Bifacial Solar Panels

[RVGlen]

Has anyone tried using bifacial solar panels on their RV?
If so, did you install them over a fiberglass roof?
How much of a gap do you have between the panel and roof?
How are they working out?

[10 fan]

Originally Posted by RVGlen

Has anyone tried using bifacial solar panels on their RV?
If so, did you install them over a fiberglass roof?
How much of a gap do you have between the panel and roof?
How are they working out?

I bought 12 Hightec 200w +25% bifacial panels. The frames are double wall aluminum, very strong. I built a raised rack so they are 1/4" below the façade. That gives me about 8.5" below the panels, white fiberglass roof. I finished one string of 6 in series before starting my trip. First day leaving CA I saw 71a and have seen 55a to 65a after that with cloudy days. Don't have any idea if the bifacial part is helping. Don't know how I could even test that. If I ever got over the max output that would tell me but I don't think you ever get the max rated output. This is my first rv solar so have nothing to compare it to. I am very happy with the panels, construction and company. The size was a perfect fit for my roof and layout. Will do the second string when I get home in 3 weeks. So far so good but it's only been up and running sense July 8.

[10 fan]

Here's a picture of the roof so far. There will be 3 more on each side long ways front to back

[RVGlen]

Originally Posted by 10 fan

Here's a picture of the roof so far. There will be 3 more on each side long ways front to back

Thank you! I read you should have at least 4" gap between panel and roof and you made sure you have enough gap. I don't want to have to keep climbing on the roof to tilt the panels and then put them down to move. Did you setup something to tilt the panels without climbing on the roof?

[10 fan]

I put hinges on one side for maintenance only. I will never tilt them for more power. At my age it's easier to add more and leave them flat. That's why I have 12 (soon). Here's a picture of the hardware I used.

[RVGlen]

Originally Posted by 10 fan

I put hinges on one side for maintenance only. I will never tilt them for more power. At my age it's easier to add more and leave them flat. That's why I have 12 (soon). Here's a picture of the hardware I used.

I guess I'm confused. I read bifacial panels should be tilted so the back can get reflection from the roof. I don't know. It's all new to me. I haven't done anything yet. I'm still in the planning stage but I only want to do it once.

[vito.a]

10 fan, very nice install. Can you walk front to back on the roof?

[10 fan]

Originally Posted by RVGlen

I guess I'm confused. I read bifacial panels should be tilted so the back can get reflection from the roof. I don't know. It's all new to me. I haven't done anything yet. I'm still in the planning stage but I only want to do it once.

Bifacial panels use a clear backing so light goes thru. If you look at the first picture it shows how much light goes thru. You can see a reflection on the roof of the end panel laying flat.

[10 fan]

Originally Posted by vito.a

10 fan, very nice install. Can you walk front to back on the roof?

I can only raise one and move forward to raise the next and so on. When I get the next 3 on each side it will probably be the same. I can walk between them when their tilted.

[Boxster1971]

A company in Arizona makes a solar panel tilt rack that uses electric actuators with remote control. They would be perfect for bifacial solar panels.

https://www.solarvector.net/

[SJ-Chris]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

A company in Arizona makes a solar panel tilt rack that uses electric actuators with remote control. They would be perfect for bifacial solar panels.

https://www.solarvector.net/

It looks like to buy the electric tilt mechanism only it would cost $599 (plus tax) for EACH residential sized panel you want to be able to tilt, plus a $60 remote (which can control up to 8). That's mighty pricey!

[Tallcamper]

I have 2 370w bifacial panels on a 30' class A. Palmer Energy installed using their 4" brackets. Manufacturer listed bifacial @ +5% so not expecting a lot of boost.. Even running AC on a very sunny day the Victron appt smart solar CC never took more than 400w from the panels! 2 banks of 2 6v 245ah AGM Batteries.

[daveh5525]

Originally Posted by 10 fan

I can only raise one and move forward to raise the next and so on. When I get the next 3 on each side it will probably be the same. I can walk between them when their tilted.

Can I ask how the biracial solar panels are holding up since you installed them? We are getting a new Ventana and after reading your post on biracial panels, we are hoping we can install them on our new coach.
Do you have two solar circuits and two mttp controllers to have 2400 watts? If you added a 2nd circuit, how did you get the wires down?

[10 fan]

When I ordered my coach I wasn't sure what I was going to do (solar) so I ordered 2 solar preps. I decided on 2 strings of 6 panels in series, one on each solar prep wires and 2 Magnum PT-100's. I stuck with all Magnum products. It has worked perfect with no problems. If I did it again I would use all the same stuff. I also added a Magnum 3012 and inverted the entire panel so I could run everything off the batteries. It was a lot of work but it's nice to being able to run everything weather I'm on shore power, generator or inverting off batteries.
I made a list of everything on each inverter so I don't overload them. If washer, drier, or dishwasher is on I pick the AC on the other inverter.