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Topic: Smart Solar Panel - things to consider?

YoungTito

08/4/2018 at 7:08pm
Location: None Entered
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Hi, I am a young enthusiast of camping and caravanning (used to do it with my parents) and I am currently studying Electrical Engineering, developing a sun-tracking solar system for this sort of environment. I'd love to hear your opinion about that and also have created a short survey (6 a,b,c questions) asking about a few details. Hope you can help! Thanks! :)
https://goo. gl/forms/vakQUz3k5Y9UnFly2

navver

08/4/2018 at 7:51pm
Location: West country
Outfit: Mondeo

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Solar panels are normally fitted flat on the roof of caravans. It may not be very efficient but it is very convenient in use.

Adding solar tracking will increase the efficiency but will also increase the cost and complexity.

The extra cost may not be a worthwhile investment. Simply increasing the size will achieve the same.

They will have to be lowered to flat for towing and some folks might forget.

In Summer, the sun is high so the inefficiency of a flat panel will be much less so than later in the year.

Folks only need to get sufficient energy from their panels to recharge their batteries. Once they are charged any extra power generated will not be used especially if they are out at the beach all day etc.

We don't do it for commercial solar farms but simply angle them towards the sun.

There is some benefit in fitting panels facing East and West as it generates more when all the South facing panels are not working at their best. Big problem with commercial solar is getting power when it is needed rather than when they are all out at work all day.

Peridot

08/4/2018 at 11:24pm
Location: South Wales
Outfit: Mazda Bongo & Cabanon Pacific

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Something in the forum software breaks the link. Need to delete the space after the stop in 'goo. gl'

I'm not sure what the cost per day question was aiming at. For campers it's all about the initial investment needed in a system that will meet their power needs, whatever combination of battery, solar, generator technology that might involve.

I'd agree with navver that the size, weight, cost, and complexity issues with a tracking system are almost certainly going to outweigh the option of just buying a larger fixed panel.

Post last edited on 08/04/2018 23:31:52

Hacksaw Bob

09/4/2018 at 12:58am
Location: West Midlands
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Link

Paul_B

09/4/2018 at 5:02pm
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Car & Caravan

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Solar trackers are old technology, replaced by MPPT controllers.

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