Solar Panels.
My Unimog campervan uses solar panels to provide electrical power for lighting and refrigeration.
Four 60 watt solar panels (Kyocera KC60) are connected in pairs to provide up to 7 amps at 24 volts to charge my two 200AH 12 volt (Elecsol) batteries via a Steca solar charging controller.
The aluminium frame that caries the four solar panels was designed to allow two additional panels to be added. To ensure that the panels operate at their most efficient a 50mm air gap has been left between the panels and the roof.
Both the TV and radio aerials are mounted on the solar panel frame.
Four cables (one from each solar panel) as well as two from the aerials are passed through a water proof marine cable gland in the aluminium roof.
The system was temporarily assembled for testing. The four panels are able to sustain both the refrigerator and 12 watts of lighting (on for 24 hours a day) indefinitely with UK March insolation.
Although my solar panels work as advertised the need to park in the sun when shade may be available is a significant downside. I have also now added a small petrol Honda generator.
