Are solar panels worth it for the UK?

[alittlerock]

Hi, if you were living full time in th eUK in a MH and had solar panels, would you really see that much of a benefit?
I thought they only really soak up energy and convert charge in the sun. so during cloudy and wet days, will they get zero charge?
Do they behave well in lower tems too or can maybe the absorbing panel bit crack or something?

Thx gang

 

[monzer]

Absolutely worth it. I want another one.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Well worth it, ours produces 2 amps with a white cloudy sky and it's only a 150w panel

 

[BwB]

Yes, they work fine in the UK and still work in the winter. Get as many as you can afford and can fit on your van. Job done.

 

[funflair]

Yes and always work better with MPPT controller.

Martin

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[tonka]

After fitting a second battery, solar has to be the next best thing and as much as you can fit if full-time. They need daylight not full sunshine but obviously the clearer the better.
It's not 100% in winter but every little helps.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Yes, they work fine in the UK and still work in the winter. Get as many as you can afford and can fit on your van. Job done.

But watch your roof and payload. Big or lots of panels add lots of weight.

 

[cmcardle75]

For full time, i.e. winter usage, get multiple panels with bypass diodes and wire in series. They may have worse performance than parallel when partially shaded, but massively better low light performance (and can use thinner cables). This is because the produced voltage is far more likely to exceed the battery voltage and, thus, can work in much lower light. i.e. with 3 panels in series, the nominal voltage will be around 63V, so can do at least a small amount of charging even if each individual panel is only producing 5V. However, wired in parallel, each panel needs to produce 14V (66% of its full voltage) to do any charging at all.

 

[cmcardle75]

For full time, i.e. winter usage, get multiple panels with bypass diodes and wire in series. They may have worse performance than parallel when partially shaded, but massively better low light performance (and can use thinner cables). This is because the produced voltage is far more likely to exceed the battery voltage and, thus, can work in much lower light. i.e. with 3 panels in series, the nominal voltage will be around 63V, so can do at least a small amount of charging even if each individual panel is only producing 5V. However, wired in parallel, each panel needs to produce 14V (66% of its full voltage) to do any charging at all.

I forgot to mention, you must use MPPT to do this. Using a PWM controller on series panels will be so far off the maximum power point, it will hurt.

 

[Minxy]

Most definitely worth it ... along with a good battery bank too.

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[Ivory55]

Go on , someone say generator. Even if it’s just for the hell of it. Haha

 

[Off da Grid]

Definitely worth it the more the better plus mppt controller.
I can now tilt mine in 3 orientations which you’ll need to do to get the best from solar in the winter.
given the right conditions a cold solar panel at the right angle could produce more power than in the summer, heat is the enemy of solar panels

 

[alittlerock]

WOW!
As usual I am blown away by the helpfulness and info I get on here!!!!
I googled mppt and found this too
its a google cache of a page but has some good info and lists some brands.
This is more of a note when I acually buy,,,

cache:Vv76LIa2rkQJ:[URL]https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/best-solar-charge-controllers/ - Google Search

[/URL]

 

[Ridgeway]

They keep your roof amazingly clean

 

[Richard n Ann]

WOW!
As usual I am blown away by the helpfulness and info I get on here!!!!
I googled mppt and found this too
its a google cache of a page but has some good info and lists some brands.
This is more of a note when I acually buy,,,

cache:Vv76LIa2rkQJ:[URL]https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/best-solar-charge-controllers/ - Google Search

[/URL]

Some solar controllers are for houses and have screens on them. Motorhome ones don't have integrated screens because they are installed out of sight. Good motorhome controllers maintain the starter battery too.
Ours gives 1 amp to the starter battery which means we can use the van radio without flattening the battery. Look up the Votronic Duo range of controllers

This is ours...

VOTRONIC - MPP 250 Duo Dig.

Innovative Elektronik für den mobilen Einsatz

www.votronic.de

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[bobandjanie]

We stumbled upon a new factory while touring Ireland, up until this moment I always thought it was a joke when people were saying they have designed a new solar panel that works at night. Bob

 

[Raul]

But watch your roof and payload. Big or lots of panels add lots of weight.

A big 1,65x1m 60 cell panel and anything up to 360-370w its only 17-18kg. Add lithium and your energy is lighter than the food and drink you carry. Bier and wine weighs more If in glass bottles.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I have a very basic 120w & pwn controller supplied by the dealer on my PVC feeding 2x leisure & 1x vehicle batteries...
I've found that anything taken out during the night, has been replenished by the time I get up in the morning.
It obviously depends on your 12v demand but sometimes it's easy to over specify.
Only UK touring.

 

[Langtoftlad]

We stumbled upon a new factory while touring Ireland, up until this moment I always thought it was a joke when people were saying they have designed a new solar panel that works at night. Bob View attachment 424350

I get a charge at night - when parked under a street lamp .

 

[Ivory55]

I have a very basic 120w & pwn controller supplied by the dealer on my PVC feeding 2x leisure & 1x vehicle batteries...
I've found that anything taken out during the night, has been replenished by the time I get up in the morning.
It obviously depends on your 12v demand but sometimes it's easy to over specify.

Or what time you get up in the morning, haha

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[Langtoftlad]

Or what time you get up in the morning, haha

I'm not an early riser .

 

[EuroTrotters]

A big 1,65x1m 60 cell panel and anything up to 360-370w its only 17-18kg. Add lithium and your energy is lighter than the food and drink you carry. Bier and wine weighs more If in glass bottles.

Yes, but some people have very limited payload. Especially roof load. If they have already got A/C, Sat Dishes etc. Then start adding several panels, it all adds up.

 

[Northernraider]

Definitely worth it .....
Not a blue sky day here today its bright but still cloudy and overcast
This is 220watt of solar through a votronic mppt .

In bright sunshine its about 9-10a

 

[alittlerock]

Definitely worth it .....
Not a blue sky day here today its bright but still cloudy and overcast
This is 220watt of solar through a votronic mppt .
View attachment 424383
In bright sunshine its about 9-10a

Is that a good amount you're getting? Sorry for muppet question, I'm clueless.
Appreciate your post.

 

[Northernraider]

Is that a good amount you're getting? Sorry for muppet question, I'm clueless.
Appreciate your post.

It is for not being sunny

But today in sunshine im getting 9.5

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[alittlerock]

It is for not being sunny

But today in sunshine im getting 9.5

That sounds terrific!
Do you have many things using the electric?
Sorry for noob questions .

 

[Tombola]

Its a balance as o what you can draw vs what you can store.
Get some decent batteries, and a good mppt and even 1 solar 150 w can help you out. Id suggest more if spending lots of time in your MH in the UK but yes, defo worth it, esp if you go for lithiums and keep them a while, the pay back is far less than lead acid.

 

[Northernraider]

That sounds terrific!
Do you have many things using the electric?
Sorry for noob questions .

At the minute mostly lights and tv , chargers etc about 6 hours a night of lights and tv

 

[Bessy765]

No wishing to be a kill joy,, please remember when adding panels, be careful of the lift effect when driving, the more panels the more lift effect, installing a wind deflector at the front will help. I have on more than one occasion had a customer turned up with a missing panel and no idea where they lost it.

 

[dunnah01]

I'm not 100% sold on solar in the UK where you'll probably end up on EHU at a formal site rather than wild-camping. Solar is pretty much essential if touring Europe and staying in aires or stellplatz etc.. where EHU often isn't available.