Solar panel help

Nikkih72
Nikkih72 Forum Participant Posts: 17
edited July 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

We need to purchase a solar panel, any recommendations?  Should I fit it securely ? Should I just put on roof when needed ? Suitcase one or not ? 

 

Thanks in advance 

Comments

  • dennisps
    dennisps Forum Participant Posts: 51
    edited July 2016 #2

    Not sure I want to give advice.... but just say what I have done! I have used both methods really (not for caravaning though). I have made a folding 100w panel (2x50w panels hinged) which will go on the ground. I made this before having a caravan, and used
    it when going away for a week on a camp that doesn't have hook ups. It was enough to keep a friend's mobility scooter charged for the week! This works fine, but the panels are quite heavy, and you want to protect them from damage etc. When we got a caravan,
    I decided to fit a panel. I got a 100w semi-flexible panel, which is stuck to the top of the caravan with SikaFlex. The advantage of this is that there is nothing to plug in when we arrive, and it is permanently attached to caravan to keep it charged up when
    in storage. We don't use a lot of power, so 100w is plenty for us, even if we have shady pitches, and we can have power off EHU indefinitely! Our caravan is out of warrenty, so I wasn't too worried about drilling a hole in the roof. That was 18 months ago,
    it has had 2 services since then and they haven't found any damp!

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #3

    The only caveat I would add to that is that semi-flexible panels  are probably best fitted to rigid bonded roof panels as any flexing of the roof can lead to panel failure. I have an intermittent break somewhere on my panel.

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
    500 Comments
    edited July 2016 #4

    In addition to our van manufacturers small roof mounted panel, we have a 90W suitcase panel, which works well BUT we feel that we need to secure it with a cable and padlock, it's heavy, it's bulky and it's best to move it a couple of times a day to follow
    the sun. As panels are getting cheaper you can just buy a portable panel and it's ready to use, so there's a saving on fitting costs too. We bought ours for our previous van, so it was easy to migrate across. We have fitted a fused socket in the battery locker
    to make it quick to connect to. Overall we're happy with the compromise, though a permanent installation does offer benefits.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #5

    The easiest (and most expensive) way is to have one fitted to the roof. They are then fit and forget. You need at least 100W.

    All the other ways to use a SP as the poster suggested are perfectly sound but they are a bit more of a faff both to carry and set up and run do the risk of theft.. Again, choose 100W minimum.

    It's all a bit like Sat systems, are you a fiddle around or a push a button and watch kind of person?

  • wye
    wye Forum Participant Posts: 241
    edited July 2016 #6

    Yes I agree , we brought a new van had 140 fitted , best money I have spent ...

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #7

    I have a 135w fitted to the roof. 3rd season, no problems. Keeps batteries (2 x 110ahr) charged all year. Supplies all the power we need and with a 2000w PSW inverter we can use a toaster, microwave, blender and vacuum. If you are going to fix it to the
    roof, then get a larger one than you would if it were a folding type as it is not always facing the sun! 

  • Quasar524
    Quasar524 Forum Participant Posts: 148
    edited July 2016 #8

    My view is that fitting one to the roof is best, it's always there, always on and thus keeps your battery charged even when in storage (unless stored indoors!).

    I have always gone for a rigid panel on mounts that allow airflow to the back of the panel, on the basis that panels become less efficient when they get hot, and this way of mounting helps a little with cooling.  As others have said, 100 watts is a starting point, but much depends on your usage, and if you have the space on your roof, and can afford the cost get bigger.

    Regarding suppliers - Photonic Universe are worth a look, I have bought two solar kits from them, they carry a good range and I couldn't fault their service.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #9

    Well its said that panels are less efficient when hot but with a 100W panel who cares? You get plenty of power from it.

    I am more concerned (but not a lot) about have a weight on the roof and the rigid type breaking when I donk it on a branch (more concerned)

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #10

    The glass in pretty strong.  I think if you donked if with a branch I would be more worried about the rest of the ancillaries fitted to your roof.  

  • Quasar524
    Quasar524 Forum Participant Posts: 148
    edited July 2016 #11

    Well its said that panels are less efficient when hot but with a 100W panel who cares? You get plenty of power from it.

    I am more concerned (but not a lot) about have a weight on the roof and the rigid type breaking when I donk it on a branch (more concerned)

    Ours got a good clout from an overhanging branch last year, and survived undamaged.  If the branch had dragged down the other side of the roof, I'm not sure that the Status TV aerial would have come out of it so well.

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