Solar Panels??

Hi,

I don't see it as daunting at all. Here is a simple flow chart.

Budget-->Energy Audit-->Battery bank size-->number of watts-->PWM or MPPT.

For a small battery bank lean towards 150 watts per 100 amp-hours. As the size of battery bank increases, lean towards (but do not go below) 60 watts per 100 amp-hours.

If you full time and boondock lots, then populate the roof with unshaded panels and go with an MPPT controller to extract every watt possible.

deltabravo wrote:
It was a daunting task trying to piece together my own system, so I left it up to the experts at AM Solar. Then I let them handle the installation too.

Watts is good if getting a more expensive MPPT controller. Especially when looking at high voltage panels.

For typical 12v panels with low cost PWM controller look at Isc or short circuit amps for the estimated output. More amps per dollar is better.

www.solarblvd.com
Be sure to compare shipping or find a local supplier to pick up.

I went with a system from www.amsolar.com
It was a daunting task trying to piece together my own system, so I left it up to the experts at AM Solar. Then I let them handle the installation too.

Hi,

I look at cost per installed watt.

Bearsfanatic85 wrote:
I would like to know what users look for in a solar panel.

I'm only expecting it to extend my possibility to stay at one place for a longer time than without solar. A panel of 140W is enough for this in my case, but if you want a daily complete recharge under all sircumstances, you'll need more.

Crazy Ray wrote:
Ken, the best you should do is a SEARCH , there's 50 + posting on your question. JMO

If people were told to search all the time, then the forum becomes a place where no one interacts with each other.

The purpose of a forum is to ask questions and provide answers, not tell people "go search and you will find your answers." To a new member, telling them to go search set a bad tone.

Bearsfanatic85 wrote:
...So I said well couldnt I just get enough to get between 140 to 200 amps, they laughted and said that sure if you dont want to be able to see out the windows!...

I suspect they took you at your word - I assume you meant you wanted 140 to 200 Watts not Amps - at Solar panel voltages 200 Amps would imply 3000+ Watts. I have 2 fairly large solar panels on my camper roof, they are 80 Watts each. To get 200 amps would require 37 of them - hence their joke about not seeing out of the windows :B

Steve.

Great info Folks, I appreciate the input, Its kinda funny that I work for a company that makes solar panels and when I asked them about it they were like "oh no we only make panels that can recharge cell phone batteries", So I said well couldnt I just get enough to get between 140 to 200 amps, they laughted and said that sure if you dont want to be able to see out the windows! So how ironic that I help make solar panels and I have to go to a competitor to buy one for my needs!

The panels you will find will provide either 17.7v or 34v of output. The higher voltage will be better there will be less current loss going from the panel to the charge controller.

The panels put out around 5-6 amps and that is more than enough to charge a battery in 4-5 hours of daylight. Once the battery is fully charged any extra output from the solar panel is wasted.

Generally speaking a 100 AH battery should be discharged no more than 50% and the 50 amps would take up to 10 hours to replace. We use at most 30 amps overnight and a single 100 Watt 6 amp panel would take us back to 100% before noon.

Check your roof and see what will fit. Two that are good for campers are the panels from amsolar.com and the Kyocera 140 Watt panel. Both are narrow and fit more places.

Of course, he does cite Handy Bob as a source and recommended installer. ;-)