Solar Panel Layout?

Homeless by Choice wrote:
Sorry, I have no answers/comments about your post. However, I am very interested in the comments of others. I do have a couple of questions that I believe are relevant to your layout.

1) What type of controller are you going to use: PWM? MPPT? Ans. PWM

2) How are you connecting your panels to the controller? In other words, what is the solar voltage going to the controller? Ans, Parallel about 12 volts

3) I have read about the shadow effect has on output performance but I have never seen it stated specifically for a design. Here is the chance for someone to address this issue for this design.

3A) Is the total system output less effected by monocrystalline panels when they are partially shadowed? Not answered/addressed yet. Still waiting.

3B) How about when they are connected in series? How about when they are connected in parallel? Ans. Parallel is less shadow effected because of diodes. I don't understand this because I am not electrically sharp. Are all panels manufactured with diodes in them?

3C) Is a PWM controller better or not for handling shadows? Ans. I have drawn the conclusion that this is not a valid question and needs to be dropped. It needs to be chosen based on the panel voltage: PWM for around 12 v and MPPT for high voltage panels.

4) Knowing that there will be shadow issues for this setup, what would be the most beneficial selection of components:

4A) mono or poly crystalline panels? Not answered yet.

4B) Series or parallel or series & parallel solar panel connection to the controller? PWM or MPPT controller? Ans. Parallel and PWM because of less shadow effect and low voltage.

5) Is it better to have the front of the panels tilted down to put wind pressure on the top of the panels when driving or vice versa? Is it even a design consideration? Not answered yet. Still waiting. But a 4-6 degree tilt allows water and dust to drain/blow off cells.

I own a Northern Lite truck camper with a fiberglass roof: basically an upside down boat hull that tapers forward and rearward and side to side. My concern is about the front slope being short and therefore the front panel would parallel the roof line for about half the panel width and then it would rise above roof as the roof begins to slope rearward. It is starting to become a wing. Can the panel take the wind load driving 60 MPH into a 30 MPH headwind?

I am looking forward to everyone's comments on this thread.

LeRoy