Solar Panel for windshield?

[Rollin]

<div><div>Reading all this great info on this site about alternative energy has got me thinking...</div></div><div>In my&nbsp;situation I think&nbsp;stealth is #1 on the list of&nbsp;priorities.</div><div>So having solar panels mounted on&nbsp;the roof is out of the question for now&nbsp;at least.</div><div>What about having a solar panel&nbsp;propped up in the windshield like a sun shield during the day while I am at work?</div><div>Would the amount of power be worth the&nbsp;expense?</div><div>Right now the only power I will be consuming is a small fan, cell phone charging and&nbsp;rechargeable&nbsp;battery's for small LED lights.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>The fan I'm using can be run off of 8-D&nbsp;battery's or 120v AC but I'm thinking this could get&nbsp;expensive quick&nbsp;replacing&nbsp;battery's all the time.</div><div>Any ideas are welcome.&nbsp;</div>

 

[bobbert]

I saw a van dweller that had a big ole' solar panel in his rear side conversion van window. He didn't give his results as to whether he had good input/output, but since the earth travels around the sun, he'd have to park his rig in a way that it receives the most sunlite, several times per-day, for maximum voltage output. Something you may want to think about. You could get a flexible panel, &amp; just place it on the rig as you need it throughout the day. Might want to be careful, for the sake of theft-<div><br></div>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;You'd have to check it out, but I think that the windshield would cut down on UV and thus the power output.&nbsp; <br>

 

[Les H]

I have done this many times.. I have one of the harbor freight 45 w solar kits ( about $149-179 on sale. Includes 3 panels, charge controller, two 12v fluorescent lights and all wires/cables) I don't have my panels permanently mounted on my roof yet- still chasing down a very persistent, pesky leak. So, when I can, I set the panels out next to the van. When I cant, I put one panel in the windshield and at least get 15 w of power to charge, though only at something like 2.5 amps. Still, if you face south, and leave it there ALL DAY, you will generate some charge. I also have a digital 12v meter, which is a huge improvement over the red/yellow/green led one that I used to have. As a side note, I don't think the uv coating on a windshield will matter at all, but a tinted window will Definatly cut down on available light, which in turn will reduce the panels effectiveness. Some stores sell 5 w and 15 w panels thtat don't need a charge controller (eg. sunforce brand) but they are kinda expensive on a per watt basis, and I don't know how well they work. I also have a 4"x12" mini panel that puts out 1.5 w at 900ma. It is good for recharging small batteries, or if you are parked long term ( airport for instance) to maintain full charge to compensate for the clock, radio presets, etc.
Hope that helps some.
Les

 

[SoulRaven]

I was camped with another vandweller named Mike... Had either a 5 or 15w portable set-up that he moved the panel with the sun...He said it kept his phone charged as well as a hand held, not a ipad but like it, system that he used daily and at night to read and watch movies... Both of these devices where solar charged from the single panel... He also used the dash/windshield at times...<br>

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;I have a pair of Transition prescription glasses and they don't work when in a car, regardless of how bright it is. They react to UV and not enough gets through the windshield. ..Willy.<br>

 

[Les H]

Willy, solar panels don't react to UV, only light itself. Simone posted on here a while ago that he had a solar system on his roof that generated 5 amps or so under parking lot lights at walmart. It is a different light wavelength. We had a Pontiac transport that had a polerized winshield, couldn't use the standard dash mounted ez pass for eastern toll roads and bridges, but the panel worked fine in it.

 

[SoulRaven]

LOL the dark magic of solar... Some times when there is a on-off switch, that is as far as I wanna know of some things... LOL<br>

 

[thinker]

<div><div>Reading all this great info on this site about alternative energy has got me thinking...</div></div><div>In my&nbsp;situation I think&nbsp;stealth is #1 on the list of&nbsp;priorities.</div><div>So having solar panels mounted on&nbsp;the roof is out of the question for now&nbsp;at least.</div><div>What about having a solar panel&nbsp;propped up in the windshield like a sun shield during the day while I am at work?</div><div>Would the amount of power be worth the&nbsp;expense?</div><div>Right now the only power I will be consuming is a small fan, cell phone charging and&nbsp;rechargeable&nbsp;battery's for small LED lights.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div>The fan I'm using can be run off of 8-D&nbsp;battery's or 120v AC but I'm thinking this could get&nbsp;expensive quick&nbsp;replacing&nbsp;battery's all the time.</div><div>Any ideas are welcome.&nbsp;</div>

i have previously suggested, though i don't remember where, mounting pvc tubes on either side of a roof rack. many contractors do this for pipe and stuff.<div>between the pvc and the hight of the rack, your solar may remain quite hidden. looks like a contractor van and you can use the pvc for storage. a tarp and poles and rigging would be good. then use the pvc/rack for an awning/canopy anchor.</div>

 

[Willy]

Willy, solar panels don't react to UV, only light itself. Simone posted on here a while ago that he had a solar system on his roof that generated 5 amps or so under parking lot lights at walmart. It is a different light wavelength. We had a Pontiac transport that had a polerized winshield, couldn't use the standard dash mounted ez pass for eastern toll roads and bridges, but the panel worked fine in it.

<br><br>&nbsp;Ya know what? Yer right. I think the reason that stuck in my head is because of some reading I was doing regarding newer solar that's supposed to utilize UV light. ..Willy.<br>

 

[Rollin]

Really wish I would have found this sight sooner and had more time to research. Any how I pulled the the trigger today and ordered a 20w mono-crystalline solar panel, a&nbsp;controller, adapters to connect to starting battery,&nbsp;rechargeable&nbsp;battery's&nbsp;for the&nbsp;fans and lights along with a DC powered quick charger for them, a battery monitor and&nbsp;miscellaneous&nbsp;adapters and&nbsp;connectors&nbsp;to make it all happen. Plan on replacing the starting battery with a large deep cell marine&nbsp;battery next and I should be set for now at least. My hope is&nbsp;between the&nbsp;alternator, solar panel and shore power (when&nbsp;available)&nbsp;should be enough.&nbsp;I wanted to thank everyone for there help and advice&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif">&nbsp;<h1 class="parseasinTitle " style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.7em; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span id="btAsinTitle">&nbsp;</span></h1>

 

[Romana-S]

I was resting a 100w solar panel inside my big bus on the dash. It was partly shaded by the split windscreen, but it still produced over 80w of power when the sun was at its optimum angle. So yeah, a solar panel will work inside your van mounted on the dash.<br>

 

[wheelsoffreedom1776]

I have a sunforce 5 watt panel propped in front of the sunshade in the windshield when I'm parked for an extended period. It keeps the starting battery topped up just fine. <br>

 

[sl1966]

I have a sunforce 5 watt panel propped in front of the sunshade in the windshield when I'm parked for an extended period. It keeps the starting battery topped up just fine. <br>

<div><br></div><div>I've seen them and have always wondered whether they're worth it. Mine is currently at an RV storage park and after having my propane tank stolen, am a little skittish about buying one. However if they're worth it I might get one. I'm tired of my battery being too weak after a month.</div><div><br></div>

 

[wilcofan]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Not entirely the same, but I bought a string of solar rope lights and installed them with cable clamps around the living quarters of my van.&nbsp; The solar panel/battery is able to be disconnected from the string of lights, so I put it in the windshield during the day, then connect it at night so that I can switch the lights on and off without using my house batteries. So far so good...</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">though I have been toying with the idea of putting a 20 watt panel in my windshield to keep my starting battery charged while charging my cell phone/tablet.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I just recently purchased a 100 watt grape solar panel from home depot. I haven't had a chance to install it yet, though.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[yesican]

Can you over charge a battery if you constantly have a trickle charge on it? Is there some kind of a voltage regulator from the cigarette lighter that would prevent an overcharge from happening?
Rae