[VAC] Solar Panels - cost? + opinions

["Terry Tyler" <tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Richard Kenan, Dan Weeks and Daniel Osterhout,

Thanks for your comments on "Solar - Simple Solutions" and "Solar - More Choices." The question of
cost is always a factor. Here's my unabashed, biased opinion <grin>. 

Cost varies widely, dramatically and often without regard to logic. Those who buy from retailers
selling new products will pay the most. Those who buy from businessmen selling used products will
probably (?) pay less. Those who buy from a discounted parts place (scavengered parts) will pay
considerably less. Those who buy panels off a wrecked Airstream in a junk yard will pay even less.
Those who buy from private owners who just want a few bucks and have the buyer cart them off will
pay the least (maybe). There are other categories (rallies, hamfests, etc.), but these examples give
a general idea of where this line of thinking is going.

What I can suggest is that better than average prices can usually be found by investigating 12 or
more different sources, documenting the details systematically and then comparing and contrasting
the variables. The wider the variety of sources, the better.   

The solar panels on our '77 31' were purchased during the 1980s from a reputable businessman who was
clearing out an over supply of used 53 watt solar panels at a few dollars above cost. 

This winter, we've seen prices for 53 watt panels in the $200-$300 range. Over by Algodones, Mexico,
there's a solar guy parked out in the desert doing a land office business. At the Hobo Rally last
week in Blythe, the solar guy (AJL) was selling and installing solar panels every day.

For an economical buy from the most honest and reliable solar guy we know, RV Solar Electric in
Scottsdale (800-999-8520) gets my vote, plus he installs them or provides a booklet on how you can
install them.

In my opinion, the cost of solar panels (and most everything else in this world) is dependent on
whether the buyer prefers traditional purchasing methods or thrives on searching for treasures. I
believe serendipity is always alive and well, and all I need do is search, search, and search some
more, with great persistence. Almost always, I can find what I look for, I can get exactly what I
want (quality), at the price I want to pay and there are seldom bad surprises afterwards. 

Simple, huh? One more thing. By the time I'm ready to take out my wallet, I usually know more about
all aspects of the product I'm buying than the salesman selling it to me. And, I'm no expert. Thus,
if I don't understand most of what a salesman is telling me, then it's not my time to buy.

Terry
mailto:tylerbears@airstream.net