Solar install question

adamis wrote:
Many people with more experience then myself for solar but I will throw in my two cents. Having a fiberglass camper, I was hesitant to add any more holes to the roof. I went with these thin film panels by Renogy on Amazon:

https://amz.run/4u4o

I ended up getting some double sided eternabond tape along with the regular onesided eternbond tape and taping the panels to the roof with the double sided tape in the center of the panel (to prevent negative pressure from pulling it off the roof) with regular tape around the edges. About thee years later and thousands of miles and they haven't budged an inch.

Some people on these forums might raise the issue of efficiency loss due to heat because of lack of air-flow and other reasons to go with the rigid and framed panels. While rigid panels generally are more efficient, drilling holes in your roof and adding a complicated mounting bracket system isn't my cup of tea. I will gladly accept losing a few watts to have a cleaner install. They also make these panels in 200W versions so if you have the space on the rough, you just tape the two down for 400w then run your wires. Nothing complicated and no holes to worry about.

Personally, I went with the stick on panels. Sure they are only 68W each, not made anymore and will likely never come off but they work for me. Installed in 2014:



Where I live most unimproved campsites and boondocking spots are closed off for the winter months leaving only private and state campgrounds as the only options. Both of these usually have at least power or full hookups.

I have a pet that I leave at home so that limits my trips to only a few nights at a time. This makes carrying enough AH storage and recharge ability for my meager power needs rather simple and easy.

YMMV.


- Mark0.