Solar Awning

[bigb]

RV Solar Awning Can Help Power Appliances While Keeping You Cool

Xponent Power calls its $10,000 Xpanse awning a world first.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[Rocksnsalt]

That’s a great idea, and a start at something that over time may become relatively mainstream for RV’s etc.
Over time the bulk and efficiency should improve, and hopefully costs will go down as well.

 

[cbaarch]

If you do a lot of boondocking in areas where there is a lot of sunshine and you stay for days these are OK. If you are a road tripper or park in a lot of wooded campground with a bit of sunshine these are not going to give you more then stationary panels on the roof.
Likely to stay a novelty as an option for a while yet.

 

[3Play]

$8.30 per watt is not worth it.

 

[bcman]

One of the forum members has designed a system of tracks using 8020 T-slot extrusion that lets you stack multiple solar panels, and slide out the upper ones to form an awning. Can't remember who.

 

[marklg]

I just throw flexible panels up on the awning, but they can go on the ground too. About $1 per watt.




I should probably sue to invalidate their patents for prior art.

Regards,

Mark

 

[kcshoots]

I am planning an electrically extending solar awning on each side on my next camper--That build is starting now with the chassis improvements. But I am planning to do this with lower cost and higher efficiency hard panels. Should be cool!

 

[kcshoots]

One of the forum members has designed a system of tracks using 8020 T-slot extrusion that lets you stack multiple solar panels, and slide out the upper ones to form an awning. Can't remember who.

Yeah, there is a guy with a Travato and on the Travato forum that has done this. I camped with him a month or two ago and it worked great and he had energy to spare as well as make plenty of ice cubes for drinks that night.

 

[Boxster1971]

One of the forum members has designed a system of tracks using 8020 T-slot extrusion that lets you stack multiple solar panels, and slide out the upper ones to form an awning. Can't remember who.

It is forum member Orion - info at this link.

Sliding Solar Panel Rack Systems by Orion Designs | Page 6 | Sprinter-Source.com

 

[3Play]

my solar engineer friend put 2 huge 460w+ panels on the passenger side of his 158" T1N, They hang vertically and he usually parks with them facing south. If he is stopping for awhile, they have kick stands that allow them to fold out like an awning. Incredibly simple system.

 

[Boxster1971]

Yeah, there is a guy with a Travato and on the Travato forum that has done this. I camped with him a month or two ago and it worked great and he had energy to spare as well as make plenty of ice cubes for drinks that night.

Found this Travato sliding solar system on DIY Solar Forum.
Stacked Panels with a slide out feature when parked. | DIY Solar Power Forum (diysolarforum.com)

 

[Rocksnsalt]

Really? It won’t be much use in shady wooded areas? Ohhhhh snap.
Like I said, a start at something that over time may become relatively mainstream.

I’m thinking 10-15 yrs out. There will be technology improvements during that time, probably be using a solar cells in a nice looking and more compact fabric by then.

One of the forum members has designed a system of tracks using 8020 T-slot extrusion that lets you stack multiple solar panels, and slide out the upper ones to form an awning. Can't remember who.

i believe it’s Orion.

 

[marklg]

RV Solar Awning Can Help Power Appliances While Keeping You Cool

Xponent Power calls its $10,000 Xpanse awning a world first.

www.caranddriver.com

Anyone want to bet if they actually ship in 2022? They don't have their supply chain or manufacturing set up yet.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Kajtek1]

OrioN is operating in stone age.
Even I am with 3Play that it is not worth for me, I see members spending 5 or even 8 grands on house battery system and smaller solar, while this idea would effectively help in eliminating generator for AC use.
Still looks ugly, but so are other solars.