DIY Solar PV panels sold at Lowes

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

These are an interesting development: the cost ~$900 each, and they have built in inverters, so they can be easily integrated into the AC wiring. They are Akeena Andalay panels rated at 175 watts per panel.

Solar power coming to a store near you - Yahoo! News

Akeena Solar's Andalay AC Solar Panels Now Available at Lowe's Home Improvement Stores

Renewable Retail: Buying Solar Panels Along With Screwdrivers - Environmental Capital - WSJ

Pretty cool stuff -- not particularly cheap (yet) at $5.15/watt, but better than we had before now...

[Daox]

Posted last week on EcoRenovator.

Solar panels from your big box stores - EcoRenovator

[NeilBlanchard]

Thanks -- I've now registered over there, too!

[Jethro]

That's cool! I've always wanted to get a solar panel to help offset my window A/C unit.

I made it through the entire summer w/o here in Los Alamos, but down in Las Cruces... EEesh, that thing was running... ALOT!

I still think I'll install it this coming spring. I sleep SO much better in a cool bedroom.

[cfg83]

NeilBlanchard -

I will go check them out. In a perfect world, I'd get enough to offset/power a single-room AC unit. How many panels would it take to run one 110 volt wall-mounted AC unit like this? :

LG Electronics WG5005 Air Conditioner - WG5005 for Sale

You'll be prepared for the hottest days of the summer, if you buy the Goldstar WG5005 Air Conditioner featuring 5,050 BTUs. This high performance air conditioner is powered by 110 Volt " 15 or 20 Amp Circuit (Parallel Plug) electric. It offers 2 cooling speeds and 2 fan speeds, for the extra convenience and control you want to achieve just the right temperature in your home. Keep your friends and family cool, comfortable, and relaxed, all summer long with your new and efficient Goldstar Air Conditioner.

Quick calcs :

5,050 BTU AC uses ? watts/110 volts = 20 amps
=> 20 * 110 = 2200 watts
=> 2200 / 175 watts per panel = 12.5 panels
=> 13 panels
=> $11,700
=>

Nevermind ...

CarloSW2

[Jethro]

Yea, it gets out of control real quick eh?

I'd get a panel, and feel good about it... Even if it could barely power my air purifier.

[Daox]

Well, the compressor isn't going to be running all the time. A solar setup 1/4 the size may be large enough.

[Christ]

$900 for 175watts?

That's pricey on it's own... a little over $4 per watt, and that's considering that you have prime real estate for a solar installation, and you'll actually get that output for any reasonable amount of time.

Of course, without the potentially 400% retail markup, the price would be much more reasonable.

[smokeyj]

Akena isn't making money so I don't know about the 4x markup.

I think that panel includes an inverter so all you need to do is plug it into your house wiring and you are good to go.

I haven't seen anybody talk about the benefits of solar panels just from the point of view of providing shade for you house. That alone ought to reduce your airco requirement.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by smokeyj

Akena isn't making money so I don't know about the 4x markup.

I think that panel includes an inverter so all you need to do is plug it into your house wiring and you are good to go.

I haven't seen anybody talk about the benefits of solar panels just from the point of view of providing shade for you house. That alone ought to reduce your airco requirement.

EH, that's just me ranting about retail corporations. Not a fan, in case anyone didn't catch it.

$4/W is still really high, though.

EDIT: Not sure about the inverter, but it should be offered as a side option. Not everyone cares about feeding the grid, and if you tie in and the grid has a blackout, so do you.