Solar Rv awning -- does it pencil out?

[profdant139]

Great idea, but at ten thousand dollars for a thousand watts, I'm not sure it is worthwhile for me:

Article

[pianotuna]

$10 per watt=ridiculously expensive.

[Timmo_]

Here is a link to Solar vs Honda financial breakeven analysis that will help determine which source of power is cost effective. This analysis indicates for the Honda 2000, it will take about 5.5 year breakeven, or around 1954 days of usage.



https://www.nroa2003.com/download/Miscellaneous/Cost_of_Solar_vs_Honda.xls

Of course the breakeven analysis for carbon emissions is a different story all together. At what point does the accumulated emissions from the generator's manufacture and operation match that of the solar panel emissions? If we take a page from the BEV's breakeven analysis, then it probably is several years away for heavy RV users and probably never for the occasional weekender.

[Danieljason]

Can I install a solar awning on my Ford E-Series Van? Is the power it generates significant? Need advice! Thanks!

[noteven]

The Everlanders on you toob and the web doubled their panel capacity on a truck camper by using a slide system to deploy panels to the sides of the fixed set. They also shade the sides of the camper somewhat. They retract automatically if you forget when you go to move the truck.

The system uses conventional rigid panels and common rugged commercial parts.

[valhalla360]

Dusty R wrote:
Is there anyway of knowing how much power you can get from a solar panel in a given area ?

Sure, there are maps you can look up that estimate output when coupled with the panel ratings.

This thing though is a joke. Much better options...especially when it negates having an actual awning.

The roof is the logical first place for panels and after that smaller rigid panels that fold down to the sides would be a smarter option...and much cheaper.

[Skibane]

Lwiddis wrote:
and there’s no charging when rolled up while driving or during windy days.

You get charging-while-driving from the engine in the tow vehicle or motorhome anyway - so that's not a "problem" that this "solution" solves.

Basically, they took all the problems inherent in solar systems - and then added a few more by throwing an awning into the mix.

Do Not Want.

[time2roll]

$10 per watt is on the high side. Pass.

[Skibane]

All 3 of the pictures in that article show the awning in shade - where it produces almost no power.

And in the real world, that's going to be a very common problem: Most campsites are shaded, because that's what campers want.

Shaded campsites produce little or no solar power.

And even if you're willing and able to park your RV in direct sunlight, you'll still have to deploy the awning to get any power out of it - in contrast to roof-mounted panels that produce power any time there's unshaded sunlight available.

[Michelle_S]

On our Winter Florida site, our awning faces North while the Sun is on the South side, so wouldn't generate anywhere near max.
While a neat idea, not overly practical in most cases.

[Dusty_R]

Is there anyway of knowing how much power you can get from a solar panel in a given area ?

[Lwiddis]

Not in my opinion and there’s no charging when rolled up while driving or during windy days.