Date:         Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:13:10 -0700
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: [vanagon] Solar panel deal !
Comments: To: RAlanen@aol.com
Comments: cc: limbolist@egroups.com, SyncroDoubleCabs@yahoogroups.com,
          ev_update@yahoogroups.com, Syncro@yahoogroups.com,
          vanagon@yahoogroups.com, The_Bug_Pack@yahoogroups.com,
          Diesel-Vanagon@yahoogroups.com
In-Reply-To:  <c4eeb.14276e08.390cd010@aol.com>
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On Fri, Apr 30, 2010 at 5:30 PM, <RAlanen@aol.com> wrote:

> Folks, I saw this deal while checking the site  where I purchased my
> Kyrocera 130 watt panel some three ~ four years ago for  $600.  Now thy
> have this
> deal going on. >
>
> _Click here: Kyocera  KD135GX-LPU 135 Watt 12 Volt Solar Electric Panel
> *WEEKLY SPECIAL*_ (http://store.solar-electric.com/kyso130wa12v.html)
>

That's a good deal.
Prices on PV panels seem to be coming down.  When I had to replace one of my
50 watt panels about a month ago I found this source:
http://www.laviesolar.com/ through their ads on eBay.  I paid $139 +
shipping for a panel equal to the $350 (now $249 from some sources) 50 watt
panel that I'd purchased three years ago.  Printed specs were identical and
after hooking it up it is producing the same amount of current.  BTW, I'm
using two 50 watt panels and not mounted.  I'm using that size because the
physical dimensions allow them to be stored completely out of the way in my
Westy.  But if I were going to do a top mount I'd go with the 130 watt.
Another solar note.  I was surprised at the soldered on cables with a funky
connector that came on the new panel, had to cut off and replace with
connectors with some compatible with what I already had working for me.
Apparently that's the way all panels are shipping now, electrical code  for
solar setups.  The connectors being supplied, once plugged together, require
a special tool to disconnect!   You can see the details on the site Frank
linked to.