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Semi-related —- does anyone have recommendations for where to find small hobbyist solar panels and/or kits to experiment with for small devices like a Pi? Also

by scrose 5y ago

Semi-related —- does anyone have recommendations for where to find small hobbyist solar panels and/or kits to experiment with for small devices like a Pi? Also curious about how a setup like this compares with using a traditional electricity source in terms of cost per hr of running the site off of solar with batteries. What is the break even point against utility costs over there(if there is one)? And are there any concerns about the sustainability of a setup like this if it’s adopted on a larger scale?

DavidGetchel 5y ago
For small panels, check sites already suggested by others. If you want to experiment with larger panels, craigslist or similar have good deals. Used panels or new leftovers from a pallet. I've paid $130ish each for 4 panels 280w-315w. And since it's local, you don't get dinged for shipping.
louwhopley 5y ago
Sparkfun is a great goto place for electronic stuff like this. However, I’m sure there’s more specialized solar panel sources. Https://sparkfun.com
noman-land 5y ago
Adafruit has a variety of them. https://www.adafruit.com/search?q=solar%20panel https://www.adafruit.com/search?q=solar%20panel
folmar 5y ago
For hobby/experiment use decomissioned panels from upgaded farms, sometimes you can get two years old panels that were swapped for more efficient ones for a fraction of the original price. For setup with batteries there is (depending slightly on local electricy cost) no long time break-even - the battery deprecation due to discharge cycle costs more than electricity from the utility.
stephen_g 5y ago
I'd look for solar panels intended for camping. Probably eBay or Amazon is the easiest place to look for cheap gear. Hobbyist electronic stores might be a good source too depending on the country (here in Australia Jaycar has some fairly good value panels and PWM solar charge controllers).
driverdan 5y ago
Unless you don't have the space there's no reason to go smaller than a 100W panel. You can find them used for $50 or less. For smaller panels the cost per watt goes up enough that it ends up costing the same for less output.
strickvl 5y ago
If you're in the UK, Pimoroni (https://shop.pimoroni.com/?q=solar https://shop.pimoroni.com/?q=solar) has some good options as well.

by scrose 5y ago

DavidGetchel 5y ago

For small panels, check sites already suggested by others. If you want to experiment with larger panels, craigslist or similar have good deals. Used panels or new leftovers from a pallet. I've paid $130ish each for 4 panels 280w-315w. And since it's local, you don't get dinged for shipping.

louwhopley 5y ago

Sparkfun is a great goto place for electronic stuff like this. However, I’m sure there’s more specialized solar panel sources. Https://sparkfun.com

noman-land 5y ago

Adafruit has a variety of them. https://www.adafruit.com/search?q=solar%20panel https://www.adafruit.com/search?q=solar%20panel

folmar 5y ago

For hobby/experiment use decomissioned panels from upgaded farms, sometimes you can get two years old panels that were swapped for more efficient ones for a fraction of the original price. For setup with batteries there is (depending slightly on local electricy cost) no long time break-even - the battery deprecation due to discharge cycle costs more than electricity from the utility.

stephen_g 5y ago

I'd look for solar panels intended for camping. Probably eBay or Amazon is the easiest place to look for cheap gear. Hobbyist electronic stores might be a good source too depending on the country (here in Australia Jaycar has some fairly good value panels and PWM solar charge controllers).

driverdan 5y ago

Unless you don't have the space there's no reason to go smaller than a 100W panel. You can find them used for $50 or less. For smaller panels the cost per watt goes up enough that it ends up costing the same for less output.

strickvl 5y ago

If you're in the UK, Pimoroni (https://shop.pimoroni.com/?q=solar https://shop.pimoroni.com/?q=solar) has some good options as well.