New Solar Panels

[BigmoneySr]

Locations of four 100 watt solar panels on our new 2014 44U Aspire

[halfwright]

I am sorry to tell you this, but you have a problem. Any time there is a shadow cast on a panel, it drops the output substantially. Just from the picture, it appears that the air conditioner will cast a shadow on any of the three next to it, depending on the direction.






cut and paste from

Shading Analysis

SHADING ANALYSIS
Shading analysis is one of the most essential steps in phase of solar energy system design or analysis. In photovoltaics it is important to analyse shading caused by surrounding objects and/or vegetation. In special cases like analysis or design of BIPV systems, exact analysis of "shadow-voltaic" systems (overhangs, vertical shading fins, awnings etc.) is also very important. Similar analysis is also part of passive house or solar house design - overhangs must also be planned very carefully in such case. Basic calculations can be done by some simple equations - formulas for some typical simple cases you may find below. Some graphical tools like solar path calculator (pilkington) are also available. For analysis of complex objects several computer tools are available. Some of them offer even 3D simulation. Shading is especially important in photovoltaics. It should be eliminated as much as possible. Even small obstacles like chimneys, telephone poles etc. shouldn't be neglected. To minimise influence of photovoltaic array shading (if shading can not be avoided) different system optimisation techniques can be used. Detailed explanation of such cases you may find on this page below

[BigmoneySr]

It would appear that way but giving the fact that you only receive five hours of useable sunlight a day when the sun is high in the sky. Any small shadow on the panels will be minimal compare to not having any panels at all. On our other RV we noticed the panels were still working on a cloudy day at a lower percentage. Any shadow that hits the panels will happen before and after your five hours of productive sunlight early in the morning or when the sun is going down. I plan to monitor any great loss because of the direction we park.

[Curtisgeiger]

Originally Posted by BigmoneySr

Locations of four 100 watt solar panels on our new 2014 44U Aspire

Would like to see the photo after the wires are connected. Interested in the routing of the wires.

Also please provide the cost of the modification.

Curt

[jablair]

Hope it works out for you! But as 'halfwright' stated, I likewise am concerned about the shading. Yes, I know about the 5 to 6 hours of sun light during the solar day. Still even a slight shadow on a given panel greatly reduces and/or eliminates the output. Be interested to know how it works out.
Will be doing my solar in the next three months.

[vsheetz]

Shading is a concern of course. Wiring the panels in parallel is a must. The impact depends on your overall design, capacity headroom, usage desires, goals, etc. If not committed as of yet, I would try to keep away from that AC unit if possible.

Here is info on my installation:

[BigmoneySr]

OFF-PK-2RNG100D-0004
Premium Solar Kit 200W off grid: 2pc 100W solar panels+ MPPT 20Amp charge controller+ 10' Adapter Kit - MT-5 Tracer Meter - Monocrystalline Panel
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OFF-PK-2RNG100D-0004
Premium Solar Kit 200W off grid: 2pc 100W solar panels+ MPPT 20Amp charge controller+ 10' Adapter Kit - MT-5 Tracer Meter - Monocrystalline Panel
1
$559.98
$559.98

Subtotal:

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Tax (%):

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$0.00

Grand Total:

$559.98
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The coach came prewired for solar with two #8 wires at two locations. The total length from the batteries was 30’ for one set and 25’ for the other. The wires run up from the batteries over to overhead the door (location of both controllers) and then ran down the cable chase on the passenger’s side of the coach. With this distance I bought two 20amp MPPT charge controllers to split the total load. If you were to add more than two 100watt panels you would need to increase your wire size to keep the voltage drop between 3-5%.

Total cost for the solar system $1,179.92

[BigmoneySr]

my last two 30amp switches and two breakers will be delivered the 19th. After we install all four we will then connect the panels on the roof to both feeds going down to the controllers. The switches will be installed inside over the door to isolate the panels from the controller. The breakers will be installed at the battery to protect the wire leaving the compartment and routed through the coach to the overhead conpartment over the door. The added cost $143.98

[BigmoneySr]

Wednesday should be my first full day with the solar panels connedted to the batteries. The batteries were installed today by Interstate Battery of Tampa.

4 GPL-Lifeline GPL-6CT 6 Volt 300Ah Battery total of 600 amp/hrs $409.95 ea

Total $1,821.01 installed

[Curtisgeiger]

Doug,

I am looking forward to your final report indicating you had a successful run of all your systems -- completely off the grid.

Are you having some professional assistance installing the panels or are you doing that yourself?

Curt

[BigmoneySr]

43 years in the electrical field as an engineer and retired electrical project manager that was over projects from 5 to 32million dollars. Nice to be free from the rat race

[brobox]

BigMoney, thank you for sharing the cost of increasing the solar system on the Entegra. I would not be boondocking enough to justify the cost myself, but others might be right there. I really debated about the cost of factory solar until I saw how much buyers were asking about it on my coach I just sold. It will be fun to play with and I know it is a selling point on a used coach. I am learning a little about solar from your post. Thanks.

[Curtisgeiger]

Originally Posted by BigmoneySr

43 years in the electrical field as an engineer and retired electrical project manager that was over projects from 5 to 32million dollars. Nice to be free from the rat race

Thanks. I will take this to mean you are leading the install yourself. Something I would not be able to do.

What would you estimate the labor to be on this install?

Curt

[BigmoneySr]

Originally Posted by Curtisgeiger

Thanks. I will take this to mean you are leading the install yourself. Something I would not be able to do.

What would you estimate the labor to be on this install?

Curt

three days with just myself and one day with my wife handing the panels up to me on the roof. Total 40 hrs