Bonnet mounted solar panels

[izwozral]

Bit late Ral, go back a few posts.

Still not getting the answer Kev. Bear in mind I'm solar panel illiterate so I won't know a good one from a bad one.

 

[mark61]

Am I missing something? You can buy a 100w flexible solar panel with MPPT controller for less than a £100 from various sites. Why are the solar panels featured on car bonnets more than twice the price?

You can, but these are custom cut to your bonnet, that's got to be worth a few dollars more.

 

[Boris7]

You can, but these are custom cut to your bonnet, that's got to be worth a few dollars more.

Yep, worth about £200 extra for a panel that’s not needed while driving and most of the time when you pack up will be facing the wrong way, then there’s the extra fun of halfwits nicking it (or at least trying) and then who wants to do something more useful with £200 anyway.

You may be solar illiterate Ral, but your right on the money here.


F@)3 it, I’m publicly agreeing with Ral

 

[edina]

F@)3 it, I’m publicly agreeing with Ral

Slippery slope there Kev

 

[Robmac]

I think they have been around a while

Lightyear launches "world's first production-ready" solar-powered car

Dutch startup Lightyear has unveiled its Lightyear 0 electric car that has solar panels covering its roof, bonnet and boot so that it can be charged while driving.

www.dezeen.com

This one has them all over but it only adds about 40 miles of range. Presumably on a sunny day

Imagine the arguments if you park next to them in your van casting a shadow over their panels.

 

[trevskoda]

Imagine the arguments if you park next to them in your van casting a shadow over their panels.

Never thought of that.

 

[Robmac]

Never thought of that.View attachment 150931

That's made me feel hungry Trev, in fact I'm Hank Marvin.

 

[izwozral]

Yep, worth about £200 extra for a panel that’s not needed while driving and most of the time when you pack up will be facing the wrong way, then there’s the extra fun of halfwits nicking it (or at least trying) and then who wants to do something more useful with £200 anyway.

You may be solar illiterate Ral, but your right on the money here.


F@)3 it, I’m publicly agreeing with Ral

Awwww, that's nice, I think I'll adopt you as my father.

 

[marchie]

The kit for my van from Camper interiors is £305 for 80w seems very expensive to me.

£240 gets you EcoWorthy 290w kit with 12v charger/controller.

I use Ablemail 12-2 Trickle Charger [was £65 in Jan 2023] to feed the Vehicle Battery ['VB'] from the Leisure Battery ['LB'] and the latter also runs the induction hob for food preparation whilst the M/Home is sat on the drive doing nothing. I have a portable Panel wired to the LB with a cable outlet via the freshwater/EHU cupboard to top up the solar if necessary whilst M/Home is idle [£90 + £55 for Victron 75/15 MPPT], so a wee bit less expensive, but possibly a little more versatile for our needs

Steve