Viva Veracruz

jimandmindy · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Chahuapan, Veracruz

Hello:

We are making available for sale three 120-watt “Kyocera” solar electrical panels we brought with us to Mexico three years ago. They were new at the time and we have not used them. We no longer plan to buy land and build here but to continue to rent and have the flexibility to move about from area to area.

We are asking 12,000 pesos for each panel or 30,000 pesos for all three if bought together.

We live in Chahuapan, Veracruz near the Carrizal Hot Springs resort. We prefer that the buyer picks up the panels here but will consider shipping them. We do not know the exact cost of this, but it will most likely be expensive as the panels are large (26” x 56”) and relatively heavy (27 pounds each).

SPECS:

Max Power: 120 watts

Max Voltage: 16.9 volts

Max Current: 7.1 amps

CONTACT:

Please contact us via e-mail at:

jimandmindy@solarhaven.org

Sincerely,
Jim and Mindy Phypers

Leah · Joined: 15 May 2009 Posts: 29 Location: Veracruz, VER

Hmmm...this is tempting. I would love to start using solar energy at our home, but I haven't the slightest clue about how it works. Can you tell me more about what you think about using them? Easy, hard to set up?
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ciscohiker · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:50 pm Post subject:

Did you get anyone to buy them?? I'd love to get some panels set up.

Kathe · Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:05 pm Post subject:

For those of you thinking about setting up solar power, in addition to the solar panels you also need batteries, a controller and an inverter if you plan to use 120 volt power. It is not difficult to set it all up, but it is not just a matter of putting the panels on the roof and plugging in your toaster.
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ciscohiker · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 8:51 pm Post subject:

Can you get solar panels without the battery and sell the powr back to the power company? If you sell back do you still need a battery?

I really want to invest in solar but I only found one company in Veracruz and I dont have a good way to know if they are any good. Any thoughts?

jseaman · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 161 Location: Raleigh, NC

As for using just the solar panels and selling the electricity back to the power company ... you also need an inverter with special switching and phase matching to attach your power to the commercial lines. (The special switching stuff is VERY important so you don't kill people working on the lines!!!).

After getting that together your panels will should least offset part of your usage. If your panels happen to produce more power than your home is using at any given moment, and if your meter happens to allow for running backwards, then yes you are in effect selling the electricity back to the power company by offsetting your bill.

I doubt if any of the power companies down there allow for a formal buy back setup.
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Calypso · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 2:55 pm Post subject:

Agree with Jim on all he said - CFE is pretty much in the dark ages (pun intended).

Last I heard Jim was having Internet problems with his satellite connection. But my understanding is he will use those panels in the latest location he lives. So I am going to say they are no longer for sale - but...?

I supplement power here with solar panels, several controllers and inverters, and a few batteries. Power costs will need to be near $1 U.S. per kilowatt before this stuff really becomes a viable alternative UNLESS there is no alternative.

That written we have a very skimpy maximum kilowatt usage level here in Xico - so off putting some of the load to panels does save money.

I would encourage anyone to learn about this alternative source or power in any case. We had a whole house system in our Colorado earthship - it was capable and usable - but expensive.

Battery technology needs to get better as well. With the advent of the electric and hybrid cars this should speed up now (that pun intended too) Wink

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ciscohiker · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all of the good info. Yea just would be good if our meter was able to run backwards. The only company I found in Veracruz was this one http://www.alternativasolar.com/catalog/index.php?osCsid=724f16300c5debc4ed759a6f3e85502d

But my wife and her family worry as they only sell in USD.

Calypso · Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 8:52 pm Post subject:

Rick - I suspect their suppliers are from the U.S. and they don't want to experience a devaluation of pesos that would adversely affect their bottom line. Can't say I blame them if their source is strictly from the U.S.

This would also make comparing prices a little easier (although I am sure you are well versed in conversions).

I don't see why the U.S. pricing would be a problem?
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