Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!iuvax!cica!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!vsi1!daver!wombat!george
From: george@wombat.UUCP (George Scolaro)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Solar Power
Keywords: solar sun
Message-ID: <1182@wombat.UUCP>
Date: 14 Jan 90 20:21:28 GMT
References: <122@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu> <15437@vlsisj.VLSI.COM> <1990Jan14.021014.26614@phri.nyu.edu>
Reply-To: george@wombat.UUCP (George Scolaro)
Organization: Assn. for the prevention of Polar Bears and Kangaroos
Lines: 30

In article <1990Jan14.021014.26614@phri.nyu.edu> roy@phri.nyu.edu (Roy Smith) writes:
>In <15437@vlsisj.VLSI.COM> davidc@vlsisj.UUCP (David Chapman) writes:
>> You can get an idea of how expensive solar cells are by visiting your local
>> marine or RV supply house.
>
>	Indeed.  E & B Discount Marine (one of the big catalogs) lists a
>"high output" solar panel which develops 5 W (presumably this means in bright
>sunlight) for $98.95.  Not very cost effective.

Checking out marine and RV places is not the best way to find out about solar
panel prices. These places are very expensive (they cater for people with
more money than they need, ie recreational activities). If you want to get
realistic prices, call Solarex. They manufacture and distribute solar panels
world wide. The panels are made from marine grade materials and are designed
for real world use, i.e. unattended outdoor use.

I use one of their 40 watt panels in australia for charging a 12 v gell cell
that runs a small Engel fridge (to keep essentials cool) while out bush.
Telecom Australia uses lots of their panels for powering remote repeaters
and telephones (yes I have called home from a solar powered telephone!).
The panel cost around AUS$400 a couple of years ago, and on last checking
the price over here (in the USA) they was cheaper, exchange rate etc. They
also have more efficient panels now. The 40 watt panel is approx. 1 metre x
1/2 metre x 3 cm.

best regards,
-- 
George Scolaro
george@wombat
(try {pyramid|sun|vsi1|killer} !daver!wombat!george) [37 20 51 N / 122 03 07 W]