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Do you have solar panels on your van roof?

5K views 17 replies 15 participants last post by  MikeSainz 
#1 ·
If yes, how often do you find yourself parked / camped in the shade and therefore not getting enough sun to charge properly?

I'm trying to decide between mounting my panel(s) on the roof, or sticking with a portable briefcase version so that I can move it to where the sun is when camping (if necessary).

I'd prefer mounting so that I don't have to store it / carry it...but I've been warned about the above...so I'd love ya'll's input on this. :)
 
#3 · (Edited)
A factor will be the color of your van. A darker color van you may want to have parked in the shade to prevent heat accumulation in hotter climates. This will be counter to getting sun to roof mounted panels. On the flip-side, rack mounted panels provide shade to the roof.

Oxford White vans and a few of the lighter colors will be less affected by this, but it will play into the decision of where to park.

Answering with that in mind, my van is Oxford White and I will choose parking spots that provide the best light for the roof-mounted panels.

Other factors to consider include:
  • Choosing a panel designed to perform in partial shade. (some older panels could be damaged over time when used in partial shade)
  • Wiring multiple panels in series (within the controller's input voltage limit) in order to deliver a higher voltage when in a shaded condition.
  • Whether the van's parking spot at home is in the sun or shaded. If shaded, shore power may be needed to keep the batteries topped up when idle.

Portable charging wasn't all that attractive to me because of the storage and setup aspects. YMMV
 
#6 ·
having roof and portable panels can work good - if U can afford them -

being able to park van in shade can be More important then gathering power -
Depends on U R situation - Location - weather- color of van etc -

I have both type panels -
flexible panels can be stored under bed mattress pretty easy -
super light weight 4 pounds each -
the price of Sunpower flex panels is pretty reasonable now -


I have some Flex panels and changed the output cables to 12 gauge extension type cord with 3 prong connector -

then extension cord can be used to run Shore power OR power from portable panel -
easy to run cord out to 50 ft away -
 
#7 ·
I just have a single 300 watt panel on the roof. With my electrical usage and climate that normally keeps up with my electrical requirements even in overcast conditions. I did once get down to 83% SOC after three days in the shade. If necessary I could move into the sun or idle the engine to charge the house battery using power from the vehicle powered inverter.
 
#8 ·
I have 3 100 watt mono panels mounted on the roof, in the roof rack structure and wouldn’t change it.

We park in shade regularly and live in Canada so the sun’n angle in the winter limits our solar charge, yet I have never had an issue with the charge.

A 3-4 days of pouring rain last spring we were running low but weren’t having a great time. A couple of hours of driving and the battery was charged up fully again from the alternator.

The only other thing to keep in mind is that to run roof top AND a portable panel, you will either have to switch the feed into the MPPT charge controller (and likely match or program it for the panels) or have two charge controllers.

Given the added cost of a second charge controller, the added cost and space need for a second portable panel and how happy we are as is, we decided not to consider the portable setup anymore.

Hope this helps.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
#9 ·
I'm in the PNW, so shade is a fact of life.

My answer was to get a fairly large amount of solar (560W) on the roof.
4 panels wired in parallel, so if one is in shade, it doesn't bog down the other panels.

In moderate shade, or open view of overcast sky, I can just about keep up with my electrics. The biggest drain is the compressor fridge.
 
#13 ·
I would suggest a modest roof mounted array with a portable or flexible panel you can setup and move around to point at the sun. You could hang a flexible panel on the side of the van with some magnets. Moving it to the side that is getting the most sun. Below is a link to some of the solar arrays we designed for the Transit vans. Files are in pdf format.

http://diyvan.com/transit_solar_layouts.html

All the best,
Hein
DIYvan
541 490 5098
 
#14 · (Edited)
@Hein ,

Any issue with two 180W Grape panels and a rear vent? For high roof, extended long wheel base...

-Barry


I would suggest a modest roof mounted array with a portable or flexible panel you can setup and move around to point at the sun. You could hang a flexible panel on the side of the van with some magnets. Moving it to the side that is getting the most sun. Below is a link to some of the solar arrays we designed for the Transit vans. Files are in pdf format.

http://diyvan.com/transit_solar_layouts.html

All the best,
Hein
DIYvan
541 490 5098
 
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#15 ·
We are taking the "travel with it and see what works for us" approach.

We are using a portable/folding 120W mono-crystalline panel from Continuous Resources. Coupled with our 100AH Lion Energy battery, we are doing fine so far. Our approach and goal in van lifestyle is minimalist.

Still just starting out, next we will get something to charge our house battery when the engine is running.

Hope this helps.
 
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#17 ·
Here is an unfortunate additional benefit of installing solar panels on a Transit. My van was parked under a tree when a large branch fell on it. At best, a dent would have occurred. At worst, the very thin sheet metal roof could have been punctured. A lot of work might have been required removing the interior ceiling to repair the damage.

The solar panel took the hit, resulting in a crater through to the back of the panel. One cell was destroyed and the tempered glass cracked into many pieces. Sadly, the panel is a total loss as the tempered glass, solar cells, and backing material are all laminated together like a piece of plywood. There is no good way to repair this type of damage.

Considering how much damage could have occurred to the Transit, I got out cheap only needing to replace a $160 solar panel.
 

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#18 ·
Not on the van - on my trailer

I have a van and RV and both get very very hot when not parked in shade. So I put my panels on the trailer I pull with both. Many times I can park in shade for the van/RV and sun for the trailer. The panels are facing straight up and being able to point the panels directly at the sun with a tilting stand would greatly improve output.
 
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