1000 Watts of Solar on a Short Van?

[Boxster1971]

This photo is not a short Sprinter, but an older T1N Airstream Interstate that has a set of roof bars that allow installing solar panels above roof A/C unit. Gives an idea of other possibilities.

Thanks to InterBlog for posting photo on the AirForum. This is similar to solar on IB's Interstate.



- - Mike
2012 Sprinter 3500 Extended converted B-Van by Airstream

[Davydd]

This may be the ultimate on a Class B. Advanced RV's Solar Womp, just recently sold for $200,000 by the original owner. It has 1,250 watts of solar on an extended body Sprinter. It seems maxed out.

[Boxster1971]

These are the solar panels I'd like to use on my next van.

https://youtu.be/S7_S1zSlEeQ

[GeorgeRa]

I used 100W back contact panels currently sold by AM solar. They are very efficient in low light conditions. I believe that lack of surface traces allows them to use AR for improve efficiency. Another distributor or manufacturer form China. https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/Solar...6159f0e40764ae

[Phoebe3]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

These are the solar panels I'd like to use on my next van.

https://youtu.be/S7_S1zSlEeQ

Are you kidding? I want my whole frigging VAN made out of those!

Our Mazda got caught in a hailstorm in CO last summer. We took it to get the dents removed and asked for an estimate. The shop started counting dents. He stopped estimating the cost to repair when he passed $7K.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Phoebe3

Are you kidding? I want my whole frigging VAN made out of those!



Our Mazda got caught in a hailstorm in CO last summer. We took it to get the dents removed and asked for an estimate. The shop started counting dents. He stopped estimating the cost to repair when he passed $7K.

YES - amazing panels. SolarWorld makes the best solar panels available in USA. Best warranty, best efficiency and made in USA. They are just a bit smaller than competing panels from LG and Panasonic. Not cheap and apparently only available from solar installers.

[Winston]

Here's our 810 watt ProMaster 159"WB entry:

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Winston

Here's our 810 watt ProMaster 159"WB entry:

Nice! Now you're talking about some serious solar. What brand are those 270 watt panels?

[cruising7388]

Originally Posted by Phoebe3

Are you kidding? I want my whole frigging VAN made out of those!

Our Mazda got caught in a hailstorm in CO last summer. We took it to get the dents removed and asked for an estimate. The shop started counting dents. He stopped estimating the cost to repair when he passed $7K.

Is hailstone damage a covered peril in an auto comprehensive policy?

[Winston]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

What brand are those 270 watt panels?

Kyocera.

Apparently there's a minimum verbosity requirement on this site so this sentence is added to meet that requirement!

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Winston

Kyocera.



Apparently there's a minimum verbosity requirement on this site so this sentence is added to meet that requirement!

Thanks - I see what you mean. I couldn't just say thanks. Posts have to be at least 10 characters. [emoji1]

[Phoebe3]

Originally Posted by cruising7388

Is hailstone damage a covered peril in an auto comprehensive policy?

Yes, but over a certain amount they total the car - since we couldn't replace it for the amount we would get, we elected to take a lesser cash settlement from the insurance company. Really, the dents don't hurt anything and by the time we're ready to sell the car in a few years, those dents won't matter.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Phoebe3

Are you kidding? I want my whole frigging VAN made out of those!
....

Only if you can verify that there's no polycarbonate in their construction. I took a quick look at the website and the manufacturer is referring to a building standard that is described by the phrase "thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass". But I didn't dig deeply enough to know whether that's ALL that is in those things. Polycarbonate is tougher than hell, and it is what came to mind upon seeing that short video. But it is a material that clouds and yellows with age. I can't think of anything that could be worse for solar panels.

[GeorgeRa]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

Only if you can verify that there's no polycarbonate in their construction. I took a quick look at the website and the manufacturer is referring to a building standard that is described by the phrase "thermally toughened soda lime silicate safety glass". But I didn't dig deeply enough to know whether that's ALL that is in those things. Polycarbonate is tougher than hell, and it is what came to mind upon seeing that short video. But it is a material that clouds and yellows with age. I can't think of anything that could be worse for solar panels.

As far as I know all photovoltaic rigid panels use tempered glass with AR coating. Most likely it takes more kinetic energy / impact area to crack the glass versus dent the sheet metal.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by GeorgeRa

Most likely it takes more kinetic energy / impact area to crack the glass versus dent the sheet metal.

I can attest to this based on personal experience with a severe hail storm. Panel made it through just fine. Roof, not so much.