Harbor Freight 45 watt Solar Panel Kit Coupon

[Kixwy2]

Hey guys, if anyone is interested, I stumbled across this coupon for the HF Solar Kit through May 16, 2010. $159 instead of $249. Pretty good!

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/common/displayPage.do?pageFile=magurl5.html


Also, there's a community forum I found that talks specifically about the kit:

http://solarpanelkitatharborfreight.ning.com

Hope its ok to post this - just wanted to pass along some good deals and source info to folks wanting to do solar.

[Lou Park]

A while ago I was all set to buy this unit, then I started looking around. I came to the conclusion that dollar for dollar it's not very efficient. The amount of space it takes up for a total of 45 watts wasn't such a great deal.
Here is just one example.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RAMSOND-80-W-WATT-8 ... 53e0f16ee1

Just this one panel almost doubles the wattage of 3 HF panels. Just imagine how much 3 of these panels can do.
Lou

[Shadow Catcher]

As I said elsewhere the measure should be $ per watt and HF is usually not a good deal i.e. 45W = $5.53 per watt with the 20% off it saves you 1.10$ and you can still do better.

[Lou Park]

Shadow Catcher, what is your opinion of the best deal out there with todays solar options? Keep in mind, I'd like to keep it under $300.
By the way, Is Shadow Catcher the name you chose because of solar power, or is it just coincidental?
Lou

[Kixwy2]

Shadow Catcher, just curious: How do you come up with $5.53 per watt? Only because my calculations of $159 / 45 = $3.53/watt, and I assume that the controller and wiring thats included in the kit probably costs something too... I've seen controllers run $30-60, plus wiring, so maybe the cost is closer to $2.42/watt at the sale price.

I tend to take all factors into consideration, including shipping costs, local availability, return policy, etc as overall value when I'm looking for a product. For example I saw the Sunforce 15 watt panel on Amazon for $65, but 3 of those is $195, plus the shipping costs, then you still have to get the controller and wiring.

What I see on the eBay auction is a Reserve price that's not met (ok, so what do you really want for the panel?) and that returns are not accepted at all. In fact, it states that if they are "compelled" to accept the return, they charge a 30% restocking fee. I'm not ok with that as a business transaction.

Since HF is easily accessible to so many people as a local store, I thought it might be a good deal for someone to get an all in one package. Honestly, I was considering buying it to put on the roof of my CTC to power my battery for off-grid camping. But if someone can point me to a better deal, I'm all ears.

[dreadcptflint]

Kixwy2,

I did a quick look UL SOLAR on Ebay has a 45 watt panel for a buy it now price of $139.99. It is a single panel and takes up less space. The HF are 3 panels 12 X 36. The UL panel is a 26 X 21.

There is a 7 AMP Charge controller on Amazon for $24.99.

Add 20 feet of 14 gauge UV protected wire from your local box store and you are in business.

To be honest the HF is not a bad price but if you look around you may find something better.

[Skotia]

I just received a coupon for this exact same unit in the mail clipper today bringing the price down to $139.00. Sorry I don't have a link to it. Just curious, what do you all think of the $/Watt pricing now?

[bdosborn]

Still a lot of money for heavy, inefficient panels. Here a 40 watt panel that's much smaller and lighter for $76 dollars.

40 watt panel

Here's an 80 watt panel for $116
80 watt panel

Here's a 220 watt panel for $154. Granted shipping would be brutal and it would require an expensive MPPT controller but you get the idea.

220 watt panel

Bruce

[droid_ca]

Thanks kixwy2 that was real nice of you to provide this link to a coupon for this 45 watt solar panel. I been after one for a while. I apperciate the help. Slowcowboy.

Did you ever get your panel?

[smatthew]

As I said elsewhere the measure should be $ per watt and HF is usually not a good deal i.e. 45W = $5.53 per watt with the 20% off it saves you 1.10$ and you can still do better.

Amen! Those HF panels are way overpriced. I'm currently paying $.85/watt for solar panels. Nice Sharp 235watt monocrystalline panels.

The controller with the HF panels is worth less than 5 bucks. I'd stay away from them.