Quote:
Originally Posted by MeteorGray
I always wonder about the energy needed to overcome air resistance represented by solar panels installed on a vehicle vs the power they provide to the system. Variables include air resistance and efficiency of the panels, speed of the vehicle, and 12vdc power demand and drag from the 12vdc alternator.
In your case, you seem to be getting more from the solar panels than they're taking. Good for you! Of course, that grid charging is a thumb on the scale :-)
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If you do a good job integrating the panels, they won't add much aero drag.
On my last small van, I needed the roof rack at least once a week so decided to leave it on permanently. I mounted a flexible panel on aluminum strips between the (teardrop) racks, so that they didn't present any frontal area. The added benefit of this is you have a Landrover style safari roof, so your car is always in shade which should save A/C use.
If I decide to keep my Suzuki SX4 (my current short trip, gets kept outside car), the 'safari roof' factor would be just about enough for me to add flexible panels to the factory roof rails.
On the current van, I actually have a recess in the centre of the roof. The (again flexible) panels sit inside that recess and again, don't add much if any frontal area, and they actually cover the ribs that transversely run across the roof.
Grid charging is a thumb lifting the scale since I was doing that without panels fitted, so the difference between panels/ no panels would get greater without grid charging.