filippomasoni
New Member
What vehicle/camper do you have? I didn't quit understand how are you placing the panels.I am planning on installing glass panels on my roof with a 23 degree tilt that is permanent. Two 200w panels on each side of the roof low edge near roof edge, high edge near center of roof. The high point of the installed panels will not be above the other roof installed items so the overall height of the rig is not increased.
I fully agree that having a variable system that requires climbing on roof to adjust is something that won't get utilized much.
I have also read that most of the flexible solar panels don't last long, and degrade over a much shorter time so I am sticking to narrow and long 200w full glass panels. The additional cost of two fixed "struts" that raise the interior edge of each panel is small, and they will connect to the typical feet that are 3m VHB taped to the roof. Just my approach..
Flexible solar panels are less durable, reason why most of them have less than 5 years of warranty compared to 20-25 of the glass ones. They are also a bit less efficient, 2-3% and more expensive.
But if I'm not tilting them and they'll permanently stay on the roof, glued with such a low profile and low weight, then I think it's worth it, much lower center of gravity and better for off-roading. Also much less drag on the freeway an noise.
Do you guys know of good suppliers of solar panels in Europe? Both rigid and flexible. I'm struggling to find different options.