I have often advocated for using Residential Solar panels on your camper instead of the more common brands like Renogy, Grape, NewPowa, etc.
My main reasons are price (Dollars per Watt) and performance (latest technology, more efficient). Additionally, the Residential panels are usually higher Wattage so you need to install fewer panels.
Recently, on another thread someone asked if there were any drawbacks to using Residential Solar panels versus the aforementioned brands. They also asked about weight and installation complexity.
Here is my response to those questions:
The biggest issue with any Solar panel is: Will it fit on my roof?
I recommend that you make a cardboard cut-out the same size as any prospective Solar panel you intend to install and get up on your roof to see how they fit. You can plan your layout and also determine the max number of panels that will fit.
As far as weight goes, all Solar panels are constructed in the same manner, a glass panel surrounded by an aluminum frame, the internal electronics don't weigh very much at all. Consequently, it makes sense to install the most efficient panels you can find.
I would start my search with the 325 Watt Solar panels, panels around that size are very common and usually bargains can be found. Additionally, I would not rule out the possibility of getting a single panel in the 500 Watt range if that would fit your needs better.
One Note: there are used Solar panels starting to show up on the market and you might be able to find some killer deals in the used market, especially if the facility/warehouse is somewhat near your location.
As far as mounting the Solar panels, since the construction of the panels is similar, I presume the mounting choices are similar as well. I used the "Renogy" "Z" brackets (generic version from Amazon) and screwed them directly into the roof. I did however chose to use 3 pairs of "Z" brackets per panel versus only two. This required me to drill an extra mounting hole in the Solar panel itself, trust me, the pucker factor was high during this operation (be sure to use a wood block behind your drill).
As far as fragility goes, all Solar panels are made with Tempered Glass and they all meet an International hail rating (1 inch Hail stone falling at 50 mph). Solar panels are built pretty tough.
Residential Solar panels also have an advantage when it comes to being the most efficient and having the latest technology. For example: many newer panels have been re-designed to minimize the effects of shading by either (electrically) isolating a portion of the panel (usually these panels look like there are two panels inside one physical unit) or by doubling (or tripling) the number of internal connections. When you are looking into the specs of the panels you are considering, this information will become obvious. For example: the panels I chose, perform 11% better in low irradiance conditions than standard Solar panels, an advantage on cloudy days or when parked under a few trees at a campsite.
The best way to compare Solar panels is to look at the Dollars per Watt and at the efficiency rating of the panels themselves.
My main reasons are price (Dollars per Watt) and performance (latest technology, more efficient). Additionally, the Residential panels are usually higher Wattage so you need to install fewer panels.
Recently, on another thread someone asked if there were any drawbacks to using Residential Solar panels versus the aforementioned brands. They also asked about weight and installation complexity.
Here is my response to those questions:
The biggest issue with any Solar panel is: Will it fit on my roof?
I recommend that you make a cardboard cut-out the same size as any prospective Solar panel you intend to install and get up on your roof to see how they fit. You can plan your layout and also determine the max number of panels that will fit.
As far as weight goes, all Solar panels are constructed in the same manner, a glass panel surrounded by an aluminum frame, the internal electronics don't weigh very much at all. Consequently, it makes sense to install the most efficient panels you can find.
I would start my search with the 325 Watt Solar panels, panels around that size are very common and usually bargains can be found. Additionally, I would not rule out the possibility of getting a single panel in the 500 Watt range if that would fit your needs better.
One Note: there are used Solar panels starting to show up on the market and you might be able to find some killer deals in the used market, especially if the facility/warehouse is somewhat near your location.
As far as mounting the Solar panels, since the construction of the panels is similar, I presume the mounting choices are similar as well. I used the "Renogy" "Z" brackets (generic version from Amazon) and screwed them directly into the roof. I did however chose to use 3 pairs of "Z" brackets per panel versus only two. This required me to drill an extra mounting hole in the Solar panel itself, trust me, the pucker factor was high during this operation (be sure to use a wood block behind your drill).
As far as fragility goes, all Solar panels are made with Tempered Glass and they all meet an International hail rating (1 inch Hail stone falling at 50 mph). Solar panels are built pretty tough.
Residential Solar panels also have an advantage when it comes to being the most efficient and having the latest technology. For example: many newer panels have been re-designed to minimize the effects of shading by either (electrically) isolating a portion of the panel (usually these panels look like there are two panels inside one physical unit) or by doubling (or tripling) the number of internal connections. When you are looking into the specs of the panels you are considering, this information will become obvious. For example: the panels I chose, perform 11% better in low irradiance conditions than standard Solar panels, an advantage on cloudy days or when parked under a few trees at a campsite.
The best way to compare Solar panels is to look at the Dollars per Watt and at the efficiency rating of the panels themselves.
