which solar panel

Lyke Wake Man
Lyke Wake Man Forum Participant Posts: 238
edited July 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I have a cheap ebay suitcase solar panel which doesn't put much out, I want to get a roof solar panel, but which is best a glass rigid frame or fibreglass semi flexible, I have heard that the rigid frame last longer, will they be affected by snow/frost in the winter

Comments

  • obbernockle
    obbernockle Forum Participant Posts: 616
    500 Comments
    edited July 2017 #2

    For a caravan roof I think a lot depends on whether you are bothered about the weight, and whether your roof is a solid bonded roof or an aluminium roof. The flexible panels are lighter and therefore better for those with a tight loading capacity, but cannot easily be bonded to flexible roofs. The rigid framed type are heavier but probably better for flexible roofs. I think the rigid framed ones are more reliable. If your caravan design is badly offset loaded (all the heavy stuff along one side, like ours), it's an opportunity to even up the loading by putting the panel on the light side of your roof.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2017 #3

    Rigid monocrystalline panels are the most efficient. Ours came from ebay via China, the prices are going down. We have a 100W panel on our roof that works even in quite low light, so far no problems all year round.

  • caravanerkarl
    caravanerkarl Forum Participant Posts: 29
    edited July 2017 #4

    It sort of depends if you are just looking for something to keep the batteries topped up a bit or to go full on "Off Grid"

    I have just put a 150wat SP I did not go for the flexible as it would appear they don't pull in as much, If you can put it on the roof and bond it using Sikaflex 512 the other thing you will need is a decent controller, I know there are loads of cheap Chinese imports, but I for one don't trust anything that has not been properly certified especially where power is concerned (12v or 240!) so got my controlled from photonic universe there are two main types a standard controller that is fine for most setups, but after doing some research I changed to a MPPT controller, a little more money but will squeeze more out of the SP into the battery.

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2017 #5

    150W framed panel is a weighty beast to put on your roof.  A flexible panel is much lighter.  The downside with a flexible panel is reports say they are not as reliable.  Ask Cyberyacht!  Basically you pays your money and takes your choice.  

    For what it's worth I placed my bets on a heavy framed panel.  If a panel is covered in snow it s going to work.  There is also imho a lot of smoke and mirrors about controllers and panels  I have a Morning Star PWM controller and I am happy with it. In terms of panels there is talk about them working in low light but in reality if there is a claim for a voltage at low light you also need to know the amps output for the claim to be meaningful. 

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