Lessons Learned Concerning Solar
This past winter I installed 1600W of solar along with 700 AH of Battle Born lithium. Since the install, I have been staying mostly where I could connect to shore power, so I did not get a true test of the solar. The last two weeks we stayed on the North Shore in Minnesota without hookups, which gave me a good picture of how the solar works in less than optimal conditions. By less than optimal, I mean the first week it rained almost every day, with only brief breaks in the clouds, and the second week we were in a heavily shaded site where only the front of the coach got sun, and only for a few hours a day. Here are the lessons I drew from the experience for anyone considering installing solar.
1. If you intend to go where conditions are less than optimal, size your solar system as large as possible. Having more panels allows you to still get a reasonable amount of power on days when conditions are not the best. Even on the cloudy, rainy days I generated enough power that I never needed the generator.
2. Don't have your panels mostly on one end of the coach if possible, because that end may be shaded. I have two series/parallel banks of four panels, with the two banks in parallel. At the second location only the front got sun for a few hours a day. All four of the panels in one bank are on the front, so I got good power from that bank during the hours the front was in the sun. If only the back had been in the sun, I would not have done as well because one panel from that bank is also forward due to what would fit.
3. Consider portable panels as a supplement for times when the coach is shaded. At the second location, I used a 200W portable panel that I had bought before I installed the rooftop panels, and it is probably what kept me from having to use the generator. I am considering purchasing some flexible panels to use as additional supplements.
4. You can never have too many batteries. I originally bought four 100AH batteries, but quickly realized I needed more and added three. I am now trying to figure out whether I can fit and afford three more. Having more battery capacity than you normally need means you have reserve to help you through days when you get little sun.
This all may be obvious to some who already have installed solar, but I hope it may be of use to some who are considering taking the plunge.
Topic: Lessons Learned Concerning Solar