> From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM> > Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 05:43:46 EDT > > What do you think about this deal at Costco ? > http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10300711&whse=BCCA&Ne=4000000&eCat=BCCA|20076|20116&N=4009348&Mo=23&cm_re=1-_-Quad5-_-PowerUpSave&No=8&ViewAll=123&Nr=P_CatalogName:BCCA&cat=20116&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&Sp=C&topnav=&forcelang=en-CA_ If all you get are the two panels and the charge controller, it seems maybe a little expensive. Looking around the Web, a 120 W Kyocera solar panel runs around US$600 from a US vendor. In snow pesos that's around $640; two of them would be $1280. I'm pretty sure you're not going to get a 240 W charge controller for $20, but I'm also pretty sure you can get one for cheaper than ($1800-$1280) or $520 Canadian. If the kit also includes some decent wire, the price is a little more justifiable, but if it's just the panels and controller, you might be able to do better elsewhere. Another key question on any kit: who actually made the solar panels? There are only a few manufacturers, but it is probably better to get a "name" than to get something from People's Shining Solar Panel and Tractor Factory Number Seven. I realize that importing things from the US to Canada will probably incur additional fees; you aren't a big enough corporation to purchase legislation like NAFTA. You could have the hardware shipped to a sympathetic location in the US, make a run for the border, mount the panels to your van, and come back across at a different border crossing and play the "No, these panels have always been there" card. Then finish the wiring at your leisure. :) Caution: this is probably illegal. Matt Roberds |
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