Solar Idea(needs sanity check)

[hhs99]

I am looking at building my teardrop and had the idea of placing solar panels on the roof as part of the roof. I would cover them in something protective such as Plexiglas or clear epoxy. Basicly when sitting still the teardrop would collect solar based in addition to my actual mobile panels. Thoughts?

[dales133]

Youd be best off using the flexi panels but id just mount them on a traditional skin so they can be replaced easily.
You can get no drill mounting kits for them too

[hhs99]

Do you think the weight vs benefits would be to out of wack? I would have deep cycle batteries and only be using power when absolutely needed.

[dales133]

Weight of the pannels?
The flexi pannels come on about 3mm acrylic pannel and are realy light.
You wont look back once you get solar.
One thing id add though is i was going to do the same thing but im rethinking it due to the fact pannels arnt cheap and i cant afford 2,if your camped in the shade your pannels not going to be working verry efficiently compared to if you can move it around camp to take advantage of the sun.
Food for though anyway

Edit:sorry i missed that you already have other panels.

[MtnDon]

If you place another layer, even clear glass, plexi, whatever, you will lose PV efficiency.

[GuitarPhotog]

Not to mention that mounting the panels to the trailer roof means you always have to park in the sun ;-(

I put my PV panel at the end of a 25ft wire so I can park the trailer in the shade and put the panel in the sun.

<Chas>

[Shadow Catcher]

Or you use a high voltage panel, Ours gets 34V in shade, it does require an MPPT controller.

[hhs99]

Thanks everyone for the sanity check. Figured it would be a smart idea since its a space that wasn't being used, but now I see otherwise.

[tony.latham]

Thanks everyone for the sanity check. Figured it would be a smart idea since its a space that wasn't being used, but now I see otherwise.

It's not a bad idea (as long as they are on the surface and accessible). I've got a folding sixty-watter inside my tongue box that I can pull out and set in the sun when I'm parked but shade and need more juice. But this spring I added a twenty-watter to the top of my tongue box and now I don't need to be thinking about the battery condition between trips. The trailer lives outdoors so between the 20 watts (or whatever it's putting out for the moment) and the Morningstar SunGuard controller that's in the box, the battery is being maintained.



So I wouldn't trash your idea yet.

Tony

[Esteban]

I'm going to install a Grape Solar 160 watt panel flat on the roof of my teardrop with Instapark Drill-free Solar Panel Mounts. The Instapark mounts will be glued onto the roof. They have a nice looking aerodynamic shape.

Permanently installing a solar panel to an RV using Instapark no-drill mounts and Silkaflex adhesive (correction - not silicon adhesive)


Unboxing Instapark solar panel mounts


A similar way to install a solar panel to the roof of a RV