rideglobally
Adventurer
I have a small space on my camper roof. I want to put 800 to 1000 watts panels on the roof. What are the most efficient solar panels on the market?
Looking for the most efficient solar panel
- Thread starter rideglobally
- Start date
llamalander
Well-known member
Small space won't equal 1000 watts. If the weight isn't a big issue, ground/roof mount panels probably produce the most power per square foot. I've had a REC panel on top of my truck for a few years, no issues with all the crap roads I've been on. The frames & glass on these are really robust, I have mine supported by a unistrut rack on four sides, but that may actually be unnecessary.
Their rex-alpha panels can produce up to 470 watts with a (1725x1208mm) 68.5"x 47.5" footprint. 22.6% efficient is about as good as you can get today, but the nominal voltage is around 55v. so you need an MPPT that can bring this down to automotive voltages. The Victron SmartSolar 100/50 MPPT should work for a single panel.
Most residential panels are installed in pairs in series, so often a single or odd number of panels can be bought from installers who get them by the pallet, and often have a leftover (or the mate of a broken/damaged panel). Find out if anyone near you installs high power-density panels and if they have singles for sale--much cheaper by the watt and no shipping costs.
Their rex-alpha panels can produce up to 470 watts with a (1725x1208mm) 68.5"x 47.5" footprint. 22.6% efficient is about as good as you can get today, but the nominal voltage is around 55v. so you need an MPPT that can bring this down to automotive voltages. The Victron SmartSolar 100/50 MPPT should work for a single panel.
Most residential panels are installed in pairs in series, so often a single or odd number of panels can be bought from installers who get them by the pallet, and often have a leftover (or the mate of a broken/damaged panel). Find out if anyone near you installs high power-density panels and if they have singles for sale--much cheaper by the watt and no shipping costs.
Peter_n_Margaret
Adventurer
I have 1160W. 6 @ 160W plus 1 @ 200W. All in parallel.
"Good" panels are about 200W/m2. There are lots who's performance is severely exadurated.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
"Good" panels are about 200W/m2. There are lots who's performance is severely exadurated.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
rideglobally
Adventurer
can please send me a link of these panels. thank you very much. the current set up I am thinking of now can get me to 600 watt which I will post at the end of this thread.
rideglobally
Adventurer
can you pls send me links of these panels
rideglobally
Adventurer
here is as far as I have gotten on my set up.
https://www.renogy.com/rego-3000w-12v-pure-sine-wave-hf-inverter-charger-split-phase-design/ my travel takes me to both 120 and 220volts hopefully this will solve that issue
www.renogy.com
www.renogy.com
Renogy have 200watt flexible for my space that will get me to 600watts.
what do you think of Renogy?
thanks
https://www.renogy.com/rego-3000w-12v-pure-sine-wave-hf-inverter-charger-split-phase-design/ my travel takes me to both 120 and 220volts hopefully this will solve that issue
Rover 60 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller
The Renogy 60A Wanderer MPPT Fee Controller is built with protection against reverse polarity, short-circuiting, getting too hot.
www.renogy.com
12V 300Ah Core Series Deep Cycle Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery w/Self-Heating
With the industry's highest 200W heating elements, this 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 Battery can heat up 2X faster than other heated batteries on the market.
www.renogy.com
what do you think of Renogy?
thanks
Peter_n_Margaret
Adventurer
Peter_n_Margaret
Adventurer
I am currently building another expedition vehicle. It will be mostly electric accessories and appliances (no gas).
It will have 2.1kW of solar which will feed via 5 separate controllers to provide redundancy and better partial shade protection.
Multiple smaller MPPT controllers are typically similar cost to the same capacity using a larger controller.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
It will have 2.1kW of solar which will feed via 5 separate controllers to provide redundancy and better partial shade protection.
Multiple smaller MPPT controllers are typically similar cost to the same capacity using a larger controller.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
plh
Explorer
here is as far as I have gotten on my set up.
https://www.renogy.com/rego-3000w-12v-pure-sine-wave-hf-inverter-charger-split-phase-design/ my travel takes me to both 120 and 220volts hopefully this will solve that issue
Rover 60 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller
The Renogy 60A Wanderer MPPT Fee Controller is built with protection against reverse polarity, short-circuiting, getting too hot.Renogy have 200watt flexible for my space that will get me to 600watts.12V 300Ah Core Series Deep Cycle Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery w/Self-Heating
With the industry's highest 200W heating elements, this 12V 300Ah LiFePO4 Battery can heat up 2X faster than other heated batteries on the market.
what do you think of Renogy?
thanks
Generally flexible solar panels are not as efficient as a rigid panel.
llamalander
Well-known member
226 w/m, made by REC in Singapore, commonly cited as being one of the most durable panel-makers around.
The Complete Review Of Rec Solar Panels For 2024
REC is a top-tier solar panel manufacturer that pioneered half-cut cell technology, which increases the energy output and efficiency of their solar panels.
www.solarreviews.com
No affiliation, but I have one that has put up with my abuse, so it comes with my reccomendation.
rideglobally
Adventurer
thank you
226 w/m, made by REC in Singapore, commonly cited as being one of the most durable panel-makers around.
The Complete Review Of Rec Solar Panels For 2024
REC is a top-tier solar panel manufacturer that pioneered half-cut cell technology, which increases the energy output and efficiency of their solar panels.
No affiliation, but I have one that has put up with my abuse, so it comes with my reccomendation.
broncobowsher
Adventurer
Not as durable either. My 12 year old 70W panel makes about as much power as my 2-year old 400W flexible panels. I did the flex panels for low profile. Mounted with aluminum sheets on the roof and I could just squeak into the garage. Couldn't do that with full size panels. By squeak in, I had to watch the fuel level and add weight if it wasn't a full tank.
Panels are rated at 1,000 w/m2 sun load. What is on the market these days is in the 22%, maybe 22.8% efficient. Anything advertised more than that is very exotic, or more than likely a flat out lie. And that output is based on getting good sun. Clean panel, aimed at the sun, in the summer, power point tracking. This time of year, most of the Northern hemisphere, lucky to get 50% of rated power aimed at mid day sun.
Peter_n_Margaret
Adventurer
I am using mostly 430W lightweight Sunman panels in our new build. Each with its own Victron controller.
Mounting method is critical.
www.solar4rvs.com.au
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
Mounting method is critical.
Sunman eArc 430W Semi-Flexible Lightweight Solar Panel SMF430-12X12UW
Discover Sunman's eArc 430W Solar Panels - lightweight, durable, and backed by the Australian Government's Clean Energy Finance Corporation. Proven under Australian conditions and suitable for a range of applications. Invest in a greener future.
www.solar4rvs.com.au
Peter
OKA196 motorhome
I have another point of view from a different angle! You have a small space on the roof, which means you have not a lot of space for an optimum solar gain or wattage. Additionally, you have to mount them laying flat, which also prevents the optimum solar power gain based on the # of sun hours and seasonal angle of the sun. Most of us park our trailers under a tree so that the trailer stays cool during the summer.
So, with all that said, are you absolutely sure you can't go with a ground based solution that may provide the highest bang for the buck? Meaning, you can angle the panels throughout the day for max watts/hour. This takes into account seasonal sun location, and you can park under a tree for shade while the solar panel(s) are far away getting full sun.
Again, just another point of view.