Solar, worth it in my case?
Hope I am posting in the proper forum. DW and I tend to boondock or stay in parks with no electric. Although we have a generator I am reluctant to use it because of the smell and noise. I have a 2010...
Forum Discussion
It's not just that experiences differ, it's that scenarios of use are different. Also, systems are different. Shading can be a problem, yes. If you expect a lot of shading and unsure of number of diodes in panels, it's better to wire panels in parallel. But this would complicate the installation - a thicker cable will be needed and very likely a roof junction box too.
I would've never got solar if were hesitating too much, but since solar was the only choice for me, solar I got. With trailer always in the open, and panels 12"-18" from the A/C, and lifted by 3"-4", it works well. One panel I actually had to lift because of 3" tall plumbing vent that was right under the panel, and a reduced shading came as an incidental effect. If possible, stay +18" from the A/C cover.
Keep in mind that shading from roof structures is a temporary effect that (with proper layout) would only occur on one panel out of 3 or 4, would affect only part of the total output, and would last an hour or less.
The first step, however, is not this, but sizing of the system. How many solar watts, how big battery bank. There were links on how to do this a few days ago, in the same DIY section, in a similar post. Don Pianotuna is always posting these links, and they are good. Mostly solar issues are discussed in Tech Issues, and I suspect that some "big guns" were not here because the topic was in DIY.
PS: the links:
Energy audit and sizing solar system, open XLSX file and click on the bottom tab "Solar Sizing" or "Battery Sizing": Solar Spread Sheet N8GS
Solar in simple terms:Golden rules of solar
I would've never got solar if were hesitating too much, but since solar was the only choice for me, solar I got. With trailer always in the open, and panels 12"-18" from the A/C, and lifted by 3"-4", it works well. One panel I actually had to lift because of 3" tall plumbing vent that was right under the panel, and a reduced shading came as an incidental effect. If possible, stay +18" from the A/C cover.
Keep in mind that shading from roof structures is a temporary effect that (with proper layout) would only occur on one panel out of 3 or 4, would affect only part of the total output, and would last an hour or less.
The first step, however, is not this, but sizing of the system. How many solar watts, how big battery bank. There were links on how to do this a few days ago, in the same DIY section, in a similar post. Don Pianotuna is always posting these links, and they are good. Mostly solar issues are discussed in Tech Issues, and I suspect that some "big guns" were not here because the topic was in DIY.
PS: the links:
Energy audit and sizing solar system, open XLSX file and click on the bottom tab "Solar Sizing" or "Battery Sizing": Solar Spread Sheet N8GS
Solar in simple terms:Golden rules of solar
