Retractable Solar Panels

I've seen those at a couple of RV Shows. It is an interesting idea but usually not practical in the long scheme of things. Rain and high wind would be a problem. i would be curious how they would hold up over time with constant unrolling-rerolling.

I guess they are like prototypes of things to come.

They've been out a while, haven't really caught on.   At $8 a watt, they're significantly more expensive.

They won't catch on at the price quoted but as technology improves and the panels become more flexible and prices come down they will be a standard feature. Our new Alto TT has solar panels glued to the roof and they follow the curve of the roof so the TT is more aerodynamic. The AC is a heat pump under the front seat to nothing on the roof , again, better airflow. TT's are changing all the time and items that  were very expensive options are becoming affordable.

I can see outside covered, including walls, before deployable panels.

@Waymark, Ian posted:

They won't catch on at the price quoted but as technology improves and the panels become more flexible and prices come down they will be a standard feature. Our new Alto TT has solar panels glued to the roof and they follow the curve of the roof so the TT is more aerodynamic. The AC is a heat pump under the front seat to nothing on the roof , again, better airflow. TT's are changing all the time and items that  were very expensive options are becoming affordable.

What manufacturer makes the panels on your Alto?
I put four on my roof and none of them lasted two years. I would go back to adhering panels in a heartbeat if they lasted as long as their 80% output warranty.

D

@Roadie posted:

What manufacturer makes the panels on your Alto?
I put four on my roof and none of them lasted two years. I would go back to adhering panels in a heartbeat if they lasted as long as their 80% output warranty.

D

I wil try to find out what the brand is. I know Alto uses them on all their TT's and I have not read of any problems on the Alto blogs.

I don't see this version as feasible out of the start gate.  Reasons:

1. Cost ($10,000)!  I use my TT on average of 30 days/year.  If I stayed in full service RV Parks at $75/night that's about 4.5 years of RVing for us.
2. It has a thousand moving parts. All wanting to bind up and snap.
3. Weight.  300lbs, that's significant.
4. The shade effect looks like it would be 50% impaired, rain 90%.
5. I laughed when I read the bottom side would still work with snow on the top.  They have never shoveled snow and have no concept of the weight of frozen water.

When they come out with a version that 'rolls' out replacing the current cloth shade and costs $500, I might be interested.

I have to agree with all your comments. I wonder what size motor retracts it. Add an extra 300 lbs at roof height, all on one side can't be good engineering. Yes, add a snow load or rain load could be interesting and we can get caught in heavy thunder showers with our awnings out.

I think it has a limited market @ 10K.  The other issue is although awnings are really intended for shade and not as an umbrella, many folks still sit under the awning in the rain.  Some will angle it so water runs off and/or use tie downs to make it storm proof.   This solar awning can be angled, tied down etc and you’ll still get wet.  The solar panels are water proof but the “awning” feature is not rain proof, it leaks between the panels.

From Xpanse:  

Is the awning rain proof?

@Waymark, Ian posted:

I wil try to find out what the brand is. I know Alto uses them on all their TT's and I have not read of any problems on the Alto blogs.

Hi Roadie, The Solar panels are Merlin brand.