How to get maximum solar power for minimum price?
So what are the right steps to go through to get the maximum solar watts on the roof of a real world RV (with all it's unusual sized spaces) for the minimum expenditure in panels?
The method below does not do it (and it also totally ignores shadows, not a good idea), but it seems like a start:
Start in the largest open area, and find the highest efficiency panels you can that fit in the open spaces on your roof. Block off the area they take up from consideration. Repeat with the remaining space on the roof. Stop when no space remains or you get to a panel size that is too small to be interesting to you.
This is a rough approximation of maximum watts you can get on the roof, though it is possible there are better sequences than largest space first to optimize total watts one the roof.
Now cost optimize and possibly even increase wattage by covering more of the empty space:
For each panel proposed following the method above, look at it and the remaining wasted space around it, and consider panels of lesser efficiency but equal or better wattage in the space of the panel plus unused space around it. Pick the cheapest panel that fits this larger spot that is the same or greater total watts as the panel it replaces.
What is a better approach to filling an RV roof with the maximum watts of solar for the least $?
Jim
The method below does not do it (and it also totally ignores shadows, not a good idea), but it seems like a start:
Start in the largest open area, and find the highest efficiency panels you can that fit in the open spaces on your roof. Block off the area they take up from consideration. Repeat with the remaining space on the roof. Stop when no space remains or you get to a panel size that is too small to be interesting to you.
This is a rough approximation of maximum watts you can get on the roof, though it is possible there are better sequences than largest space first to optimize total watts one the roof.
Now cost optimize and possibly even increase wattage by covering more of the empty space:
For each panel proposed following the method above, look at it and the remaining wasted space around it, and consider panels of lesser efficiency but equal or better wattage in the space of the panel plus unused space around it. Pick the cheapest panel that fits this larger spot that is the same or greater total watts as the panel it replaces.
What is a better approach to filling an RV roof with the maximum watts of solar for the least $?
Jim
