OregonMan wrote:
Hi guys, so for a while now I've been wanting to install solar on my travel trailer. Problem is I'm not very handy, a little on the heavy side and drilling holes through my trailer roof just doesn't sound great.
Do you think it's possible to get the same amount of power generated from solar using the flexible foldout panels? Would it be possible to just use these during the day as we need them, then stow them away, without having to install a bunch of panels on the roof?
I feel like solar tech is improving quickly. Don't want to screw up my trailer and spend a full day working on this if in 2 years Tesla comes out with some amazing portable solar generator. Thanks for any feedback.
Second question first. In reality portable panels tilted to reasonably align with the sun will outperform flat panels on the roof by a noticeable margin. I have 3 160W panels on the roof and 3 200W portable panels. Even Two of the Portables always outperform the roof.
Now flexible panels that can't be tilted, laying flat on the ground are likely to give the same performance as fixed roof panels.
Downside it portables need to be stored, don't work when driving down the road, take time to set up, and can grow legs.
Upside is you can park in the shade and put the panels in the sun. Roof panels mean parking in sun.
Now for the roof question. I used brackets to attach the panels to the roof. brackets are screwed into the roof. for installation I drilled for the screws, then put dicor in the screw holes, placed the brackets on top, screwed them in and then covered the base of the bracket and screw head with dicor. basically how other roof items are attached. Then ran the cable down through the fridge vents, attaching the cable to the roof with cable clamps using VHB to the roof.
