I just came across this panel advertised 140w, I didn't think you could get 140w out of that size panel. It seems very cheap to me does anyone have any opinions on this as I'm looking for a few extra panels and these are cheap.
The efficiency is about right for good quality panels (174W per square meter).
My only concern with those panels for a caravan would be the weight at 10kg, thus I chose to use the light weight semi flexible panels which have the same electrical efficiency, but weigh only 1.3kg for 100w.
The engineer working on my van mentioned that many of the repairs he does relate to poorly mounted solar panels, where the wind gets under them, the panels move, then the roof leaks. He encouraged me to use lightweight panels, mount them without a gap, and bond then to the roof rather than rivet them.
Interesting reply about flexible ones, Hadn't considered them and they seem to be a fair bit more expensive. I just looked at some and weight was 3.66kg for 100w so they must vary.
I had decided to mount them on roof racks as the weight would not be on the roof but gutter, I already have 2x80w panels on roof of a Coaster and didn't want to add more up there on roof it self.
If the thin ones failed for one reason or another how would you get them off the roof if they are glued on, I would expect that would be difficult and expensive to repair damage, Just a thought.
In my project I'm making a tropical roof for the bus and I plan to mount either 6 or 8 panels on the roof, I think that I will be able to mount 8 panel's.. That will give me a grand total of 1600watts of panels, some will say that is over Kill, but I don't think so..
The Tropical roof is to help keep the sun off the roof of the bus..
Juergen
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I bought a 120w setup similar to this from the same supplier a while ago. Dimensions are much the same tho bear in mind that's when the thing is folded up. No complaints or problems with mine. These kits are getting a lot cheaper lately but I think some of the stores are still trying to get the higher original prices. On-line is the way to go for latest technology IMHO
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