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...
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sjturbo wrote:
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 Laredo 316RL! I am considering solar but have some concerns based on my application. I have read much regarding the placement and pitch of the panels. Specifically that any shading by vents or other obstructions can reduce the panel output considerably or completely. And, With my physical limitations I am not able to venture up the ladder to "tilt" the panels. My concern is that the real estate of the roof of the 316RL is very broken up by various vents and the air conditioner. So my dilemma is since the panels will be laying flat and likely at any given time will be partially shaded by the various vents and obstructions, am I wasting time and money for little gain?
Money for gain, only you can answer that. Solar is only 1 part of a bigger setup to limit generator use. LED's, limited energy use and battery bank need to also be thought out.
As far as obstructions on the roof causing a problem, that's not that big a problem. Like others have said, proper placement will eliminate all but an occasional problem. With the physical limitations you have I'd be more worried about the panels being flat. But that to can be compensated for with the use of more panels. I to have the same physical limitation so with only 1 panel I choose to mount mine on the rear of the trailer so it can be tilted from the ground. When I get a couple more I will probably mount them on the roof. With that said, the 1 panel I have will charge my 4 gp24 batteries by 1-2pm on most days. If it wasn't for the need of a CPAP at night I could run without the generator. But I choose to run my genny about 1.5hrs before 10pm every night to make sure the batteries will last till dawn.
Hope this helps. I know how hard it is to decide on a solar system or not, then on which one. I read and read and ask a lot of questions for almost a year before I decided, then still second guessed myself. But in the end it made sense for me.
Hope this helps.
