At RV Solar Systems Online we offer an array of RV Solar Kits. While neither type of kit is particularly better than the other, there are pros and cons associated with both types of kits.
Some of these kits are constructed of the “typical” rigid glass solar panels that most people are familiar with. These RV Solar Panels are either mono crystalline or polycrystalline, meaning one or many crystals and refers to the structure of the silicon crystals that these panels are composed of. We also offer Thin Film RV Solar Kits which are lighter weight and have a lower profile.
The “typical” rigid glass RV solar panel kits are more efficient in converting sunlight into energy. This means that these panels can create more power with a smaller size panel under “optimal” conditions.
The key word here is optimal.
While most of the solar industry is focused on these types of panels and are quick to dismiss Thin Film RV Solar Kits because of their lower efficiency, they do have their limitations. Rigid glass panels perform very well on bright, cloudless days. They have to be angled perpendicular to the sun, and have to be oriented properly (which is hard to do on a moving vehicle). Things like a shady RV park, or a cloudy/ rainy day can really limit these type of RV Solar Kits.
ANY shading on the panel can shutdown performance.
This means air conditioners, antennas, satellite dishes, anything on your roof that sticks out and partially shades your panels will significantly hinder power production. These panels have to be oriented optimally to the sun. Meaning they have to be angled perpendicular and facing south (In the northern hemisphere) for them to work to optimal conditions. Adjustable mounting is absolutely necessary to receive the full amount of wattage that these panels are rated to. This means that when you park your RV you have to get on the roof and manually adjust them at every stop you make. Many solar dealers will tell you that this isn’t necessary and you can just mount these flat on the surface of your RV.
While this is true, they wont tell you that you’ll lose up to 40% of the panels efficiency if you do this.That means that those top notch 140 watt panels you purchased are now rated at just 84 watts!
Some would say that it sounds like a waste of money and a bit of a pain to go with this option. While these panels do great on stationary buildings, they are not always ideal for a RV that is constantly moving and prone to being parked in a shady RV park.
A Thin Film RV Solar Kit is light weight and has a very low profile on a RV’s roof. These type of solar panels are typically less efficient than poly and mono crystalline panels. Meaning to create the same amount of energy, they have take up more space on your roof than a conventional panel.
They compensate for this because generally they perform better under the “real world” scenarios that RV owners find themselves in. Typically they start charging earlier and stop charging later than comparable RV Solar Kits, overall providing more amp hours to the typical user.
These types of solar cells perform well on cloudy/rainy days and still operate when partially shaded. Generally they are more flexible than their rigid glass cousins, and are great for portable use as they can be rolled or folded up when not in use.
Two of the more common varieties are amorphous silicon and CIGS . At RV Solar Systems Online we offer two brands of Thin Film RV Solar Kits. The PowerFilm line is manufactured by Iowa Thin Film Technologies and is composed of amorphous silicon. The PowerFlex line is built by Global Solar in Arizona and is composed of CIGS technologies.
Both are high quality and built in the USA.
So depending on how stationary or mobile you plan to be with your RV, and the space you have available, you can determine which RV Solar Kit is right for you. A blend of the two would be ideal and would leave you very diversified in terms of energy production. High efficiency panels would be a power house generator when staying more stationary, while the thin film panels would provide you a fail safe for rainy / cloudy days and when your on the move.
These days RV owners are finding more and more that RV Solar Kits are a crucial necessity for the independent, go anywhere minded RV owner. They’re tired of being constricted by electrical hookups and noisy generators. Many RV consumers are finding that the addition of an RV Solar Kit completely eliminates the need for costly generator fuel fill ups and can appreciate the value associated with going green.
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