does anyone know if you buy a panel now and cant install do to wheather if this will harm solar cells?
631515
Do you mean: "will a solar panel or film get harmed by not being used?" (immediately?) Short answer is NO. Longer answer is also NO. Damage may be accrued due to the materials the panel or film is made of. And the storage time / temperature / packing conditions. So if its dry and room temp and the panel is flat / film is flat then it should last some years. But everything will age and the covering layer may be subject to changes with time etc. But any panel bought and used within a year should be no problem at all. Just store it with care. Update: Panel deterioration over time: 92% at 10 years, 84% at 20 years, 80% at 25 years (of minimum power) According to their PDF spec sheet (pvl-144-43882.pdf)
888201
That is an excellent question. Truth be told, I wouldn't know precisely. My switch 8 out lived my solar panel in the durability. I have yet to find out why my panel stopped working. Anyways, I suggest to browse around and weigh your options. This is great for cell phones or as a rechargeable flash light. (Once you get the light for it) I hope this helps.
273941
I don't know about solar panels, I've run mine on a 12v deep cycle battery for about 28 hrs, and it was working fine.
129418
Hiya, Pat. I'm not sure where you live, but in my neck of the woods (large midwestern city), in order to connect to the 'grid', the power company requires that the installation be completed by licensed/bonded electricians. State, county, city electric codes are rigorously enforced here. So I would also check with a competent electrical contractor to ascertain how they deal with the modifications you intend to use. Where I live, at least, the contractors are willing to work with you. edit: "Due to the cost of systems, most people do not buy large systems to "sell back." And utilities usually only pay full retail rate for your electricity until your meter hits zero. When you start producing a surplus, most utilities will not pay more than "avoided cost" --for example, their fuel charges, which are usually not more than $0.02 to $0.04 per kWh." -- Chapter 14 Grid-Tie Systems, "The Complete Idiot's guide to SOLAR POWER for YOUR HOME 2nd ed. by Dan Ramsey with David Huges." cheers,
2129614
It will depend on how you plan to connect it to the charge controller and what the total amount of watts of panel you are connecting. So no, but you would need to check.
2120059
Hello, Just to inform you, it is best if you purchase a power pack battery to charge with the solar panel. When I've used the solar direct to my phone, it short circuited my phone (zapped it, where my phone does not work). Hope this helped you... Good luck.
1052286
The plug-in charger only puts out 2 amps. If your solar panel USB port has similar output there should not be a problem.
368329
Those solar panels are very good, you can easy install them and use, make sure you will have controller connected.
1942267
This device is specifically designed to be used to tie solar cells into the grid(your power system) with the minimum of issues.You plug your solar inverter into any outlet of your home and up to two of the 136 watt flexible solar cells on the DC side of the unit ...vowla you have an inexpensive very automated solar system that is easy to add wattage to. I have not had time to install mine yet. Good luck!
495864
You can install an inverter to your battery and use the solar to charge it. You can not run an inverter directly from the solar panels.
805777
I haven't got the bill yet. I plan to install more solar colectors to offset the cost. I have a 20K system now and SCE will not let me install more until I use more electricity!!
1153878
Yes. You should remove power. Follow Abbot F. answer for the steps. Some people answering are saying that "if you are careful" or the power is low voltage and won't hurt you. This isn't the main reason for removing the power. It is in your best interest to protect the new device installing, and also the panel you are connecting it to by removing the power before installing.
2219558
Not at all. Mine have been out since September and all 4 work great. Get the solar panel for it. WELL WORTH IT!!
32565
I wouldn't do that if it were me. Just because it might doesn't outweigh the fact you can cause major damage to your laptop. The proper way to do this would be to get a battery and run your laptop through an inverter. This panel would keep the battery charged.
1147717
We've not had any problem at all. Our stays outside all the time. If I remember correctly, there was a dark film covering the top of the solar panel. I'd just suggest checking to ensure that this film has been removed.
1708111
Good question, no you shouldn't, you will expose the rest of the panel to water and dust damage. It is sealed around the edges. Usually if you damage a portion of a panel you will lose much more power than what was damaged. Cutting will compromise the integrity of the panel. Either leave it attached and the extra folded over the edge or figure out something else.
2011666
I don't think so. The solar cell may charge without direct exposure to sunlight but it may not be enough to charge the battery completely. I have installed mine where sun does hit directly for few hours and the rest of the time it is at an angle but it still works perfectly. The light is not very bright, please keep that in mind.