Solar or Generator??

Ramblin Recks wrote:
I hadn't given a portable solar kit much thought, I will research.

Don't. Pianotuna is right - this is a niche that works for only a few. I would understand portable when panels were expensive, but not now that they are cheap.

Don is also right that you can have enough panels to work in the shade, though don't count on much. Check amorphous panels, though - rigid and flexible. I did, and come to conclusion that unless for very specific reasons like very expensive motorhome that you just can't bring yourself to drilling any holes in, and therefor have to go for glue-on flexible strips, or if you are camping in the shade often and for long periods of time - I don't think amorphous flexible is the way to go. Another reason to consider amorphous flexible would be - if 2 long narrow strips fit your roof better than 2 or 3 rectangular crystalline panels.

Amorphous rigid - not sure either. Don says they work better in low light, must be true. But they are less efficient in full light. For a mere few days of boondocking I wouldn't set such a specific goal as shade-efficient panels. Forget about that photo by BFL13 titled "Good luck with any solar here". He probably stayed there 1 or 2 days, and scared the heck out of you all :) ... With 4 *6V batts you could stay 4-5 days in the darkest forest with low overcast, if you wanted to. Probably even BFL could, despite his dislike of the term "energy conservation". I would be able to stay there with 4*GC for 7-8 days, with lights, furnace and some laptop use. Energy use per person varies a lot - depending mostly on a particular person, so you should know where you are on this scale.