I'm getting a new truck camper and plan on adding a 170 watt solar panel on the roof, which got me to thinking, why not add another 170 watt panel, or two more panels? Is there an advantage to having 340 watts, or 510 watts, or am I wasting my time and money. The camper will actually have a cover on it when stored, so solar panels wont be used when stored, and it will be plugged in to a battery tender. But when in use, would the extra panel allow me to use items like the DC TV, and still keep up with battery charge by using the solar panels? What do you people think?

You probably should post this in Tech Issues. My perception of solar panels is that they rarely or never match the wattage claimed for them but I'm sure that there are people with a lot more knowledge of this than me.

510 watts may more or less eliminate generator use (except for running the roof air). 170 would be good for storage recharging between trips.

The number of solar watts is usually determined by battery amp hours...one to one for us southern US RVers. If living in Colorado I’d go more...1.25 or 1.5 watts per AH. And, yes, the goal is not to need the generator except for AC. The key is to wire for more than you anticipate needing so that adding a panel is easy. When my TT is at rest the solar panels are too. I use a 25 watt panel and weather proof WindyNation controller to keep the batteries charged. Start with an energy use survey. That determines necessary battery AHs and that determines solar watts.

Where are you going to put all the batteries?Solar is useless unless you have the storage capacity to support it.

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time2roll
Nomad
Nov 07, 2018
100 to 200 watts per battery should be fine. Two panels is probably good unless you have a crazy usage pattern. Many get by on less. Less than ideal conditions may still have you wanting more. Find your middle.
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 07, 2018
Forum members solar
Solar basics
Why solar? 2016
donn0128
Explorer II
Nov 07, 2018
Where are you going to put all the batteries?
Solar is useless unless you have the storage capacity to support it.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Nov 07, 2018
The number of solar watts is usually determined by battery amp hours...one to one for us southern US RVers. If living in Colorado I’d go more...1.25 or 1.5 watts per AH. And, yes, the goal is not to need the generator except for AC. The key is to wire for more than you anticipate needing so that adding a panel is easy. When my TT is at rest the solar panels are too. I use a 25 watt panel and weather proof WindyNation controller to keep the batteries charged. Start with an energy use survey. That determines necessary battery AHs and that determines solar watts.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 07, 2018
510 watts may more or less eliminate generator use (except for running the roof air). 170 would be good for storage recharging between trips.
Shearwater
Explorer
Nov 07, 2018
You probably should post this in Tech Issues. My perception of solar panels is that they rarely or never match the wattage claimed for them but I'm sure that there are people with a lot more knowledge of this than me.

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