A 150 watt solar panel is perfect for many commercial and roof mount uses. Max peak power on this solar energy panel runs around 35 volts at 4 – 5 amps, and is perfect for a small cabin or RV. Max current is most commonly around 4 to 5 amps at 30 to 35 volts. A 150 watt solar panel can be run in parallel with other panels, but the power that it puts out is usually sufficient to operate on its own. Most units are 5 or 6 feet by 3 feet, and require a large area angled toward the sun. You can expect to pay between $400 and $700 for this size solar energy panel, and these are available from “SolarTorrent” on Amazon.com.
Amazon RV/Marine Portable Solar Power Mat
A 300 watt solar panel can power a small house, and in late 2009 one-piece 300 watt solar panels were first unveiled. Most large size solar energy “panels” are usually grids of many interconnected smaller panels. You can expect to pay from $600 to $1200 for the panel alone, and more for a kit.
Many mountain homes are resorting to these massive panels as power backup, and they help trim your monthly bill by quite a bit. There is no standard size or weight 300 watt solar panel, and peak power is all over the map. Check with your manufacturer before buying. These panels are not practical in parallel, and are offered by “SunPower” as well as many other manufacturers.
A 6v solar panel is super portable, runs around $20 to $40, and is used anywhere a 6 volt battery needs continual charging. One common job for this size solar energy panel is to power Game Feeder and Digital Game Trail batteries. The 6v solar panel is also a great size for class projects, and getting children and teens involved by showing them small practical applications of harnessing solar energy.
Peak power is negligible, and these small panels are generally about one square foot and weigh about a pound. This smaller device really does not have enough solar panel output to make parallel connections sensible. Most at this size come pre-wired with battery clamps or alligator clips. These tiny guys are available in most online electronics outlets, and are offered by “Moultrie” on Amazon.com.
A typical 24v solar panel application would be commercial or residential roof-systems and ground-mounted arrays. This size solar energy panel will crank out about 30 to 35 volts at about 8 amps, supplying a generous 220 to 250 watts of max solar panel output.
Very powerful alone, they are not often seen run in parallel and price will vary from $500 to $800 depending on accessories, specs and features. They are available from “SunPower”. “SunPower” was rated the top Solar Energy Panel manufacturer in the U.S. and “KACO” makes the best solar inverters, according to a recent poll of directors of photovoltaic installation companies in 45 different countries.
There are some general tips that apply to most solar energy panel manufacturers and applications. For instance, always ask if the solar panel in question was manufactured for winter or summer sun. Summer sun can generate up to 3 times more power, and can overcharge and kill a battery unless you have a charge controller hooked up. A handy feature on any solar energy panel is a built-in charge indicator. And always check peak surge power, accessories, size and parallel-capability. Manufacturers and accessories vary, so make sure you know what you are getting.
