The Class C SOLAR motorhome from Europe

All those solar panels won't bring in squat. The ones on the side bring in substationally less power than rooftop ones. Even with all those, it still can't run an A/C, much less get enough power to spin the driveshaft past the torque converter.

I've wondered why RV makers don't do something more practical: Awnings on four sides with flexible solar panels on each. That would bring in a lot more electricity than slapping panels on the sides. It definitely would not move the vehicle, but would allow for 1000-1500 watts of solar at least, which won't run an A/C, but could help with a microwave or kitchen appliances.

3kw of solar panels is about 4hp. That's in ideal conditions.

Ideal conditions for stationary panels is typically 4-5hr per day.

107hp is about 82kw. 3kw x 4hr= 12kwh or a little less than 9 minutes at the rated power (which isn't that much)

But wait, I'll give you dollars for dougnuts that the 3000w of panels includes the official rating of all the panels. In reality you will be lucky to get half the panels in the sunlight. Seriously, look at the bottom one on the front overhang. It's aimed down at the ground. So give them a generous 50% rating and you are down to about 4.5min per day at the rated power. Assuming you push it down a hill to get it started, you've got maybe 4 miles of range per day under solar.

Hope you don't camp in a forested area. Just a single branch shading a panel can kill all of it's output.

I also like how they claim it's eco friendly because the black sides absorb heat when it's above 79F. Most RV's are hot boxes when it gets into the 80's cooling is much more important.

Why do the proponents always over promise and then look like idiots? It turns people off from viable technologies. Used appropriately, solar and batteries can do good things and you can make RV's more efficient but this is a total joke.

It is a step in the right direction, but I notice that the web article implies that the 3KW of solar is adequate for charging the EV batteries. Maybe if you are ok with driving 100 miles and waiting for 2 weeks of steady sun so you can drive home. It would be much more practical if they made it a plugin EV-hybrid like the Chevy Volt. With no hybrid component you would be totally dependent on plugging it in at every campsite.

This is my dream vehicle 100% self contained BUT they need to work on so many things about it before it becomes practical. Nice to see a step in the right direction.

We have a local guy that has a cub van with panels on the roof and both sides. I think he lives in it but I have yet to see him when I have time to talk.

SidecarFlip wrote:

punomatic wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
Just the ticket to go to the local campground or go 'cross country' 100 miles a day...

You wouldn't ever have to worry about driving for too long on any given day.

Fair statement but, Imagine being in a traffic jam and running out of juice.... Bad ju-ju...

Still fugly.

Not only that has anyone thought of the what Rocks and dirt would do the panels?

punomatic wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
Just the ticket to go to the local campground or go 'cross country' 100 miles a day...

You wouldn't ever have to worry about driving for too long on any given day.

Fair statement but, Imagine being in a traffic jam and running out of juice.... Bad ju-ju...

Still fugly.

SidecarFlip wrote:
Just the ticket to go to the local campground or go 'cross country' 100 miles a day...

You wouldn't ever have to worry about driving for too long on any given day.

Just the ticket to go to the local campground or go 'cross country' 100 miles a day...

and.... It's butt ugly to boot. Reminds me of a kitchen tile floor but vertical.

That is very cool!

Here's the battery specs. Very different chemistry from Li RV batteries. I really like seeing battery technology getting more and more robust.

228ah seems very, very low for this application. I suppose the solar would be counted on for support. I carry a 100ah 48v pack and it's not very big or heavy.