/2017 18:04

We're planning to get a portable solar panel for our caravan. I've asked here already about LED's to reduce our power usage, and that's due to happen soon. (Delayed by prolonged bout of 'flu so this is still armchair research at present - most frustrating!)
While we're still learning what's what, I reckon either a 60W or maybe even 40W will probably supply our needs.  It's a relatively low-tech caravan:  water pumps for loo and sink, LED lighting when it's in, re-charging of phones and tablet, no TV. Possibly a radio when we get an inverter in the system too.

Our only heater is an oil-filled 500W electric one, which I think would drain too much too fast, so we'll have to be off-grid only in warmer times of the year for the time being. We've never yet had a heated tent, so we'll probably live :-)
Kettle, cooking, fridge & water heater all work with gas.

I admit to using "for example" illustrations rather than grasping the nettle and doing all the sums - for one thing we've not done enough trips to have huge experience of what our usage is.

The inverter will probably follow, but for now I'm wondering if just the panel will be enough for a good trial period.
I'm finding various companies to supply these things, all with convincingly attractive websites to an ignoramus like me.
 For example, a quick search gives me:
http://www.solartechnology.co.uk/solar-panels/pv-logic-panels/fold-up-solar-panels/60w-fold

(This first trades through White Arches caravans, which is quite local to us.)

http://www.sunstore.co.uk/Solar-Kits-Caravans/

http://www.selectsolar.co.uk/prod/154/60w-diy-solar-panel-kit

http://sunworks.co.uk/product-category/portable-solar-panels/

I'm inclined to avoid Ebay for this - I feel there are bargains there only as long as you know enough to know what to avoid!
Any comments, from experience, on comparative qualities of these or other companies will be gratefully pored over!

I've seen advice to get a decent chain to deter theft - do these solar panels tend to have anything strong enough to make a chain worth fastening to?

Thanks as ever for your help.

Richard

Hedgehurst replied on 09/06/2017 19:06

Posted on 09/06/2017 11:38 by Hedgehurst

Just discovered that ChrisRogers' recommendation, Photonic has a 10% discount through CMC membership, which makes it a bit less painful!

 

Posted on 09/06/2017 19:06

... though I then discovered that as I've found before with other club discounts, the company itself was already running a better special offer, so the 10% was trumped by what was on offer to the general public.

Merve replied on 11/06/2017 14:22

Posted on 11/06/2017 14:22

Photonics is a good company and I don't think you will do better than them. There are of course many good companies about but photonics certainly seem to offer good back up for their products which is a consideration. You don't have to ' match ' your inverter to the panel size. I have a 135w panel on the roof and a 2000w Pure Sine Wave inverter. If you fit an inverter, it is a very good idea to be able to switch that inverter off completely as an inverter draws current even when idling. How many batteries do you have? Just the one? You certainly won't be able to run any serious electric gear on that. Certainly not an Oil filled rad!!  I have to mention, as you are looking to go off grid, LPG. Although I am an absolute evangelist where self fill cylinders are concerned, simply because of the cost benefits, it's important that the heating of water, space heating and the fridge is handed over to the gas cylinder which you seem to have covered. If you decide eventually on a Solar Panel, and I think you will wonder why you didn't do it before, don't forget you will need a controller if over a certain wattage. There are certain advantages to each system- fitted to the roof you don't have to worry about theft or moving the panel around every hour or so but you do have to have a panel big enough to be able to produce power in less favourable times like when the sun is low in the sky. With a mobile panel, you have covered one- theft. Two you have to move it around to face the sun every now and again but you can probably get away with a less powerful panel than the roof one. I have always said for off grid caravanning that 120w would be my starting point but you know what you need better than anyone so I wish you the very best. Monocrystaline tend to be more productive ones. I am just over the Leicestershire border Hedge so if you would like to see an installed system let me know. biomerv@gmail.com

lornalou1 replied on 07/08/2017 20:26

Posted on 07/08/2017 20:26

ordered 100w at 10:40 today 7/8/17 and had email that panel will be delivered on 8/8/17. now that's good service from photonic universe. full kit for £227.99 with duel controller.

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