05 Pleasureway Excel - Solar Panels?
Just wondering if any of you that have an Excel wide body have placed solar panels on your roof. If so, can you (or maybe already have) share your installation? I'm putting in two new AGM batteries an...
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what little I know about solar panels, makes me think best results are when they are aimed directly at the sun- even a slight 15º angle can reduce charging by 40% or more. Heat makes the panels less efficient.
(I had a solar survey done here at my home)
I see drawbacks to panels on the roof- 1 is effect on MPG, but also they are "stuck" pointing straight up- and in many places, many times of year the sun will be at some angle....plus at many campsites we want to keep the van shaded for temp control in the van and the ambient temp of the fridge
i am considering getting one of the small units w/ panels and controller that sets up on the ground- you pick a clear area with good sun exposure and move the panels to follow the sun after a few hours.
mike
(I had a solar survey done here at my home)
I see drawbacks to panels on the roof- 1 is effect on MPG, but also they are "stuck" pointing straight up- and in many places, many times of year the sun will be at some angle....plus at many campsites we want to keep the van shaded for temp control in the van and the ambient temp of the fridge
i am considering getting one of the small units w/ panels and controller that sets up on the ground- you pick a clear area with good sun exposure and move the panels to follow the sun after a few hours.
mike
