Solar Systems likely to become more expensive

[Clem72]

What is the difference between a cell and a module and why the difference per watt cost??

Module is made up of cells. Module likely has a higher tariff to keep people from importing modules and "assembling" them into full panels in the US. Module and panel are basically synonymous, panel also indicates wiring/harness and blocking diode(s) and a standard VCC so you may have two 36 cell modules stuck together with one jack/diode for a 24v panel.

 

[Chris0nllyn]

What is the difference between a cell and a module and why the difference per watt cost??

As Clem said, a module is made up of a bunch of cells.

 

[GURPS]

I designed a hybrid system for our island club property ... and a pretty large bank of storage batteries.

what type of batteries ?

 

[GURPS]

Module is made up of cells. Module likely has a higher tariff to keep people from importing modules and "assembling" them into full panels in the US.

that was a thing on FEEBAY for a while [might still be]


buy a box of cells, solder, this metal strip ..... build your own Solar Panels

 

[Clem72]

that was a thing on FEEBAY for a while [might still be]


buy a box of cells, solder, this metal strip ..... build your own Solar Panels

Definitely still a thing. The only issue is that once you build/buy a frame, encapsulate your cells (epoxy or glass) and put the time/effort into building the panel you have sunk a hell of a lot more into the project than just buying a panel.

 

[Chris0nllyn]

President Trump on Monday imposed tariffs of 30 percent on imported solar panel technology in a bid to protect domestic manufacturers while signaling a more aggressive approach toward China.

The new tariff falls to 25 percent after a year, and then 20 percent and 15 percent each year after, before phasing out entirely. The first 2.5 gigawatts of imports each year are exempt.

Solar panels already are subject to significant tariffs when imported from China and Taiwan.

The right-wing R Street Institute said Trump's decision was a disappointing loss for free trade.

“More good-paying jobs will be jeopardized by today’s decision than could possibly be saved by bailing out the bankrupt companies that petitioned for protection," said Clark Packard, trade policy counsel for the group. "Today's decision also will jeopardize the environment by making clean energy sources less affordable."

The dispute is likely to be settled eventually by the Switzerland-based World Trade Organization (WTO), where China and other countries are nearly certain to challenge the tariffs as a violation of international law.

The provision under which Trump took action has been used rarely, and its tariffs are almost always struck down by the WTO. The last time it was used was in 2001 for steel imports, and the WTO overturned the penalties.

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/370171-trump-imposes-30-tariffs-on-solar-panel-imports