Solar Output in Shade?
I'm still toying with adding solar to alleviate running the genny every day. But since out favorite no-hookup sites are shaded, what % of rated output can I expect from a 24V panel and MPPT controller...
Forum Discussion
maxum1989 wrote:ktmrfs wrote:westend wrote:
I'd suggest to mount one on the roof and carry one as a portable. You'll have the best solution possible. The portable one can be smallish to ease setup and tear down or use multiples. Remember, you'll be driving on the road and harvesting, along with the excellent battery maintenance solar does while in storage.
that is certainly a good option, and the two panels can still be connected to one charge controller.
And, if you do much driving vs. camping, the days drive can pick up lots of AH, combined with what you can get from the TV charge current can be a big boost.
I have thought of the two different options of solar for my needs.(fixed and portable). Doing both seems the best. Is there an easy way to have things wired so the portable panel can be quickly hooked up using both panels or not used at all leaving the roof panel on its own working?
You could tie in both sets of panels in a parallel configuration using a junction box prior to the solar controller, assuming the controller is large enough to handle the current and the panels are similar enough to be paralleled efficiently. You could also use two separate solar controllers, one for the rooftop panels, one for the portable. If configured right charge controllers tend to play well together. Either way, I'd use a disconnect switch in the wiring between the portable panels and controller so I didn't have to make my connections with the wiring hot. The arching that can occur when hooking up live connections can create connection issues over time.
