Thinking of fitting a solar panel

I'm planning on purchasing and fitting a solar panel to my 2003 Nuevo this spring. I've done quite a bit of research on the Internet and feel confident I can do the job. However, I'd be grateful for any tips from anyone who has already done this. 

In particular, there are a multitude of suppliers out there with wide variations in price. Any thoughts about best brand and supplier. Is it best to buy a complete fitting kit or get all the bits separately. I'm thinking of fitting a 100w panel.

100w panel would be fine there is masses on the forum on panels and suppliers including fairly recent stuff on Nuevos and Lancashires, have you done a search ?

Hi Hellfire
             It's worth checking the roof of your Nuevo to ensure that the area free from obstructions i.e roof lights,vents etc is big enough to take your chosen solar panel. It's a bit depressing after taking delivery of the panel only to discover there's not enough room to fit it .

All sellers give panel dimensions so it's easy to check that it will fit. High efficiency panels are smaller although more expensive, which, in my case enabled me to fit a 100 watt model on the roof of my Eton.

The task is fairly straightforward the hardest part is steeling yourself to drill the hole in the roof for the cable .

Cheers John

I've had an 80w panel fitted and there are photos showing the location if you do a search.

Thanks for the replies. I will search the forum

Hi Nick, I fitted a solar panel to my 2004 EK a few years ago. Panel measures 100cmx65cm, and fits neatly rear of the rooflight. The hole is inside the wardrobe and the cable goes to a Steca PR 1010 controller. From that another cable to the leisure battery via an inline fuse. Really easy and it's never been a spot of bother. I could fit a gizmo and have it topping up the vehicle battery as well, but I prefer to keep things simple.
Al.

I got mine from a 100% feedback guy on e-bay, had to get 2 x 40w units as there was no room for a larger one, a doddle to fit, hiding the wiring took the longest  & the 80w easily keeps the 2 leisure batteries charged via a morningstar charge controller.

Got mine from sunshine solar 100w included cable splitter / regulator connectors and adhesive 1004 x 669 .Problem I had was the end plastic feet added approx 60 mm to the length and width which I stupidly had not allowed for , resulting in me having to shave off a few mm from one of the feet as it rested on the slope near the kitchen vent . ( I had the foot of the domed antena to avoid ) , other wise a fair easy installation .

I have the 2005 Nuevo , roof same profile as your own

                          Cheers  Vo

I notice A/S fit a 30w panel as "standard" on new vans.
Is 30w sufficient to keep both vehicle and leisure batteries topped up all year round?

candapack wrote:I notice A/S fit a 30w panel as "standard" on new vans.
Is 30w sufficient to keep both vehicle and leisure batteries topped up all year round?

Its only powerful enough to keep the batteries 'conditioned' when the van is not in use. You need at least 80W to make any reasonable contribution to habitation energy use.

Peter

candapack wrote:I notice A/S fit a 30w panel as "standard" on new vans.
Is 30w sufficient to keep both vehicle and leisure batteries topped up all year round?

I think you will find that most people advise getting the biggest panel they can fit . As  solar panels work at maximum at an angle between 35 and 45 degrees depending on you location ,and following the suns path , the output of the 30w panel , lying horizontal on the roof and  briefly at the perfect angle to the sun would be struggling to reach 15w if that .  Not sure if that fully answers your question , but will give you a better understanding of roof fitted panels .I have solar panels on my house roof and even being mounted at the almost perfect angle and only 12 degrees off due south they have never produced more than 85% of maximum output of 4kw. 

                                                    Cheers Vo

Peter Brown wrote:

candapack wrote:I notice A/S fit a 30w panel as "standard" on new vans.
Is 30w sufficient to keep both vehicle and leisure batteries topped up all year round?

Its only powerful enough to keep the batteries 'conditioned' when the van is not in use.  You need at least 80W to make any reasonable contribution to habitation energy use.

Peter

This leads me on to a supplementary question; they offer an optional 80w upgrade, so why don't they just fit an 80w panel from the start?
I can't imagine the difference in cost to them is very much, and even if they pass it on, would another 50 quid deter people from spending £50k plus on a new van?
Seems a bit niggardly to me.

This 30w panel has also bemused me. Since they started fitting 80 is ok but Autotrail dont have any difficulty fitting 100w panels