Rising roof campervans (1 Viewer)

[oldun]

I have seen solar panels fitted to the raising (sloping) roof of campervans but it seems to my inexperienced eye that with this type of roof it will be difficult to get the solar panel anywhere near looking at the sun.

Has anyone any experience with solar panels on a rising roof campervans?

 

[gozomike]

Hi

I have seen one fitted on a raising roof but as you say getting it into a position facing the sun could be a problem and to get the ideal position you would need to keep moving the van.

I use a folding 40 watt panel from allsolar which works well and is easy to fit and position. In the tests I have done with it I get 2.5 amps in ideal conditions ie in the clear and facing the sun. It is very critical to being in the clear, even holding a finger in front of the panel drops the output considerably as does changing the angle to the sun.

The obvious problem can be security. I do lock it to the van and use it mainly at shows and rallys where people are usually about. I only use it on Aires in France when I am in the van.

Mike

 

[oldun]

That's the dilemma

Fixed = good security, bad positioning, works all the time there is sufficient light and no storage space needed.

Moveable = very poor security, better positioning (but time consuming!), works only when you have it setup outside and needs space for storage.

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[Geo]

If you are prepared to work out the optimum parking spot on arrival so the he panels faces the suns rise and setting arc, I dont think your at much more of a disadvantage than a panel on a flat roof

 

[Snowbird]

I fitted a 75 watt solar panel to the roof of my VW T4 poptop that I used for fishing trips lasting between 3 and 4 months above the Arctic Circle. I never had hookups and always parked with the rear of the van facing south. By doing this the solar panel worked better than 2 pannels fitted flat.