Where to buy 300W+ solar panels in Florida?

[s/v Jedi]

Ahoy sailors,

We sailed our boat from Panama to Florida for some refitting and one of the projects is to upgrade our solar array. We’re currently looking at putting three big panels on our stern arch, going for a kW there instead of the current 220W that we put up there in 2004.

Can anyone recommend brand/model of panels and where to order them from?

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Ahoy sailors,

We sailed our boat from Panama to Florida for some refitting and one of the projects is to upgrade our solar array. We’re currently looking at putting three big panels on our stern arch, going for a kW there instead of the current 220W that we put up there in 2004.

Can anyone recommend brand/model of panels and where to order them from?

There's a wholesale type place in the Miami area, but they never have prices listed. When I replaced mine this past winter (was in Florida) I got from some a place in Arizona as even with shipping that was best deal. Unless you are going to have a truck available to go personally pick up the panels it doesn't really matter where they come from

https://www.solar-electric.com/marin...ar-panels.html

[Rubicon King]

Hello, this place is amazing. One stop shop with GREAT customer service and turnkey options

https://www.solar-electric.com/

[Chotu]

Sun Electronics:. 15901 NW 59th Ave, Miami Lakes, FL 33014

Good prices. They beat anything mail order due to shipping.

Watch out though. I hesitate to recommend because they sold me a broken panel and didn't honor it. Wouldn't respond to my inquiry about it.

However, if you're careful, it's a good place to get your equipment.

[wcapital]

It's been several years but had great experience with Sun - helped figure out optimal configuration & components, and were efficient and timely getting them to me in St. Lucia. Definitely worth talking to them, especially if you are nearby.

Originally Posted by Chotu

Sun Electronics:. 15901 NW 59th Ave, Miami Lakes, FL 33014

Good prices. They beat anything mail order due to shipping.

Watch out though. I hesitate to recommend because they sold me a broken panel and didn't honor it. Wouldn't respond to my inquiry about it.

However, if you're careful, it's a good place to get your equipment.

[Davidhoy]

E-Marine Systems in Fort Lauderdale can help you. Last year I bought two LG 350watt panels, no shipping as I picked them up in person.

https://www.emarineinc.com/

[skipgundlach]

Sunpower panels are the most expensive, but also cram the most wattage into an available area.

Ideally, you could buy them direct; I started that way with the marketing director, but migrated, eventually, to - with the East Coast's rep's assistance - a local vendor.

You can get my entire correspondence stream, if you like, which will include folks to contact, if you need the most possible wattage in a given space, which is what you'll get with Sunpower. My two 360s replaced, with only, literally, a couple of inches more on both dimensions, the 3 120 Kyoceras.

Pix of that change over here:
Pictures: Flying Pig 2015-2018 Shake-and-Break-Down/Electrical Upgrade/Solar

If you want the correspondence, including the pricing info, write me skip gundlach all one word at gmail and make the subject :solar upgrade:

[hanamaui]

Panasonic VBHN330SA17 HIT 330w 96cell 40mm panels from Coastal Climate Control in Annapolis, Maryland. $360 each and no sales tax. I installed three on the arch and one on each side of the cockpit after replacing the lifeline with an extension of the 1" rail from the stern pulpit to the boarding gate opening. At peak, that's 1650 watts, enough to run a long cord to shore and sell excess kWh to the locals.

[Pelagic]

Hi Nick
I would, 2nd Sunpower
The 4 x 327W units have been in use now for 4 years and comparing with other brands are of excellent construction.
Just put a 5th 365w panel athwartships above the tender davits which is a Q-Cell as Sunpower is no longer made in the Philippines.
Best I could find but not as good as Sunpower
https://www.solarreviews.com/manufac...north-america/
This drone shot shows the Sunpower installation which is now part of a hardtop.bimini

[Mikado]

Amazon Prime

[Arthur Garfield]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Sun Electronics:. 15901 NW 59th Ave, Miami Lakes, FL 33014

Good prices. They beat anything mail order due to shipping.

Watch out though. I hesitate to recommend because they sold me a broken panel and didn't honor it. Wouldn't respond to my inquiry about it.

However, if you're careful, it's a good place to get your equipment.

We bought 4KW from these characters-do your homework ENTIRELY
"forewarned is forearmed"

And you'll do best with these fellows

[jas]

Northern Arizona Wind & Sun
800 383 0195‬
375W for around $275 drop shipped from Canada.

[Arthur Garfield]

https://www.pv-magazine.com/module-price-index/

[john61ct]

Mail order panels are not as large nor as good as proper ones from specialist B&M outlets.

Shipping costs can add a **lot** to the price, best to look locally.

Or get in on a full pallet's worth with a local group of buyers.

[briblack]

e-Marine, in Ft. Lauderdale. Also good for controllers (Morningstar), and all the rest