Side Mounted Solar

[Tiny Metal Tube]

I plan to run a lot of electrical stuff in my van. I think I should have enough surface area on the roof for solar (500-800W, depending on panel size and my roof rack solution), but I'm not entirely sure.  Just in case it turns out to be not enough, has anyone here experimented with additional solar panels on one side of the van?  The left side is just one big empty canvas going to waste.

I also like the idea of having the extra panels in case of inclement weather. I've heard that on rainy days, you can sometimes still get a little power out of those panels. So I figure more is better.  I like Ausia's solution with the flexible panels on the side.

I'm planning to run a fridge (maybe two so I can have a real freezer. I did my energy audit based on a Dometic CF-35 but turns out Whynters are way cheaper), an induction cooktop, two laptops, in addition to the usual small things (phones, lights, etc.).

 

[SoulRaven]

has anyone here experimented with additional solar panels on one side of the van?  The left side is just one big empty canvas going to waste.

Hi, I'd read this thread back in 2015. He apparently did mount panels on side of RV. PV on side of RV

 

[Technomad]

There’s a YouTube channel of a Canadian couple making a expedition vehicle called “Everlanders” I think.

Anyway, he covered his roof with solar and then did another layer of solar behind that. When parked he has a pneumatic system to push the solar panels below the top ones out like wings on either side. It’s a nice setup.

With panels on the side of your vehicle you could easily raid them with braver bars against the sides when parked to put them at a 45 degree angle. (And maybe really big poles to raise the far side ones up over the edge of the roof so they aren’t in the shade. Something like this:
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[highdesertranger]

here's my post from that other thread,

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well I am sure that works for you and I wish I could do something similar. however I would have those panels tore off in no time. I even removed the fancy side molding from the side of my truck after most was removed for me. highdesertranger
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if you plan on doing any off road driving I wouldn't do it. anything on the sides is going to get beat up and if a branch of any size were to get under them substantial damage will be done. don't ask how I know. I laugh at some of these expedition looking vehicles with ladders sticking off the side = pavement princess. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

Hi, I'd read this thread back in 2015. He apparently did mount panels on side of RV. PV on side of RV

I've no idea how it turned out nor how it worked for charging batteries. 
There wasn't a followup, that I could find. 
I guess it would depend on where you'd travel to and how remote you go, if there's jaggy roads with trees and all that jazz.

 

[SondraRose]

Ausia of the Pandamonium YouTube channel has them on the side of her RV:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCwaGC6GC3yS48u-D4vTcv0g

 

[WalkaboutTed]

Both my husband and I wanted more solar than would fit on our vans.  The third panels are on three 8 inch stainless hinges.  They are put up with two drywall holders "Third Hands", tied down with bungies when up. Not in high wind.

But, we haven't used the hinging mechanism as the amount of solar that comes in with the side mounted panel in the morning is amazing. And you could turn it around for late afternoon sun, too. In the winter with low sun, it cranks out the amps, if you place the side panel to the south.  That's when you need the extra current the most.

Just make sure you use Loctite on the bolts connecting the whole thing and inspect it so there is no catastrophic failure.
Ted

 

[SchortBus]

This is kinda "side"...Pretty sure the owner was selling power to the rest of the camp.

 

[Tiny Metal Tube]

if you plan on doing any off road driving I wouldn't do it.  anything on the sides is going to get beat up and if a branch of any size were to get under them substantial damage will be done.  don't ask how I know. I laugh at some of these expedition looking vehicles with ladders sticking off the side = pavement princess.   highdesertranger

I was thinking something removable, like lightweight flexible panels that just sit on a hook and I'd unplug them when I'm driving.  But with that Everlanders mention above, now I'm thinking something that would slide out from under the main panels and then rotate down along the side, so I wouldn't need to think about storing them when not in use.  I plan to have at least some of the main panels up high enough that a Fantastic Fan could open fully underneath them.  

This is gonna take some serious consideration and design. Of course I'll wait and see how much power I actually use, and what kind of tree cover there is in most of the places I'll be going. I've actually only boondocked once so far, in Kaibab NF, like 1000' from the highway, and there was lots of clearance on all sides.

I also have a couple of Yagi antennae, but I'll probably take them down when I'm not using them.  The one that's for cell frequencies might be too tall to fit under the panels, but the one that's for wifi uses the same connector, so I might have to play around with that and see whether that works on cell signals too.

It is kinda nice planning for the country, where stealth does not apply.

 

[Tiny Metal Tube]

Ausia of the Pandamonium YouTube channel has them on the side of her RV:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCwaGC6GC3yS48u-D4vTcv0g

Heh, yeah, that's actually where I got the idea.