SOLAR
FLAIR
WORDS: COLLYN RIVERS
NEW TO THE RV
LIFESTYLE?
HERE’S A QUICK
INTRO TO
SOLAR…
A significant issue when choosing solar
panels for RVs is ensuring maximum output
for their size. Until recently, the two main
contenders were monocrystalline and
polycrystalline. As both developed, there
ended up being virtually no difference,
excepting that once over a cell temperature
of 65°C, a monocrystalline module had
about 1% more output.
Eventually, the California Energy Commission
reported that, in real-world usage (not
manufacturers’ claims and specifications), a
polycrystalline panel performed the same as a
monocrystalline panel.
A considerable change over the past decade
is cost. Solar capacity is now more than 80%
cheaper than in 2012. In that era, the
limitation was how much one could afford.
Now, the limiting factor is available space for
solar panels.