Solar panel advice

[Oddcouple]

Before I get the ‘look at the old forum posts’ message, I have and they’re not really helpful! 
if anyone has fitted flexi solar panels how did you get on with them? I’m looking at 160w panels charging to around 115 amp hours daily (decent days obviously). Would rather have real info on use than read ‘real’ reviews. Possibly upgrading to lithium leisure battery as well.

[Oddcouple]

That went well 😂

[Chris.ac]

i wonder how effective a flexi panel would be if fitted inside the vehicle, using the rear moonroof?

That way its secure from theft and damage, not sure if the additional glass would cut some of the UV out, cannot remember if the moonroof is UV blocking

[Oddcouple]

2 hours ago, Chris.ac said:

i wonder how effective a flexi panel would be if fitted inside the vehicle, using the rear moonroof?

That way its secure from theft and damage, not sure if the additional glass would cut some of the UV out, cannot remember if the moonroof is UV blocking

Solid roof for us I’m afraid. 

[Rojie]

UV should penetrate tinted glass; but the level of UV will be reduced with increasing level of tint.

 

Unfortunately, not much UV should pass through a windscreen; especially the laminated ones, as the plastic laminate is a UV blocker !

[Oddcouple]

So just to clarify before I put this to bed, no one can help with this one? If I go ahead, I’ll certainly let you all know how I get on…

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, Oddcouple said:

So just to clarify before I put this to bed, no one can help with this one? If I go ahead, I’ll certainly let you all know how I get on…

 

Before you 'put it to bed', I have two suggestions.

 

1) Visit some VW forums, there must be info available on them.

 

Call some mainstream sellers, there are specialist companies that ought to be able to advise you.

[Oddcouple]

12 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

Before you 'put it to bed', I have two suggestions.

 

1) Visit some VW forums, there must be info available on them.

 

Call some mainstream sellers, there are specialist companies that ought to be able to advise you.

Already all over it. On a couple of forums that have been really helpful. I’d just always prefer users experience over salesmen experience. We were in the VW scene for a long time and still have many contacts so no issues there. Thanks for the advice though!

[Ceri]

I've got 5x 120w Flexi panels mounted on the roof of my caravan. They charge a 200ah lithium battery. The output from them is nowhere near the rated power for most of the year. This is mainly because they are flat on the roof, not angled south like you would with a house system or portable panel. It's not a problem as long as you oversize it accordingly.

Today, I've got 2.1kwh from this system.

 

[Oddcouple]

32 minutes ago, Ceri said:

I've got 5x 120w Flexi panels mounted on the roof of my caravan. They charge a 200ah lithium battery. The output from them is nowhere near the rated power for most of the year. This is mainly because they are flat on the roof, not angled south like you would with a house system or portable panel. It's not a problem as long as you oversize it accordingly.

Today, I've got 2.1kwh from this system.

 

Ah, thanks for that. I never actually thought about the whole flat roof thing. Just goes to show the need for me to get advice 😆