Solar panel and snow load
I would like to put a solar panel on a RV that I leave in North MN. Will a panel take the snow load and -40 temps? I know it will not charge under the snow but should charge in the fall and spring.
Forum Discussion
The larger solar modules are rated to almost twice what a typical residential roof will bear for weight. Don't know about smaller ones but would assume they are the same.
I have my panel tilted but have been up on the roof twice to clear snow from the bottom. With a smaller module, you would need to put it up on a stand and tilting, pointed South, in Northern MN to make it effective. This year, the stand would need to be >3' high. If you are going into storage season with fully charged batteries, you may be OK, as long as there is no parasitic or other draw from the 12V system. AGM's make a lot of sense in this application but you still need a disconnect from any draw.
There's nothing set in stone that says you have to pull wire through the RV. Depending on where your controller resides and position of batteries, it may be easier to have the module to controller wiring on the exterior.
I have my panel tilted but have been up on the roof twice to clear snow from the bottom. With a smaller module, you would need to put it up on a stand and tilting, pointed South, in Northern MN to make it effective. This year, the stand would need to be >3' high. If you are going into storage season with fully charged batteries, you may be OK, as long as there is no parasitic or other draw from the 12V system. AGM's make a lot of sense in this application but you still need a disconnect from any draw.
There's nothing set in stone that says you have to pull wire through the RV. Depending on where your controller resides and position of batteries, it may be easier to have the module to controller wiring on the exterior.
