Off-Grid / Solar, Wind or Generator? When the power lines don't quite reach that far...

Old 03-22-13, 08:36 PM   #21
longlegsinlapaz
 
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Wesson.....I was trying to be subtle!! Discretely let you know why there haven't been any updates to my construction thread for quite some time!

BG.....yeabut, yeabut.....YOUR T & C's included first class airfare, gourmet meals & made mention of 5-star accommodations! Maybe I could talk with Chava!

I'm NOT inquiring as to the source of your dog food supply!!!!!! It probably runs parallel to your list of first/last/only-time visitors to your casa!!

No argument with your list of benefits, but I'll need some serious financial recovery first.....legally speaking.....if you get my drift!
Old 03-23-13, 10:48 AM   #22
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

Quote:
Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

I'm NOT inquiring as to the source of your dog food supply!!!!!! It probably runs parallel to your list of first/last/only-time visitors to your casa!!
Now that you mention it, hmmmm????

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Old 03-29-13, 04:00 PM   #23
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

Quote:
Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz
BG, my builder (aka, the defendant) failed to give me (aka, the plaintiff)
Obviously your still in the same frustrating legal situation as we are.

Regarding Solar equipment pricing in our area, I believe the people selling the stuff forgot they NO longer live North of the Border.
The local pricing is OUTREAGOUS!
Old 03-29-13, 04:19 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CDN_JOHNNY
Regarding Solar equipment pricing in our area, I believe the people selling the stuff forgot they NO longer live North of the Border.
The local pricing is OUTREAGOUS!
True. It is definitely worth the effort to buy it NOB, pay the customs duty and bring it down...
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Old 03-29-13, 10:35 PM   #25
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

Gee, I was expecting "Alpha Centauri" ....... given your "projects" BG

Just noticed the "topic" of this thread
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Old 03-30-13, 07:43 AM   #26
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Old 05-21-13, 08:39 PM   #27
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

My first solar panels 25 years back was $5 per watt, now it is under $1 per watt. The biggest price break though was last year for LiFePO4 cells. These lithium cells are good for 20+ years and 5000 cycles, so when you compute cycle life they are cheaper than lead acid. I'm using these cells now and to give you an idea how conservative their amp-hr rating is, whatever a-hr rating worked for you with a lead acid bank, you can use cells of half that rating with LiFePO4. The reason is LA batteries get there a-hr rating on a easy 20 hour load to total depletion. A LiFePO4 is rated at the heavy draw of a 1 hour draw down, and then only to 80% DOD (depth of discharge). If your running a small 12 volt system have you ever noticed your voltage sag under a heavy inverter load? Doesn't happen with lithium, they are very robust, have excellent charge acceptance, and minimal Peukert effect.

This is two small 100 a-hr banks I've put together and each will discharge 100 amps for a full hour with 20% remaining capacity. If you pull that load on a LA battery, because of Peukert it will be fully discharged in 1/2 hour.



Old 05-22-13, 08:55 AM   #28
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Where did you buy the batteries? You have definitely peaked my interest...
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Old 05-27-13, 08:16 AM   #29
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Always check the clearance page. Balqon - Advanced Transportation Solution
Old 05-28-13, 11:45 AM   #30
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Thanks, some great info ..... thanks for sharing
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Old 06-09-13, 12:57 PM   #31
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

So what would be the best way to get a smallish solar setup down to Southern Baja (Todos)?
By smallish, I mean 8 Surrette batteries, 6 panels, and a CC and an inverter.
Arnian quoted me my first-born son...
Old 06-11-13, 11:14 PM   #32
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

Did you ask for a quote without the batteries?

They are Classified as "Hazardous Material Handling" which means more $.$$

The key word is as Baja Gringo said "True. It is definitely worth the effort to buy it NOB, pay the customs duty and bring it down..."
Old 06-12-13, 05:44 AM   #33
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

Quote:
Originally Posted by CDN_JOHNNY
Did you ask for a quote without the batteries?

They are Classified as "Hazardous Material Handling" which means more $.$$

The key word is as Baja Gringo said "True. It is definitely worth the effort to buy it NOB, pay the customs duty and bring it down..."

We recently bought some additional solar panels in the U.S. and had them shipped to Baja Sur via ACV trucking. For a rough comparison of prices between buying in the U.S. (plus customs and shipping) vs. prices in Mexico, add about 28-30% to the cost of the items for customs and shipping if you use a commercial handler like ACV, some are a bit more expensive than ACV.

If you import and transport them yourself, you can add about 16% to the cost of the item for customs, plus your gas and time. If you do it yourself, importing through Otay Mesa is pretty easy. Bring pesos to pay the duty, they don't accept dollars or credit cards.

We have imported several times through Otay, but recently have been using ACV. We've shipped many items using them during construction of our house. They're a great company. When you consider the cost of gas, lodging, and the time it takes to go up to the States (at least from BCS), it's really not that much more expensive to have goods shipped commercially.
Old 06-13-13, 05:02 PM   #34
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Hmmm...I wonder if it would make a difference if the batteries were shipped dry. I think at least one place I looked offered to do that. It probably wouldn't hurt to ask.
Old 06-13-13, 06:03 PM   #35
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edward Teach
Hmmm...I wonder if it would make a difference if the batteries were shipped dry. I think at least one place I looked offered to do that. It probably wouldn't hurt to ask.
Sounds like an

Add Your Own Acid

deal.

Old 06-20-13, 07:24 AM   #36
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

What was the net price you paid in the end (USD/watt) for the panels when you add on the cost for shipping/import?


Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWooo
We recently bought some additional solar panels in the U.S. and had them shipped to Baja Sur via ACV trucking. For a rough comparison of prices between buying in the U.S. (plus customs and shipping) vs. prices in Mexico, add about 28-30% to the cost of the items for customs and shipping if you use a commercial handler like ACV, some are a bit more expensive than ACV.

If you import and transport them yourself, you can add about 16% to the cost of the item for customs, plus your gas and time. If you do it yourself, importing through Otay Mesa is pretty easy. Bring pesos to pay the duty, they don't accept dollars or credit cards.

We have imported several times through Otay, but recently have been using ACV. We've shipped many items using them during construction of our house. They're a great company. When you consider the cost of gas, lodging, and the time it takes to go up to the States (at least from BCS), it's really not that much more expensive to have goods shipped commercially.
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Old 06-23-13, 06:35 AM   #37
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

For Solarworld Mono-crystalline 250 watt panels, delivered to my front door in BCS, was about $1.34 per watt.
Old 06-23-13, 05:17 PM   #38
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That is a great price when you figure in customs and delivery.
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Old 06-24-13, 06:28 AM   #39
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Default Re: Second solar system is up and running!

Especially considering the cost of spending a few days in the U.S. is minimum $1000.00 (Gas, lodging, food, etc.) along with 4 or 5 days of driving, and dealing with the border, it's not all that bad.

Probably not such a good deal if you live closer to the border.





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