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Old 05-19-2015, 07:03 AM   #1
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Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

Lots of posts lately on installing solar panels. I am guessing that most of these are going to be used in the sunny south west. I am wondering if many SMB owners in the woody/shady N.E. have installed solar panels and are they cost effective in that environment? If I switched over from an ice chest to a electric refrig I think I would need solar for recharging house batteries when not running the alternator for several days BUT we camp mostly in shady spots. Any N.E. solar panel users out there????


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Old 05-19-2015, 08:24 AM   #2
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Re: Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

Well, not Northeast but Southeast and my panels catch a lot of power on pretty cloudy days. As for shade, I always look for it but can't answer that definitively just yet. I always camp in shady, wooded spots but don't have a handle just yet on how that will impact my solar charging. I would still choose a shady, wooded spot over a clear spot just to get sun though.
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Old 05-19-2015, 01:44 PM   #3
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Re: Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

On overcast days I usually grab at least 4 amps with my 2 135w panels and sometimes up to 7A. Shade seems to drop more than overcast but like cloud cover it depends on how heavy the cover is. That's were a portable setup helps but you still need to be fairly close to some sun. It was raining on me Saturday and I was grabbing about 5 amps parked in an open area. I do park in shade as much as I can but because the sun is moving I usually grab enough sun to recharge by 11AM. It's not like I'm completely covered all the time. YMMV
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Old 05-19-2015, 06:36 PM   #4
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Re: Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

My experience is that the shade just delays when the batteries get charged. In full sun my two 135w panels have the battery topped off between 8:00 or 9:00am. On cloudy days it may take a couple more hours. Full shade, ie. no sun at all, they will not top off the battery but will do some charging.
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Old 05-20-2015, 08:36 PM   #5
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Re: Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

You can always use a standalone solar panel on a long cord so you can move the panel into the sun while you enjoy the cool shade!

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Old 05-20-2015, 09:42 PM   #6
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Re: Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

Just a thought...

Assuming you were going to take the solar plunge either way, you could always buy a setup, mount the controller in the van, and run the wires to the battery bank. That part probably wouldn't change whether the panels ended up mounted on the roof or used in a portable configuration. Then, test the panels near the van in the shade and also away from the van in more sun.

Judging by the charging rates, you could determine if you wanted to keep it as a portable setup or go ahead and mount them on the roof.

Like I said, just a thought...
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Old 05-21-2015, 09:01 AM   #7
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Re: Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
On overcast days I usually grab at least 4 amps with my 2 135w panels and sometimes up to 7A. Shade seems to drop more than overcast but like cloud cover it depends on how heavy the cover is. That's were a portable setup helps but you still need to be fairly close to some sun. It was raining on me Saturday and I was grabbing about 5 amps parked in an open area. I do park in shade as much as I can but because the sun is moving I usually grab enough sun to recharge by 11AM. It's not like I'm completely covered all the time. YMMV
More or less my experience.. I usually get enough sun peeking through the trees over the course of the day to get charged..
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Old 05-22-2015, 06:56 AM   #8
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Re: Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

Len,
Living in the PNW, I face similar circumstances. The last three days I went unplugged to get you some data. Our weather has been on and off the last couple of days , mostly cloudy with sun breaks, occasional rain. I did drive to and from work on two of the days, the last it was parked in the drive way. At worked I parked in between a couple of trees that would cause some partial shade during the day, the last day, it gets good morning sun, but it was pretty overcast during that time. I had the usual refrigerator load, and a additional constant load so I could try and maximize the output of the controller. In one of those days I still spent some decent amount of time in float, but at the end of day when checked I was not at 100% SOC on any of the days. I expect the first day was more limited amount of charge needed, than actual conditions.

Day 1 22.5 amp hours
Day 2 33.3 amp hours
Day 3 28.3 amp hours

This is with one kyocera 140 watt panel and a Morningstar tristar mppt controller.

Hope this helps.

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Old 05-22-2015, 08:53 AM   #9
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Re: Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

thanks Greg, that does help.

Appears to me that under the conditions you describe that I would get 40-50% of my refrig daily needs from a 140 watt panel w that level of shade. Would also have to think about an additional 27lbs on my manual top.
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Old 05-22-2015, 11:56 PM   #10
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Re: Are solar panels in the N.E. worth it???

Quote:
Originally Posted by LenS
Would also have to think about an additional 27lbs on my manual top.
Check out gcvt's install on the Renogy flexible panel. For just a little extra money, that looks to be a great way to save weight on your top.
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