solar awning getting closer?

valhalla360 wrote:

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
Exciting!

We hope it happens soon so we can clad our RV with solar panels and we can be totally off-grid.

Right now I would imagine it has bending limitations because it's crystalline and could easily break when bent in extreme angle.

You can clad your RV with solar panels right now.

Rooftop panels are typically plenty unless you want to run the air/con.

You can get more square footage by doing the sides but that won't generate much power because most of the day, they will either be in shade or at a poor angle to the sun.

If you run out of roof space, a hinged platform on the back could add quite a bit of area and largely be protected. Once installed, should only take a few minutes to raise or lower and being behind the rig, not too prone to damage going down the road...but really for most, the roof provides plenty of area.

Agree that's it's currently doable. Though I've yet to see something being totally off grid, including power to A/C.

My point actually is that a foldable and awning type solar panel is the best and most convenient set up for an RV or trailer as you can have all sides of your unit with it -- including a permanent screwed-in panels on the roof.

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
Exciting!

We hope it happens soon so we can clad our RV with solar panels and we can be totally off-grid.

Right now I would imagine it has bending limitations because it's crystalline and could easily break when bent in extreme angle.

You can clad your RV with solar panels right now.

Rooftop panels are typically plenty unless you want to run the air/con.

You can get more square footage by doing the sides but that won't generate much power because most of the day, they will either be in shade or at a poor angle to the sun.

If you run out of roof space, a hinged platform on the back could add quite a bit of area and largely be protected. Once installed, should only take a few minutes to raise or lower and being behind the rig, not too prone to damage going down the road...but really for most, the roof provides plenty of area.

Exciting!

We hope it happens soon so we can clad our RV with solar panels and we can be totally off-grid.

Right now I would imagine it has bending limitations because it's crystalline and could easily break when bent in extreme angle.

A solar awning would be a wonderful thing! There is only one downside -- as matters now stand, DW and I do a lot of camping in very windy terrain, like the mountains and deserts of the West. Often, we decide not to put out the awning for fear it will be damaged by a gust of wind.

But with a solar awning, I'd be tempted to deploy it much more often, just to harvest the free juice. Knowing myself, I'd probably roll it out in marginal conditions, something I am not doing right now. And once in a while, the gamble would not pay off, and an expensive repair would be needed.

So maybe I am better off with my current awning, which protects me from my own bad judgment?

valhalla360 wrote:
Flexible panels are known for being less durable.

Much better to mount hard panels on the roof.

I would imagine, during the roll-up process, the wiring would fail quite fast.

Flexible panels are known for being less durable.

Much better to mount hard panels on the roof.

wa8yxm wrote:
Link was to a piece on the "Rocket Stove". Not a solar piece.

Hi,

Try this link instead?

shorturl.at/g0245

Why rain on this POSSIBLE parade? It’s a concept, a possibility...a dream. Americans make dreams come true.

Link was to a piece on the "Rocket Stove". Not a solar piece.

There are some materials that may be flexible enough to use as awning material
another options is the garden walkway construction Or I think there is a bamboo roll up curtain that uses like construction.

Basically you make rolls of solar cells say 1/1 inch wide by awning length long
And these are linked together with some kind of material so it rolls up like an awning, but when unrolled it's a solar awning.

Of course it would be just my luck to always park facing west.

Interesting concept, but needs work.

Imagine having it come in contact with the car's roof every day would quickly scratch the paint.

Opening and coming down to a foot or so over the car or tilted toward the sun but clear of the vehicle roof would be better.

But, what would be the advantage of this much more complex structure over a permanent cover with solar on top?