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Old 11-22-2021, 03:06 AM   #1
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Will campers install the Solar RV Awning?

https://camperreport.com/worlds-first-solar-rv-awning/

US-based company Xponent Power aims to update your RV awning with the world’s first solar RV awning that gives you 1000 watts of solar.

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Old 11-22-2021, 03:28 AM   #2
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At $10k, I'm sure those will fly off the shelves...

With the advent of flexible panels, that's been talked about before. I wonder if they've overcame the downsides - the biggest is the lifespan of the panels... AND a solid warranty.
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Old 11-22-2021, 03:53 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad View Post
At $10k, I'm sure those will fly off the shelves...

With the advent of flexible panels, that's been talked about before. I wonder if they've overcame the downsides - the biggest is the lifespan of the panels... AND a solid warranty.
$10k, Heck no, I can buy a lot of fuel for my 2000iv generator with that money.
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Old 11-22-2021, 04:56 AM   #4
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I think it is a great idea. But I am not sold on the current implementation nor the price. 3rd or 4th generation might be a sell though.
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Old 11-22-2021, 12:27 PM   #5
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That doesn't look like a very effective awning! Rain will come right through LOL.

Yeah I'd wait until V2 or V3...
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Old 11-22-2021, 12:54 PM   #6
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Quote:
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At $10k, I'm sure those will fly off the shelves...

With the advent of flexible panels, that's been talked about before. I wonder if they've overcame the downsides - the biggest is the lifespan of the panels... AND a solid warranty.
I believe the issue of heat degradation won't be an issue anymore...
Interesting use of technology. I hope that they can make it a more viable option to conventional awnings...
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Old 11-22-2021, 01:26 PM   #7
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The regions we travel in lead to minimal Awning usage due to wind

No way would i invest that much into anything easily damaged

Has to be something more durable out there



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Old 11-22-2021, 01:30 PM   #8
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Seems it would limit charging while driving, and also limits parking orientation to greater degree. I’m admittedly biased because I haven’t found much need for solar or awnings.

Retractable or folding panels that stack above each other during travel make more sense to me for the time being for RVers who need more surface area than they have available on RV roof. And even that isn’t great idea because it adds weight up high and adds complexity — more things that can go wrong, stuff to maintain, etc.
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Old 11-22-2021, 02:04 PM   #9
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The regions we travel in lead to minimal Awning usage due to wind
No way would i invest that much into anything easily damaged
Has to be something more durable out there
They specifically that issue...
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Old 11-22-2021, 02:09 PM   #10
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$10k, Heck no, I can buy a lot of fuel for my 2000iv generator with that money.
I was working on a project where we considered developing this back in 2017....
The technical challenges added to high final cost lead us to drop the project.
Its an interesting idea though...
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Old 11-22-2021, 02:24 PM   #11
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They specifically that issue...
They address the awning retracting but they don’t address the structural support where the awning is attached to the RV. There is more that can be damaged in winds than just the fabric.

I have no use for the 1k dollar system I currently have so there is no way I would even consider a 10k system.
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Old 11-22-2021, 03:11 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Scubawise View Post
https://camperreport.com/worlds-first-solar-rv-awning/

US-based company Xponent Power aims to update your RV awning with the world’s first solar RV awning that gives you 1000 watts of solar.
No thanks, in the Northwest between the forest, rain and wind not used enough. $10k will buy a lot of diesel even with the current war on the fuel.
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Old 11-22-2021, 04:58 PM   #13
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Half the time I don’t get marketing.

One of the reasons I don’t find awnings very useful is because they often don’t provide shade when and where I want it. Early and late in day they don’t contribute much useful shade, and in middle of day we are usually away from camp site anyway.

In any case, why do they use pictures in advertising that clearly show the awning not contributing much shade at all. The majority of shade in picture and video is from the adjacent trees, not the awning. And those same trees will likely make the “solar” part of the awning useless most of the day.

No doubt it’s a great looking site, but wouldn’t ad be more effective if trailer was parked in desert or a beach?
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Old 11-22-2021, 05:01 PM   #14
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Upon a second casual thought, just a slight two second thought by a casual observer who owns an awning:

It's stupid. Maybe worse.
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Old 11-22-2021, 06:08 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS View Post
They address the awning retracting but they don’t address the structural support where the awning is attached to the RV. There is more that can be damaged in winds than just the fabric.

I have no use for the 1k dollar system I currently have so there is no way I would even consider a 10k system.
How do you know that?
If this is actually a complete system; and not just a modification to the existing awning: they would have to be fools to have NOT addressed upgrades to the hardware and anchoring points...
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Old 11-22-2021, 06:31 PM   #16
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Grant money for
'Solar research'
Often causes such insipid projects.
They don't have to succeed, they just have to document and spend the money.
They've produced a product, marketed a product.
They can now use it in their portfolio as proof of executing a
'Green product'

Now more and biggeer grants.

Business in general is not life in general.
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Old 11-22-2021, 06:38 PM   #17
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I didn’t want to be as blunt as DF, but yeah, it makes one think about who would pay $10,000, and why?

At going automotive rate, that same $10,000 would buy over 50 kWh of lithium batteries. Since the awning is rated at 1,000 Watts, it would make on average +/- 3 kWh of electricity daily. Hence, for the same cost I could have over two weeks of equal electrical power, and could also park in shade or anywhere I want. One night at home or campground every other week would charge back up (likely needed to dump anyway).

Granted that 50 kWh of batteries could weigh significantly more (would need awning weight first), but would not be as vulnerable to weather conditions. In reality it doesn’t take that much roof space for 1,000 Watts of solar which would cost a lot less.

Unless they reduce price considerably, I don’t see much acceptance.
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Old 11-22-2021, 07:05 PM   #18
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I didn’t want to be as blunt as DF, but yeah, it makes one think about who would pay $10,000, and why?

At going automotive rate, that same $10,000 would buy over 50 kWh of lithium batteries. Since the awning is rated at 1,000 Watts, it would make on average +/- 3 kWh of electricity daily. Hence, for the same cost I could have over two weeks of equal electrical power, and could also park in shade or anywhere I want. One night at home or campground every other week would charge back up (likely needed to dump anyway).

Granted that 50 kWh of batteries could weigh significantly more (would need awning weight first), but would not be as vulnerable to weather conditions. In reality it doesn’t take that much roof space for 1,000 Watts of solar which would cost a lot less.

Unless they reduce price considerably, I don’t see much acceptance.
Actually at the going rate $10k would get you closer to 100kWh in autmotive Li Ion batteries.

I would point out that this is the first (maybe last ? LOL) but still it takes a first (and a 2nd and 3rd iteration) before something gets inexpensive enough for the masses.
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Old 11-22-2021, 07:21 PM   #19
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https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1637608825

Jamie is right: may just be the "first step..."
I hope they succeed!
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Old 11-22-2021, 07:42 PM   #20
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Grant money for
'Solar research'
Often causes such insipid projects.
They don't have to succeed, they just have to document and spend the money.
Definitely must be a military project then...
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