Solar panels Forums

moch

We are thinking of having a solar panel fitted to our Auto-trail Miami. Any advice regarding fitting,costs etc, would be much appreciated. Can anyone recommend a fitting service?
Moch

baldybazza

Hi Moch,

Solar Solutions in Poole or Van Bitz in Taunton would be my choice but I don't know where you're based.

Barrie

Chigman

Hi Moch

Give A B Butt a ring.They did mine recently,and I`m really happy with what they did.

Get on the phone to them and talk some figures,they will probably ask you a few questions as to what your running ect,just so`s they know what panel is for you.Good luck.

Link

Vennwood

Solar panels are a very immotive subject, some people love them while others scorn them. IMHO solar panels are excellent. They provide us with around 95% of our power during summer and around 45% during winter. It all depends of course on the size of the panel and usage you need. You need to ask yourself a few questions.

1. Do you want to eliminate EHU or simply supplement your battery drain during periods of inactivity to keep the alarm system working - i.e. winter?
2. Do you have an inverter?
3. How much 240 volt power do you use? and most importantly
4. What size leisure battery(s) do you have?
5. How much space do you have on the roof?
6. How deep are your pockets

In general terms there are numerous dealers around the country that will fit solar panels (shop around though for best prices) but stop and think first and decide exactly what you need. Use the solar power calculator found on this web site and remember to add at least 30% for poor weather conditions, parking under trees etc.

If you are looking for a steady and reasonable daily supply (say around 40+ amps per day) then you should think about large or multiple panels.
If you only want to keep the batteries topped up during winter then a small panel, even folding panel will suffice.
If you use your MH in winter then I would seriously consider fitting either the Alden Phenix or one of the Efoy Fuel Cells
Remember winter times in this country, solar panels are not very effective unless you use something like the Phenix tracking panel, but then you are talking around £1800 fiited. Much better in winter but still won't supply all your needs if you are winter travellers. Efoy fuel cell will cost you approx the same but guarrantee you xx amps per day (but you do need a supply of methanol)

If I could turn back the clock, given we had a dreadful summer last year and we had a poor winter (sun wise) I would certainly have gone for the Efoy system or if money grew on trees then perhaps also two Alden Phenix panels

04HBG

Have a look here it will give you some idea as to cost, no idea what the company is like myself but i have read a few decent comments on them.

teemyob

Hello there,

Where are you based or where can you travel to for fitting?.

Our Solar Panels give us complete freedom in summer and we rarely pay for hook-ups. This saves us at least £2.50 a night. It also means we do not need to hook the motorhome up when we park up at home.

We have BP Solar 2 x 80w and 3 x 110ah lead acid batteries all controled by a Secca 30 amp controller.

Fitting DIY is very easy. they are sold by snellyvision

pippin

Has anyone out there fitted a flexible solar panel to their motorhome?

We have a large crank-up roof light over the bathroom of ours.

I don't particularly like so much light coming in through it and had thought of sticking aluminim foil over it.

It occurs to me that a flexible solar panel would kill two birds with one stone.

CliveMott

Flexible panels do not provide as much electrical output per square metre as the conventional solid glass ones. But they dont lose their output as much under non direct sunlight conditions.

DABurleigh

Last time I looked amorphous has a lesser life than crystalline, to boot.

Dave