Have solar panels technology improved in the last seven years

[Cottontop]

Originally Posted by Emouchet

In the next 2 years, new solar panels will becomes available using Perovskite structure compound.
This will add potentially another 5% to 7% efficiency to current solar cells and dramatically lower cost.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perovskite_solar_cell

I would hold on and wait for that technology to mature before replacing my solar panels.

From the Wiki article:

"In July 2015 major hurdles were that the largest perovskite solar cell was only the size of a fingernail and that they degraded quickly in moist environments."

Don't think I would wait.

[TheThunderbird]

I am quite dissatisfied by my flat flexible panels from Gioco Solutions.

Maximum output was 98W out of 150W, as of mid-April in Sicily (not that north bound)

[robbievardon]

I am sorry to say that it sounds quite a high percentage efficiency. I pose this question to all cruisers, can you survive if you do not hook up or run a generator but rely on solar/wind power generation and if so what equipment are you running?

[fabgo]

Where are you all getting the Sunpower panels? I can't find a retailer in North America.

[skipgundlach]

Try:

"Shawn Stutzman" <shawn.stutzman@AlternativeEnergyServicesInc.com >
Cc: "Scott Mchugo" <scott.mchugo@sunpower.com>,
"Dan Degan" <dan.degan@sunpower.com>

Tell them I sent you. No financial interest, but a heads-up to them that you're a cruiser...

Scott is corporate in your side of the country, the others are in my area on the east coast.

[Morrissey]

Originally Posted by Cottontop

From the Wiki article:

"In July 2015 major hurdles were that the largest perovskite solar cell was only the size of a fingernail and that they degraded quickly in moist environments."

Don't think I would wait.

There are some larger available, but perhaps not commercial retail yet. Manufacturing Partners

However, I think the efficiency of these is still in the low-mid teens. So yes, don't wait. I'm a shareholder of Dyesol and have been waiting forever for them to get their product to market.........

[GrowleyMonster]

+1 what they said. Don't replace the panels. Save your money. They are still working just fine. Switch from PWM to MPPT controller if you don't already have MPPT.

ADDING another string of panels is an option, if you need more juice. But considering the cost of really good panels, vs the functional ones you have that are paid for already, I don't see any reason to replace them.

Who knows what will develop in the future. If ever efficiency doubles and price falls, then it might make sense to ditch the old panels.

[skipgundlach]

Yes, but...

See my post above. If you have limited real estate (for a VERY long time we thought we'd have to do a hard top bimini in order to add solar capacity; it would have been MUCH more expensive just to build, let alone populate with panels, wiring and the rest), the greater efficiency may well be worth the price.

It has changed our lives - literally.