Which Brand Solar panel?

[Dot]

Thinking of upgrading the BP solar panels 3 x 80watts in anticipation of going lith later on. What brands etc do you think are the best and why?

[Jon and Kay]

Do you mean replace the BP Solar, or add to them?

[T1 Terry]

Properly fitted using the right methods these would be among the best you can buy https://www.solar4rvs.com.au/solar-panels-flexible.html and this guy would be up there with best as far as helping out where he can and backing his product all the way, you really can't ask much more than that. You do need to know what you are doing when mounting them, you can't just glue them to the roof and think they will put out their best, the way the system is wired up is extremely important as well. Get it right and you will be a happy camper for many yrs to come, get it wrong and you will be forever wondering why every one else seems to be able to do stuff you can't even though you have just as much solar as they do.

T1 Terry

[Dot]

Most likely replace them Jon as there isn't too much spare space up on the roof. (bus)
Shall pass this info onto G when he gets back from his check up.

[Jon and Kay]

The BP solars should be ok, mine are 7 years old (117w) and each still like new, pulling 7 amp each.
If you are short of space, then you are best to find a good Mono panel. For some reason the ones Terry has recommended are 30% larger for the same output of other panels. I do not know why. I do see they claim better efficiency (20%), and Terry has had a lot of experience buying panels.
I would be measuring the available roof area (where no shadows ever fall from vents, aircons and aerials), then get panels sized to suit. My original two panels were 117w, the next two had to be 110w to 'fill the gaps', and the last two are 120w because they filled the remaining roof area. I have a space available (never in shadow) that will take another 300w if required.

[T1 Terry]

The BP solars should be ok, mine are 7 years old (117w) and each still like new, pulling 7 amp each.
If you are short of space, then you are best to find a good Mono panel. For some reason the ones Terry has recommended are 30% larger for the same output of other panels. I do not know why. I do see they claim better efficiency (20%), and Terry has had a lot of experience buying panels.
I would be measuring the available roof area (where no shadows ever fall from vents, aircons and aerials), then get panels sized to suit. My original two panels were 117w, the next two had to be 110w to 'fill the gaps', and the last two are 120w because they filled the remaining roof area. I have a space available (never in shadow) that will take another 300w if required.

It is that border around the edges, if space is a premium they can be overlapped a bit with no ill effect. When using the Thermoclear as the backing medium the cooling is improved with these panels compared to the solid type panels so the output in full sun is much improved compared to the rigid panels.

T1 Terry

[Jon and Kay]

Thanks T1, I would never have considered Thermoclear, had wondered how they dealt with the heat issue.

[shonky]

Hi, all.

We just put 3 100w panels on the roof - the type SolarRV recommend - and have had no problems to date. Might even put on another couple, as space is not a worry. We used Sikaflex 11C, which sticks like adhesive to a blanket.

[Jon and Kay]

Why would you need a blanket adhesive Shonky?

The last two panels we used were Monos from Bit Deals on eBay. I have bought several times from Bit Deals and found them good to deal with.

[T1 Terry]

Hi, all.

We just put 3 100w panels on the roof - the type SolarRV recommend - and have had no problems to date. Might even put on another couple, as space is not a worry. We used Sikaflex 11C, which sticks like adhesive to a blanket.

Um..... you may need to reattach the panels mid summer, 11FC only has a tolerance to 60*C, then it releases, Simson or the Selleys Armourflex range are SMP type adhesives and have a temperature tolerance of 90*C and 30 mins at 120*C or higher. Solar panels in full sun with no air movement can climb to over 70*C. The amorphous panels I stuck on the fibreglass poptop on the kombi lift off around the edges as soon as the warm weather comes as I thought 11FC was the stuff to use, the output is so poor I'll just wait till the blow off now so I can replace them with these type panels