Solar panel fitting

[BOWHOUSE52]

Hi funsters
Going to fit new solar panel, what is the general conceners about fitting the solar panel at an angle ie front of panel fixed to the roof facing the front of motorhome and the rear of the panel 6 to 8in higher at the back The idea been to catch more sun rays instead of been fitted flat that's providing the van is facing the right way

 

[pappajohn]

For the number of times you will be facing the sun, and the time its takes for the sun to move past the sweetspot its not worth the extra bracketry.
It will also present more wind resistance when driving.

 

[Campervan_man]

Just buy a bigger panel to compensate for not angling ?
eg, a 120W instead of a 100W etc

 

[Richard n Ann]

I put hinges on one side of ours but don't need to lift it now as we don't take the compressor fridge. It does put the output up a lot when the sun is lower.

 

[Off da Grid]

Don’t bother keep it flat.
it’s only really useful to angle the panel in the winter then it needs to be at around 45° or as close to the equivalent angle of your latitude.
From April to September there’s usually enough sun for our panel to charge the batteries by lunch time or even 10am in the middle of summer when left flat.
Take a look at an iPhone app called Simply Solar it will give you the direction and angle of the panel for your location.
My 255w panel has gate hinges on the long side for tilting.

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[BOWHOUSE52]

Yes I have thought also about wind resistance and possible wind pulling at the brackets I have also thought about Machzonnemans idea of a larger solar panel I am also thinking of taking the Aircon off the van which will give me more room to put a 300watt panel on the roof

 

[tonka]

Waste of time really. The angle wont to great enough to make that much of a difference, plus how can you guarantee you will always be facing the right way each time and as the sun moves you will never be in the "sweet spot".

Just go with the biggest panel(s) you can fit and leave it at that, it's what most people do and it seems to work for us

 

[Lenny HB]

Not worth the effort, 6 to 8" tilt will have hardly any effect & it will make parking a right PIA, and to be efficient you will need to move the van to face the sun every couple of hours, so no going out for the day.

 

[The Old Man]

Increase in wind noise?

 

[BOWHOUSE52]

That it Funsters remove Aircon and fit 300watt+ solar flat on roof thank for all your great comments Talk again no dought

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