Our Solar System: 300W of solar - Yeti 1500x

[Groverland]

Is there extra maintenance for having the panels mounted on the exterior of your camper? I already have a Biolite 1500 and a couple of their portable 100w panels. I'm thinking of getting a 185w Sol-Go flexible panel for the roof of my camper since the Biolite can take a maximum input of 400w. My thought is that I could leave the 1500 in the back and have it charge while on the road driving with the Sol-Go and use all four when stationary.

I do find that in very dusty areas cleaning my portable panels helps with input charge when they get dirty. Just curious if it's something I would need to do often since it would be permanently outside? Thanks!

 

[DirtTrailsWanted]

Is there extra maintenance for having the panels mounted on the exterior of your camper? I already have a Biolite 1500 and a couple of their portable 100w panels. I'm thinking of getting a 185w Sol-Go flexible panel for the roof of my camper since the Biolite can take a maximum input of 400w. My thought is that I could leave the 1500 in the back and have it charge while on the road driving with the Sol-Go and use all four when stationary.

I do find that in very dusty areas cleaning my portable panels helps with input charge when they get dirty. Just curious if it's something I would need to do often since it would be permanently outside? Thanks!

We do clean them periodically, and it definitely does make a difference with production, I'd say 10-20% depending on how dusty they get. I used to use a rag, and soap and get after it awkwardly while trying to reach it all. Now whenever we are at a gas station with a long windshield cleaner, I just use that, even the short works well. takes 2-3 minutes to clean them really well. I probably clean them once every two months.

 

[Groverland]

We do clean them periodically, and it definitely does make a difference with production, I'd say 10-20% depending on how dusty they get. I used to use a rag, and soap and get after it awkwardly while trying to reach it all. Now whenever we are at a gas station with a long windshield cleaner, I just use that, even the short works well. takes 2-3 minutes to clean them really well. I probably clean them once every two months.

Thanks! One last question on your set-up: I've heard the flexible panels can get HOT if glued down directly to the roof. Is it a good idea to layer some thin corrugated material under the panel to dissipate the heat? Maybe it's not as big a deal as im thinking it is...

 

[DirtTrailsWanted]

Thanks! One last question on your set-up: I've heard the flexible panels can get HOT if glued down directly to the roof. Is it a good idea to layer some thin corrugated material under the panel to dissipate the heat? Maybe it's not as big a deal as im thinking it is...

Definitely true. As they get hot the efficiency of the panels falls off. I'd say our usual production is around 75% of the full production potential. comparing this to our rigid panels on our other truck that get around 80-85% percent it feels pretty good about the drop-off. One of the main reasons we chose flexible over rigid is because of the weight savings, on a pop top setup keeping the weight down on the roof, is kinda important.