Is there such a thing as cheap solar/wind?

[peterchech]

Any tips/tricks for obtaining solar panels cheaply? (besides sitting on e-bay for 6 months till a deal comes along on a kyocera).

PSE&G just put up thousands of panels on New Jersey electrical poles, I wonder if they have excess that they would sell or something? Are there other ways of obtaining used or otherwise cheap panels for a do it yourselfer?

I'm not talking about a set-up to run a refrigerator off of while crossing the pacific, but rather something rigged up for topping off the batteries during extended weekending.

How about wind generation? Lots of DIY wind generator projects online, does anyone have any real experience with these types of project windmills on boats?

Just curious for some input from any scroungers/DIYers out there.

[tommays]

A brand new sunwize 40 watt panel Is 179 dollars

[mitiempo]

Good panels aren't that expensive.

Under 100 watts :1 to 100 Watt Solar Electric Panels

Over 100 watts: High Power Solar Panels - Over 100 Watts

Even the Kyocera 135 watt panel is only $330

[kwaltersmi]

What's your budget? What batteries do you have? What are you powering with your batteries and/or solar panels?

[emoney]

You can buy 3 - 15watt panels (45 watts total) including the charge indicator, all in kit form
from Harbor Freight for $140s with a 20% off coupon. Most every location stocks them.
Here's a website link;
Solar Panel Kit - Save on this 45 Watt Solar Panel Kit

[velero]

It's not the cost of the panel it is the freight that is painful..... They want 300 for one panel....

[peterchech]

Originally Posted by kwaltersmi

What's your budget? What batteries do you have? What are you powering with your batteries and/or solar panels?

The smaller the budget the quicker I can set up my boat. If I can find something that totals under $100, I would be able to get it now. Haha "cheap" is relative I suppose.

I am in the process of installing a house battery right now. So I have a starter battery and a house battery. I need the battery to power running lights, anchor light, charge up some cell phones/laptops, a water pump for washing dishes and interior lights.