solar panels

I am putting solar panels on the roof of caravan and haven't considered the optimum gap between roof and panels for cooling etc. any suggestions please.
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Reply By: brownie - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 22:44

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 22:44
Have you considered the Unisolar stick-on panels ?
I have one on my van , it needs no gap at all.
Puts out about 6A

Brownie
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Follow Up By: swampey - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:05

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:05
i already have panels but thanks for the suggestion brownie
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ (wa) has - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:13

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:13
I understand about 4.2 Amps in the highest available from of any Unisolar panel.
What model number is it ?

Mainey . . .
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Follow Up By: brownie - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:51

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:51
its a plv 68w
68w divided by 12v equals 5.66A
OR about 6 !

brownie
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ (wa) has - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:57

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:57
PLV 68

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Maximum Power: 68 Watt
Voltage at Pmax: 16.5 Volt
Current at Pmax: 4.1 Amp

Mainey . . .
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Follow Up By: brownie - Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 00:06

Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 00:06
Good O
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Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 06:46

Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 06:46
But you WILL get 5.5 amps with a MPPT regulator :-)

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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 at 09:32

Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 at 09:32
"its a plv 68w
68w divided by 12v equals 5.66A
OR about 6 ! "

- no, that's not the way solar panel specifications work.

Solar Panels are constant-current, not constant-power devices.

The wattage is measured at the highest possible power - which is when it's putting out about 18 volts - so it'll be 4 amps.

Not much use when charging batteries at 14 volts - unless you're using a very expensive MPPT regulator.
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Reply By: Angler - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 22:47

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 22:47
30 to 50 mm is accepted gap.
AnswerID: 346665

Follow Up By: swampey - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:03

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:03
thanks angler,i didnt think it would be to high with wind resistance .
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Reply By: SPRINT-GTO - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:20

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:20
Have you considered hinging one end of each panel in order to clean underneath and also to maximise panels use???
Prior to installing panels have you considered painting van roof with a heat reflective paint such as Solacool??
Goodluck.
AnswerID: 346675

Follow Up By: SPRINT-GTO - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:25

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:25
Sorry heat reflective paint is SOLACOAT not Solacool.
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Follow Up By: swampey - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:34

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:34
no i havn't. i am going to put it all in a frame with panels able to slide off from one side. after i unbolt it to clean them. as far as painting no.
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Reply By: a convict - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:36

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:36
RE: "...also to maximise panels use??? "

Good point!

An angled panel can increase 'output' by up to 30% compared to laying 'flat'.

It's about the cheapest bang for the buck u can get.
AnswerID: 346676

Follow Up By: swampey - Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:45

Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 at 23:45
Yes i had thought about that.I have a pop top and will probably drop one end to get an angle of sorts.Dont know if it will help but will give it a go.
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Reply By: Crackles - Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 09:20

Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 09:20
Along with the panel being removeable as has already been suggested it pays to have a 10 metre lead & an adjustable stand so you can set the panel/s up on the correct angle or away from the van as more often than not you will want to park it in the shade. The old mans van has an alloy frame riveted to the roof, the panel simply drops in & is locked with a security window bolt. It has about a 1cm gap.
Cheers Craig.............
AnswerID: 346703

Follow Up By: swampey - Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 19:53

Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 19:53
Thanks Craig,i already have two panels on a bookcase set up on patrol, i am hoping to also switch these over to van if not needed via a plug of sorts to add to the other panels when back at camp.
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Reply By: Member Boroma 604 - Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 11:52

Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 11:52
Gooday,
Saw an interesting set up drive past in Brisbane last week, they had 3 solar panels on the top of an approx 22 Ft Caravan, (hardtop), mounted on a frame which had one panel on each side facing the road at aprox 45 Degrees and the third in the centre on top laying flat all mounted longest side facing forward. Regretably they went past too quicly to get a really good look but you would sure need to remember the extra height when going under an ioverhead bridge.
Cheers,
Boroma604.
AnswerID: 346720

Reply By: wazzaaaa - Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 21:05

Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 21:05
Don't forget to claim your rebate from the govt. for your panels on the caravan, I got $99 for mine it is good to get something for nothing.
Wazzaaaa
AnswerID: 346793

Follow Up By: Angler - Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 21:57

Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 21:57
How does one find where to do the claim. I have just put one on my van. I certainly would not say no to $99.00

Look forward to hearing from you.

Pooley
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Follow Up By: Topcat (WA) - Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 22:50

Friday, Jan 30, 2009 at 22:50
I would be very interested too to see how you got a rebate as the Government Guidelines seem to only mention solar energy fitted to permanent housing (not caravans) & have the ability to not only to reduce the household power consumption but also be able to put power back in the grid????
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Follow Up By: wazzaaaa - Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 at 06:52

Saturday, Jan 31, 2009 at 06:52
This is the Govt. site
Govt

But this is the crowd that I used to buy the rec'c
Link

Below is a copy of my first email contact with them, the price of the rec's changes all the time. I have 6x 65w solar panels on the van


Hi Wazza



Yes that is correct you can claim RECs for a system installed on caravan - however you do need to provide a residential address to calculate the RECs. Unless the panels were installed by a BCSE accredited installer you can only claim in lots of 5 years for your system.



We are currently buying RECs at $49.00 per REC until the end of next week.


It normally takes approx 5-10 days for the RECs to become registered and payment can take 3-4 days depending on the banks processing time, so please expect your payment within 2-3 working weeks of us receiving your form.



Please include a copy of your “proof of purchase” invoice with your assignment form (copy attached).



Please don’t hesitate to call or email if you have any questions. I have explained below how to calculate the amount of RECs your system is worth.



The level of RECs per PV system is dependent on the size of the system and the Solar Zone Rating of the installation. Which zone the system falls under is determined by Postcode (I have attached the solar zone postcode table for your reference).

System Capacity (kW) multiplied by x Solar Zone Rating multiplied by x Deeming Period ( 5 or 15 years)

(____________) kW x ( ______________) x (________________) years = No. of RECs (rounded down to the nearest whole number)

No. of RECs ___________ x REC Value $ ____________ = Expected Payment $ ___________



An example is: 1kw installed in Sydney (postcode 2000 falls under zone 3 and zone 3 calculation is 1.382) for a claim of 15 years is as follows: 1 x 1.382 x 15= 20.73 and rounded down that is 20 RECs . 20 recs x $41 per REC= payment of $820.00


Kind regards



Lorrae
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