Portable solar panels

[headlight]

A question to those using portable panels, what yield do you get compared to roof mounted panels of the same wattage, particularly in early/late season when the sun is lower.

 

[Jabstatt]

I'm just about to buy one. I already have 460W plus 100W all on the roof. I expect a better percentage yield from the portable panel because it will face the sun, probably set at 45 degrees to the horizontal so the sun will be close to 90 degrees to it, optimum angle!

Im thinking of one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VTOMAN-Efficiency-Waterproof-Adjustable-Kickstands/dp/B0CBV5S2GJ/?tag=mhf04-21

Slightly under a pound a watt which seems about the going rate.
Or you could use flexible panels as in the classifieds.

Tony

 

[landranger]

I have a portable 200w folding type panel which I tend to deploy on an as needed type basis. Its output is greater than the roof mounted version. I can't recall by how much. Early/late in the year I'd expect an even greater variation between the two units, but, one does spend time "chasing" the sun.

 

[Carpmart]

A thread regarding comparable yield from two months back…

Folding Solar Panels - Good yield considering time of year!

Just a shout out to angled and directionable solar panels at this time of year; I’m genuinely impressed with the yield! We are at our winter stop over site (3 months) in SE Spain but the days are short, the sun is low, there is often a haze or partial cloud, so it’s the worst time of year for...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[daveclare]

Our 200w portable fold out. Performs better, as expected. Because it can be angled towards the low sun. Unlike fixed roof panels.

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[headlight]

I'm thinking of a flexible panel mounted on a piece of twin walled polycarbonate, to make it more rigid to fix/angle but still lighter than a suitcase style.

 

[jumar]

From sunrise to midday in the winter 30% better.
From 3pm until sunset 30% better.

200w 4 section folding by Allpowers..

One of my roof panels tilts...if the van is correctly positioned it compares with the folder.

Other advantage of folding panels is the van can be shaded and the panel not...very useful in the Spanish summer..

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

We have a 190watt 8portable fold up and have it on the awning rail with kador strips.

It has hinged supports at the back that allow it to be tilted up at a variety of angles. As said it puts in more power than the roof panels. But being on the awning it is only really useful facing the right way but it's easy .more thief proof and saves all that faffing around moving it around to face the sun.

 

[Neilfg]

We now have a portable folding panel 190w, only used briefly to check it works. 270w on the roof, each has its own Victron solar unit. The portable panel managed to generate more than the roof ones.

Only worth putting if stopped for a few days but quite impressed, enough so to keep them in the van for the moment at least