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Solar Panels
Note on industry-wide solar panel availability: Ongoing supply chain issues are now being compounded by a U.S. Department of Commerce investigation into whether crystalline silicon PV cells imported from four Southeast Asian countries are in violation of countervailing and anti-dumping trade laws.
Due to these constraints, until further notice, Real Goods is only selling solar panels as part of full system orders.
Full systems can be ordered on the phone at 800-919-2400 or here on our website by either checking out with a full system worth of components or by ordering one of our complete solar power kits for off-grid systems, grid tie systems, or hybrid systems.
Please visit the SEIA website to learn more about the investigation and for the chance to weigh in on how your business is affected.
Whether on or off the grid, using solar panels (also called solar PV panels, PV panels, or PV modules) is one of the simplest and cleanest ways to convert the sun's energy into electricity. Solar panels are clean, quiet, direct, and incredibly durable, with a maintenance-free lifespan of decades. And solar has declined in price by more than half in just the last 10 years.
Real Goods' legacy is directly linked to the practicality and reliability of off-grid solar panels - we sold the first off-grid solar panel in the U.S., after all. But we've also built solar PV systems for thousands of customers across the country since 1978, and most are still going strong decades later.
Currently Shopping by:
- Remove This Item Brand: Q Cells
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- Remove This Item Brand: Trina Solar
- Remove This Item Cell Type: Monocrystalline
- Remove This Item Nominal Watts: Over 350W
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Solar PV Panels at Low Prices
Note: the $/Watt amounts listed below are based on the module's regular price and nominal Wattage rating.
Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Common Solar PV Panel Questions
Why buy my solar panels from Real Goods?
We literally sold the first retail solar panel in the U.S. back in 1978 (a 9-Watt panel that cost $900!) and have been an industry leader in helping people go solar ever since. In those 40 years, we've seen PV design and manufacturing trends come and go, and we've watched the cost per Watt fall dramatically. We know what quality and value in solar panels looks like, and that's what we carry.
What is STC?
STC stands for Standard Test Conditions, which is the industry-standard performance test run on PV modules after manufacture. The test hits the panels with 1000 Watts per square meter of simulated sunlight at 77°F. Unfortunately, real-world conditions are usually not this favorable - meaning panels tend to perform below their STC results.
This is why it's important to check solar panel spec sheets for output or power "tolerance", which is the amount a given panel's power output can vary from its STC-rated power. For a 300-Watt panel, a tolerance rating of +/- 5W means the actual maximum power output of the module will be between 295W - 305W. A tolerance rating of +5/-0 means the module will put out between 300W - 305W. So to get the most out of your modules, avoid those negative power tolerances!
What is PTC?
PTC stands for Photovoltaics for Utility Scale Applications Test Conditions. It's newer set of test criteria that more closely mimics real-world conditions by testing at a higher PV cell temperature (113°F compared to 77°F) and with a slight 2.2 mph breeze blowing across the panel.
If STC and PTC values are both listed on a solar panel spec sheet, the PTC values are more likely to reflect the performance you'll actually get.
What is NOCT?
NOCT stands for Normal Operating Cell Temperature. It is yet another set of test conditions and, like PTC, more closely mimics real-world conditions than STC tests.
NOCT test conditions are an irradiance of 800 Watts per square meter, ambient temperature of 68°F, and a 2.2 mph breeze.
I have more questions...
Our Solar Techs have answers! Contact them at 800-919-2400 or [email protected]
Solar Panel Racking, Mounting + Accessories
To rack and mount your solar PV panels:
- Follow our guide to picking out your module racking hardware.
- Decide whether you will be roof mounting or ground mounting your PV array(s) and follow our guides for picking out the necessary mounting hardware. Note that only XR1000 Rail can be used for ground-mounted arrays.
