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Solar panel results
I had to remove the solar panels from my van earlier this year. 2x180W panels. 180A Smart alt, stop-start, 1.6 diesel.
So I've compared the last six fill ups from this year without panels vs same period last year with panels.
Results:
Without solar panels: 7.55l/100km (31.15MPG)
With panels: 7.24l/100km (32.5MPG)
So approximately a 5% improvement. It's probably greater than that as I was still running one panel, but due to a wiring issue it was only putting out 10-20Wh/day at best. It was completely disconnected about half way through. I was also occasionally grid charging the battery.
Since a 180A alt can be a pretty big draw on a 1.6l engine, having a solar charged battery makes the van noticeably more lively at low revs.
I believe I'm the only one on here that's shown an improvement from solar panels in an otherwise stock vehicle (no alt. delete).
5% is a pretty long payback but there's also less battery deg, belt wear, alt wear, and you'll never come out to a flat battery in the morning.
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