Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline SOLAR

[Kevin K]

Monocrystalline ----------Better
or
Polycrystalline -----------Good
SOLAR
Thinking about getting a solar panel for my camper.
What kind do other people have Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline?

[Gina D.]

I have 250w of poly(multi)crystaline and am happy with their performance, even in Oregon weather.

150w came with the trailer and is roof mounted, 100w is what I already had, and I keep those moveable. I think the combo works nicely.

[Raz]

There is also Amorphous which is what I bought. Each is described here:

Mono-Crystalline, Poly-Crystalline, & Amorphous Solar Panels

No good or bad, just choices.

[RogerDat]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

There is also Amorphous which is what I bought. Each is described here:

Mono-Crystalline, Poly-Crystalline, & Amorphous Solar Panels

No good or bad, just choices.

Nice clear link.

I thought I heard someplace that one type had the better output under full sun, but the other type did not suffer as much reduction in output from overcast or low sun conditions.

Darn me if I can remember which one was which or where I saw it.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by RogerDat

Nice clear link.

I thought I heard someplace that one type had the better output under full sun, but the other type did not suffer as much reduction in output from overcast or low sun conditions.

Darn me if I can remember which one was which or where I saw it.

I believe amorphous is less affected by partial shading.

If however, partial shading occurs, an amorphous panel also referred to as thin film, should be considered, as thin film panels perform much better in partial shade.

http://solar-quote.com.au/#/which-ty...nel/4545404586

[GeorgeR]

I have 2 60 W monocrystalline panels from Solar Cell, Solar Panel, Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, Charge Controller, Solar Trackers with MPPT Morningstar controller mounted flat on the roof. The highest amperage achieved was about 8A at 13.6V. In our recent SW/NW trip of 5000 miles we had to turn the generator only once in the miserable weather in Yellowstone.

If I would repeat solar installation I would go with 160W monocrystalline cells on rigid or semi flexible panels.

George.

[Raz]

At the time I bought my panel, the amorphous panels used a somewhat flexible and thus more durable construction. For my purpose this was better as the panel is not attached but rather rides in the trailer during the day. It was also the cheapest. A while back Tom posted about inexpensive panels.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...5-a-51480.html

A couple days later I heard a news report that the Chinese manufacturers were flooding the market with inexpensive panels much to the dismay of the US manufacturers. Now is a good time to buy solar. Raz

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

..................... A while back Tom posted about inexpensive panels.
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...5-a-51480.html

A couple days later I heard a news report that the Chinese manufacturers were flooding the market with inexpensive panels much to the dismay of the US manufacturers. Now is a good time to buy solar. Raz

The cheap Chinese solar panel party may be over for a while.

BEIJING—China unleashed a storm of protest Friday on multiple fronts against the U.S. decision to impose a 31% antidumping tariff on Chinese solar-panel makers and said the action could backfire on U.S. industries.

China Warns Solar-Panel Tariff May Backfire - WSJ.com

[Paul Chet]

Good post Tom. Looks like its already happening because I was shopping around for a simple 50w monocrystalline panel, but despite old posts on this topic suggesting some really nice prices - I didn't see them this week! I wanted a Ramsond panel since they were suggested here, but the price is significantly more than what I have read folks here have paid. The Chinese panel I ended up buying was the price the Ramsond used to be. We have been using a 40w panel that came with our first Play Pac. It has provided plenty of power for some LED lights and charging the ipad, etc. and we dont have many appliances (as of yet!). I am simply recreating the solar layout in our new Play Pac as it really has been a wonderful feature. I'll be sure to report on the panel's performance as it arrives just before our Yosemite trip and I anticipate it will get a good test with no hookups in the park!

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

The cheap Chinese solar panel party may be over for a while.

China Warns Solar-Panel Tariff May Backfire - WSJ.com

MODERATER ALERT. Boy can we talk politics on that one.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by P. Raz

MODERATER ALERT. Boy can we talk politics on that one.

I sincerely hope this doesn't incite political discussions. My point was to document that the price of solar panels my rise from their current low prices.

[RogerDat]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

I sincerely hope this doesn't incite political discussions. My point was to document that the price of solar panels my rise from their current low prices.

Thanks too. Useful info, I am not really ready to address solar install on my egg but may be a good idea to purchase panel now. Forewarned is forearmed and might save me some loot.

Politics have no place in a camping forum, I save that for when drinking around a campfire with family. Been arguing with each other our whole life, gotten pretty good at it too. Time and place for everything as they say.

[Raz]

Originally Posted by Thomas G.

I sincerely hope this doesn't incite political discussions. My point was to document that the price of solar panels my rise from their current low prices.

I'm sure it won't. Just having a little fun with Fredrick, that's all.