Solar - Permanent mount or portable?

obiwancanoli wrote:
As I work through the process of upgrading batteries, either a 4-jar bank of Lithium 100Ah 12V, one 300Ah + a 100 Ah, or two 200 Ah, I'm also researching the addition of more solar panels to the roof of my Class A. My boondocking plans in the years to come require a more serious look at power needs and requirements.

Currently, I have 3 - 160W solar panels - 26.1 amps total output, fixed to the roof, a 30A PWM Controller, and have room for up to 4-5 more, depending on configuration. Of course, will need a new Controller if I do so. For the solar wattage I'm considering, some sites have suggested an 80A MPPT Controller. I initially thought a 60A would do the trick, but I was basing that on the total amp output of all panels. I also have a 120W, 5.6A portable.

I'm thinking I might be better off using portable panels. As a practical matter, at 100-120W per portable panel, I'd need at least 3, probably 4 to reach my goal.

It might make sense to have some of my charging capacity in panels I can move around when shade impedes. I understand some can be hooked together, but then, there's the inconvenience of having to store, set up, and take down 4 folding portable panels. Perhaps just two?

I understand each person will have different needs and requirements, but is this a balance some strike, where solar is concerned? Or are there 'druthers out there who swear by one way or the other?

As an aside, I have a Trav'ler II mounted to my roof, but have considered picking up a portable sat dish - again, when I find myself in the trees...

I would do two 200 amp-hour batteries. 2nd choice would be four 100 amp-hour batteries. I would DEFINITELY NOT do 300 / 100. I would consider one 400 amp-hour, but there is a certain comfort in two jars.

Portable panels are, in my opinion, a pain to store, a pain to set up, and subject to breakage when being moved. They are LARGE. Not too bad as far as weight goes--but wind loading needs to be considered. Do you really want to be out in a wind storm with rain trying to strike camp? Do you really want to have to move the panels off the bed--so you can grab 40 winks after a lovely lunch? There are other reasons to avoid portable panels--however theft is the very least of those considerations.

I still get 17 amps from my 2005 panels (256 watts), at solar noon. That is from a fixed flat install. Theoretically I should only see about 15.5 amps, as the panel voltage is 16.5, on a perfect solar day, with perfectly aligned panels (tracking the sun).

In your shoes, I'd add ALL the panels I could and at the highest voltage. Say 8 panels in series/parallel (4 per string). The panels, after all, are the cheapest part of the system.

Be sure to buy a controller that would allow for more wattage in the future. Why? Because should the panels break--new panels are quite likely to have a higher output.