lightweight solar panels for caravan

I have a 120W portable system I use for the 4x4 and can use it with van but in an either/or situation. - was looking for a system to mount permanently on van - but not as heavy. thanks

Skull,

I have been pondering fitting these to the roof of my Vista but wonder about the heat, for example my portable panels get quite hot and I would be interested to know if anyone has had issues with the heat soak heating up the van when they are glued directly to the roof?

Cheers
Leigh

Leigh,

I had the same concern and asked the dealer if they lost efficiency. He referred. Me to a page on his website where he gave the results of a test he has conducted. Sorry, I can't remember the figures. There was some loss but it wasn't much. I bought 2 x 135 watt panels at a total weight of about 5 kilos. I live in Adelaide so have had no problems testing them in 45 deg. Having said that, I have no real way of knowing how much drop in performance I am getting. I'd say the advantages of a thin, light, theft proof, neat panel out weighs it.
Skull

Skull,

My concern is heat transfer from the panel into the interior of the van, with the Vista there is only a thin layer of insulation inside the fibre glass roof, my thoughts would be that gluing solar panels to the roof would be the same as painting the roof black, I would expect on a hot day the panels would make the interior of the van much hotter as we don't have air conditioning?

I seem to recall someone on this website posted a thermal picture of the roof inside his van and you could see the heat from the room mounted panels coming through the ceiling of the van.

Leigh

3 grams ??? Hmmm

That is 3kg

I haven;t fitted mine yet, but was advised to put an air gap under them to keep the panels from overheating and to reduce heat transmission through the roof. Apparently they can get to 70-80 degrees.

thanks for this. I did look at their web site and wondered. I gather you've had no probs with them ? How long have you had them?
cheers

We've only had it since mid August. We stuck the solar panel onto the back of our Trayon Camper shower so it's on permanently. It has a non slip finish over it as they use them on yachts. Fits perfectly onto our shower roof which folds down when not in use.

thanks for this. I take it the business name is "Dual Battery Systems". Will look them up