solar setup at costco. Good buy

[colin k]

Costco in Canada right now have 55 watt solar setups consisting of 3 panels, and charge controller. $285... Thats a very good deal considering everywhere i have looked to date the going rate was about $10 per watt not including controller.
I bought the kit and have it all permanently mounted to the roof of my boler. It should keep everything in my RV powered up so long as the sun shines.
If my fridge was a 3 way i wouldnt need solar but since its a 2 way this was my best option. I had all my stuff running today to pull down my battery. The solar pulls it all back up . Pretty impressive.

[Morgan]

For those in Baja Canada, the following might be of interest:

Harbor Freight Solar Panels

[Paddy Morris]

So I can't see these on the Costco website, what are the dimensions for the solar panels?? and brand of the kit??

[colin k]

So I can't see these on the Costco website, what are the dimensions for the solar panels?? and brand of the kit??

The panels are marketed under Coleman solar power but the panels are made by ICP solar technologies. Each panel is a CL 1200. Dont know the dimentions. Probably my guestimate is 14 inches wide by 40 inches long /per panel.

[Lorraine]

The panels are marketed under Coleman solar power but the panels are made by ICP solar technologies. Each panel is a CL 1200. Dont know the dimentions. Probably my guestimate is 14 inches wide by 40 inches long /per panel.

If you go to Costco.com they do have a picture of the set up.

Lorraine

[Gina D.]

Colin,

I would be interested in how you mounted this.

Any pics?

If my costco has 'em, I am running over there after work! (Let's see... 285 Canadian... $1.95 us... )

Just kidding, my Northern friends!

[Gina D.]

Ow Ow.. ouch!

It is more here, but not very much

Coleman 45w solar panel

They also have a 60 watt kit for the same price, but its 4 15w panels, not nicely packaged like the coleman. More stuff comes with it tho.

[Gina D.]

I am on my way to Costco right now. I will give a full report if they have them!

Our US faction will be interested (And I will be 300 bones poorer)

[colin k]

I fabricated this out of aluminum. It holds 3 panels and fits tight to the boler. Its permanent. Its wired to my battery box i made under the table. the box is airtight and vented to the outside. You can see the solar charge controller mounted there.

[colin k]

Heres the battery box.

[Gina D.]

Thanks. Thats a nice looking set up. You did well.

They don't have them at my costco... oh well, I saved a buncha money

[Victor Benz]

Well, I rushed out and got mine today. The unit was only available at 2 of the stores in the Edmonton area, Clairview and Sherwood Park. When I get it set up and working, I'll provide details.

Victor

[Gina D.]

The biggest Costco I have ever seen is in Ensenada Mexico, right across the street from where one of our factories is.

I have to be there for 3 days this week. I am going to go over there and see if they have them.

Getting it back across the border.. Oy! We'll see.... I can't imagine alternative energy is a big no no for importing

[Paddy Morris]

The Costco in Barrie, Ontario had 22 of the units yesterday, $289.00 and I think they are 3 x 18w panels for 54 total, I am really debating this though I do have a 3 way fridge. What to do, what to do.

[Ryan Kennelly]

I fabricated this out of aluminum. It holds 3 panels and fits tight to the boler. Its permanent. Its wired to my battery box i made under the table. the box is airtight and vented to the outside. You can see the solar charge controller mounted there.

Colin K, Nice job on the solar mounting hardware you made!

[Gina D.]

I am really debating this though

This is a no brainer. That price is practically give away. As Colin mentioend.. 10 bones per watt is typical. And that doesn't include the controller and all the other candy they give you with this system.

I already have that stuff, but it doesn't hurt to have back ups.

They have these mail order, I may go that way.

[Gina D.]

Found one on eBay and got the top bid! Woo Hoo! Hopefully he will get it shipped in time for the Cambria rally.

$255 bid + $50 shipping.. and no sales tax.. cheaper than the costco one!

I think I will try it with its stand supplied before I do roof mounting. I am not quite as skilled as Colin.

[colin k]

Stand supplied? You must have bought the super deluxe version.

[Gina D.]

stand and other stuff with this one

Is this the same as yours?

INCLUDED IN BOX:

THREE 15 WATT SOLAR PANELS THAT PROVIDE UP TO 45 WATTS OF CHARGING POWER
PVC FRAME STAND AND WIRING
7 AMP CHARGE CONTROLLER FOR PREVENTING BATTERY OVERCHARGE
POWER INVERTER TO BE USED FOR SMALL APPLIANCES
12 V SOCKET CABLE FOR SMALL ELECTRONICS
BATTERY CLAMPS
INSTALLATION VIDEO INCLUDED

[Benita]

I was visualizing something like this. Although I have seen movable sun chaser installations.