Solar panel install advice needed

Hi westend,

My panels are on aluminum "bodies", so they are installed in the same manner as the more traditional glass and aluminum format.

westend wrote:
The only way the efficiency of the module could change with orientation is if you park the RV in a certain direction, continually, or have shade interference issues. I guess I would orient it with the least amount of forward edge facing the front. A lot would depend on future plans.

Have you investigated any efficiency differences regarding mounting the module on a rigid substrate? I'm thinking that you may be able to keep the module cooler by elevating it above the roof surface. That may pay a significant dividend with power in warmer climes. Maybe not. Pianotuna has similar type of modules on his Class C. He might be a good source of info about installing or using these modules.

Another thing noted: You're paying more than market rate $$$/watt. You may have considerations about installation of rigid frame modules or ease of installation we're not privy to. Basic consideration is that a rigid module has better $$$/watt and the price of aluminum angle mounts is much less than the difference in price from the bendable module.

The main reason I chose flexible is that I have a curved roof made from foam laminate. The top skin does not hold screws that great, as I found out when replacing my old fan with a Fantastic fan.

I was also concerned about the wind at one of our favorite campsites. It is popular with kite surfers and it gets so windy that shopping carts need to be brought inside at the local shopping centers. I realize this may be more fear than fact but nonetheless, it factored into my decision.

You raise a good point about heat. Concerning price, I am only going to be buying 2 to 3 panels max did not make such a big difference in the end.

The only way the efficiency of the module could change with orientation is if you park the RV in a certain direction, continually, or have shade interference issues. I guess I would orient it with the least amount of forward edge facing the front. A lot would depend on future plans.

Have you investigated any efficiency differences regarding mounting the module on a rigid substrate? I'm thinking that you may be able to keep the module cooler by elevating it above the roof surface. That may pay a significant dividend with power in warmer climes. Maybe not. Pianotuna has similar type of modules on his Class C. He might be a good source of info about installing or using these modules.

Another thing noted: You're paying more than market rate $$$/watt. You may have considerations about installation of rigid frame modules or ease of installation we're not privy to. Basic consideration is that a rigid module has better $$$/watt and the price of aluminum angle mounts is much less than the difference in price from the bendable module.

This is the panel I purchased. I do plan to get one, possibly 2 more. I bought a 4215BN 40 amp MPPT controller to allow for this.

I already have LED lighting throughout. The only real load is the water pump and 2 Fantastic Fans. One is used sporadically, the other when we sleep at about 40% power.

I have seen them ty-raped to a pvc frame to make them portable. The 135 watt will charge a 100AH of battery but you will need to be very conservative in your usage.
If you don't already have them change to LED lights ~80% power reduction. Wire an on/off switch in the radio power lead as ours drew several amps even when off due to refresh and the amplifiers always powered.

Mount it so that any shadows from the rig on the panels are minimized.

Hi,

May I ask you to post a link to the semi flexible panel?

I would jump up to two panels.

Hi,

There is no "More efficient" as you will not be tilting the panel to collect more power. 135 watts is just enough to make up for the power consumed by the propane detector, CO detector, and refrigerator, about a 35 amp hour daily load. The lights, and other stuff will slowly deplete your battery, but you can make it through a 3 day weekend without needing to run a generator if you conserve.

I am guessing that this panel is mounted to the roof, perhaps is a glue down type? That is nice. Make sure that you have it pointed exactly where you want it, before allowing the glue to touch, or it will stay where you put down the first corner.

On my roof, I have a pair of 120 watt panels, and pair of 45 watt panels. I can tilt them because they have a aluminum frame, and get about 20% more power when it is pointed directly into the sun. Yet in the summer, tilting is much less important, and you will have longer days.. So you should get enough power just having them flat. I don't tilt my panels anymore, now that I increased the capacity. And my panels are mounted about 1" above the roof, so that cool air can circulate under them, and cooler panels produce more power.

I suppose that you have already heard that it is popular to run the electric wires down the refrigerator vent, to the controller to the battery.

You might also plan where you might want additional panels, and keep them away from the shade of the antenna or A/C unit, if possible.

Have fun camping!

Fred.