Vehicle solar panels to grid

[California98Civic]

I had planned panels for my car roof once, but gave up because it seemed like too little power to be worth it. This grid-tie is a cool idea.

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

The 100 watt panel seems like it may not want to conform to a convex surface. It seems like it needs real flat or a flat curved surface.

I had not thought about compound curves when shopping for flexible panels. Makes a lot of sense. Unless you shape the panel with cuts, the corners will want to poke up. That would be disaster at speed.

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

The only thing I don't like is the hump where the wires tie into the panels.

I hated that prospect too.

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[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

The 100 watt panel seems like it may not want to conform to a convex surface. It seems like it needs real flat or a flat curved surface.

I have a plastic backed (there are also aluminium backed versions) flexible panel on my van. When the sun heats it up it, the plastic softens and it will conform nicely to a convex vehicle roof.

[oil pan 4]

I was reading an old issue of PM, june 2010, Vol 187, no 6.
In the article they were saying that vehicle to grid and using as back up power supply will be common.
Well that is only about 4 years away and I don't see it happening.

In other news, my vehicle to grid has been working great so far.