Quote:
Originally Posted by TurnerFam
right, but it would probably take you 3 to 5 years of running the generator ‘every-now-and-then’ to offset the great up-front costs of solar versus the little fuel the generator uses... it is very efficient, and you’ve already paid for it - so make use if it before you put more money into other things that might not have the net-effect you are thinking they do. It’s not the magic pill many assume.
I have both, and speak from experience
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He's right. Look up (Google) cost vs. benefit of RV solar compared to a generator and the pay back period will certainly disappoint. Be sure to reference more than two sources.
If the goal is peace and quiet, still getting a battery charge and the sun is in a good mood most of your travels, then you're talking opportunity cost - the cost of spending money on peace and quiet vs. dumping it in the gas tank. The angle of the panels is important. Someone stated 8 hours of sun. In reality, you will only get maximum exposure for about 3-4 hours out of the day given absolutely clear skies. A tilt mechanism will help increase that time and that puts you on the roof twice a day. It'll be really nice when tilt panels can mounted with a motor and follow the sun like they do in a solar farm (yeah baby!).