An Ode to my Solar Panel: My Simple Off-Grid Electrical System


So, originally, one often purchases something pricey with the best of intentions. But let me tell you, my solar panel has been through its fair share of mishaps, and it still works better than I was lead to believe solar worked!

I am certainly no solar expert, just a user & fan. It enables me to be off grid, which I love.

I designed my electrical system with my lack of expertise and lack of desire to buy and assemble many different parts (charge controller, solar panel, inverter, batteries, etc.) and learn all about these parts. Perhaps one day I will be willing to put in that effort- but I settled on buying a solar generator and hooking it up to a solar panel which I was to install on the roof of my Truck cap. (My “van” is actually a Truck turned into a van.)

So after much research and agonizing over my options, I purchased my Goal Zero Yeti 400 & my flexible Renology 160w solar panel.

I went with this flexible version in hopes that the flatter panel would be stealthy- I made the right choice! You can’t tell I have a solar panel bolted to the roof most of the time!

The Yeti is perfect for my low energy needs in the van, although I would like to upgrade or link another battery for more power storage in the future. The solar panel plugged right into the Yeti, that part was easy.

The first time I attached my panel, I made some rookie mistakes. I invite you to learn from my failures. Back then, in July 2018, I was not very experienced with building or installing many things. I had owned an RV previously, and fixed a few things, but that was most of my experience. I was afraid to drill holes in the Truck cap to bolt it in, because I feared it would leak! Well, if you want your panel to stay attached, bolting it down properly is absolutely recommended.

I had the bright idea to simply glue it to the top with construction adhesive and a border of Flex Seal Tape. Now, both of these things work well on other jobs- but after several months of weathering and flying down 95 South in Georgia, the wind got under that panel and it ripped off with a terrifying sound- and I look back to see my panel flapping violently behind my vehicle! Thankfully, this was right by a rest stop and I pulled off and took it down. And, thankfully, it stayed attached because I did drill a hole to feed the wiring through.

However, this meant for the rest of my trip, I had to charge my Generator with AC at campgrounds until I could re-attach the panel.

I decided to bolt it down properly, but not before stuffing it in odd positions and places in my van that entire trip. I was so afraid it would be damaged. But, nope, now that it is bolted down, it works like a charm. It is surprisingly resilient and reliable.

 

 

 

 **I have listed Amazon Affiliate links below. I do earn commission if you buy from these links, but I invite you only to buy what will be truly useful to you and no more. Thank you very much if you choose to support my site by using the links!

 

 

Rechargable Head Lamp

 

Goal Zero Yeti 500X


160w Flexible Solar Panel

 

Flex Seal Tape

 

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