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01-13-2025, 01:20 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2025
Posts: 12
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How does one protect solar panels on camper top?
Hello -
I'm looking at the Wolf Creek 850 camper, which comes with 2 200watt solar panels on the top. That's really nice, I think, but then it also begs the question on how to protect the panels.
I imagine unless one parked away from trees that eventually branches or other items will fall and damage the panels. Also, long-exposed panels will accumulate dirt and oily road slug.
Are there hard covers for them? I would think that soft covers would quickly blow off unless seriously strapped down.
Thoughts?
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01-13-2025, 02:27 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 28,513
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I think you are underestimating how sturdy the panels are. And falling object that would damage a panel would also damage the roof if the panel wasn't there, and that's not something you worry a lot about, right?
As for dirt, wash the roof & panel once in awhile. They will both appreciate it.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is now West Palm Beach, FL
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01-13-2025, 02:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,394
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You don’t need to protect them. They need and are designed to be exposed. They are not fragile glass. You need to climb up and hose and brush the dirt off occasionally but I’ve found rain does a fairly good job
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2023 Coachmen Encore 325SS
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01-13-2025, 02:43 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2024
Location: WI Driftlesser
Posts: 2,583
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They are typically tempered glass which is extremely hard to break. The slight slope of most roofs is enough to keep them mostly clean with rain, but it never hurts to rinse with a hose, or scrub them. Be aware that larger strings of panels could be wired in series for higher voltage, and I would not want to be on the roof with water and any contact with the panels in that case.
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"Bringing third world electrical work to first world luxury." RV makers of Murica!
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01-13-2025, 02:53 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,419
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I've been on these forums for several years. I've never seen any post from a person wondering what to do with, or how to fix, their broken solar panel on their roof. Translation: Must not happen often!
I've got solar on top of my 3 RVs. Never had an issue with stuff falling on them and/or breaking them.
Regarding dirt...Dirty panels will produce less power. So depending on how dirty your panels are, or how dependent you are on squeezing all the power possible out of them, that will dictate how often (if ever) you need to clean them.
Enjoy!
Chris
__________________
2 x 2015 Thor Majestic 28a 30' Class C. Ford e450 v10. 500w solar. 2000w inverter. 200AH
2013 Coachmen Leprechaun 210QB 23' Class C. Ford e350 v10. 300w solar. 1100w inv. 220AH
*** Addicted to mods and tinkering ***
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01-13-2025, 03:06 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner Outdoors RV Owners Club Jayco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Auburn, WA
Posts: 809
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It certainly does happen though. When I got up on the roof after our last trip of the season I found one of my panels shattered. Did another thread on how that might have happened and had many interesting and creative theories - still don't know for sure what or when but likely some road debris while rolling down the road at 50 or 60 mph. The whole idea is to sort of turn them on and forget about them so kind of defeats the purpose if you are always up on the roof covering and uncovering them.
__________________
TT: 2019 ORV Timber Ridge 23DBS, Blue Ox SwayPro 15K/1500
TV: 2019 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCab LB, 6.2L, 4.30/e-locker, 4x4, 164" WB, RoadActive Suspension
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01-13-2025, 06:26 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Brenham, Texas
Posts: 2,580
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim-FallCity
Hello -
I'm looking at the Wolf Creek 850 camper, which comes with 2 200watt solar panels on the top. That's really nice, I think, but then it also begs the question on how to protect the panels.
I imagine unless one parked away from trees that eventually branches or other items will fall and damage the panels. Also, long-exposed panels will accumulate dirt and oily road slug.
Are there hard covers for them? I would think that soft covers would quickly blow off unless seriously strapped down.
Thoughts?
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You never know! It doesn’t happen very often, but people have been seriously hurt and even killed by bullets that return to earth after having been shot from a gun into the sky.
Your solar panel may have been a victim of someone’s celebration.
__________________
Eddie and Jomaye, Retired
2018 Newmar Ventana 4369, 2021 Jeep Wrangler,
2024 Haulmark 20’ enclosed car hauler
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01-13-2025, 08:33 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 158
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I believe there are 3 different hail certifications, IEC/UL/TUV. That doesn’t mean all panels meet one of the standards. But, each panel will have their design standard etched/embossed. See if you can find that in order to give you an idea of durability.
__________________
2024 KZ Durango Gold 358RPQ, 2018 F450 Kings Ranch
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01-13-2025, 09:04 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 1969
Posts: 3,054
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You protect solar panels from damage by not getting them.
I learned this is the 80s when they were damaged the first winter. After getting out of the navy, my first choice was to live in the mountains with trees.
Since you already have panels use them until the cost of repairing them is more than the cost of electricity.
I also like to camp where there are lots of trees that provide shade. I had a large limb pile into the ground two feet south of me. The RV roof would not stop it.
Another camper showed me an optional vent in the front of their MH. The insurance company gave them an option of fixing the big hole.
__________________
Kit & Rita (in memory)
37 foot ‘98 HolidayRambler Endeavor diesel pusher
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