Solar panels on nuCamp TaBs

gulfarea

What solar panels does nuCamp use on 320 and what controller? Thanks Art

Awca12a

Just a heads-up for anyone thinking about ordering the solar upgrade or adding solar to their units, here is some literature from nuCAMP which may answer some questions.   Did some additional research and came-up with a Sunflare brochure and a link to an interview explaining the technology.  This is extremely promising and is consistent with the reading we've been getting from our trailer.

Per factory brochure:
TAG gets        111 watts     8.5 Amps/Hr
TAB 320 gets 133 watts     10 Amps/Hr
TAB 400 gets 190 watts     15 Amps/Hr
CIRRUS gets    120 watts    17 Amps/Hr

Interview: https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/interviews/stickon-solar-with-cigs-an-interview-with-20171107
  

jkjenn

I have not seen any real-life robust reviews of these. I hope they live up to expectations. I am having one installed in March.

jkjenn

This is pretty cool...

ScottG

Am I correct from past discussions (and seat-of-the-pants experience) that this is generally not true of most panels? I.e., even a small amount of shading has a disproportionately large impact on panel output?

jkjenn

ScottG said:

Am I correct from past discussions (and seat-of-the-pants experience) that this is generally not true of most panels? I.e., even a small amount of shading has a disproportionately large impact on panel output?

Yes, many are wired to essentially stop charging or take a huge hit when shaded.

Awca12a

The CIGS technology has headwind from the industry I guess because it will upset a great deal of infrastructure and undermine many financial models based on the aluminum frame & glass approach.  My guess is we will see a combination of the two using the best of both within a few years and that bodes well for new commercial applications.  For use in our trailers, I see little downside to the plastic covering approach over CIGS as used by nuCAMP and the panel component is so cost effective, it can be replaced in a few years as the technology changes while using all the existing wiring and wiring making it an easy upgrade .vs. the traditional solar panel.  The combined technologies have a theoretical 30% efficiency and recently produced ones hit 21% breaking the ever moving glass ceiling of 20%.   All this combines to mean that the nuCAMP approach looks like it will be good for us and if new units 4-years from now hit 30% it means we can upgrade and stay boondocking longer.

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2018/07/21/the-weekend-read-cigs-is-back-back-again/
https://phys.org/news/2018-09-perovskitecigs-tandem-cell-efficiency-percent.html

jkjenn

The Sunflare panels specs show slightly less efficiency than the more traditional panels, so we will have to see how it measures up in real life performance. They claim they perform better at hotter temps and and lower light but no hard data or testing reviews available, yet.

pthomas745

The controller is a Victron.  This thread describes a 2021 controller as the MPPT 75-10.  In the 400's they apparently have the 75-15.

This thread from 2019 describes the various panels.  It should be a good start, but some newer info would be good.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/8325/sunflare-panels-on-nucamp-for-2019

manyman297

The panels used on the 2021 (and probably the 2022) models is a Sunflare:

https://www.sunflarexplor.com/

markbless

My 2022 Tab 320 Boondock stock solar panel is the 3M Ultra-Barrier Solar Film. Spec sheet is attached.

Sharon_is_SAM

@markbless - this appears to be a special, clear cover to protect a flexible solar panel.  It is not the actual panel.  

markbless

Ah, thank you.

SLJ

This is the one on my 2021 320 S except the connectors are on the bottom.
https://ok4wd.com/brands/sunflare-solar/sunflare-solar-sunflare-105w-solar-panel-sunflex35-nr-105w-ok

stepheng

Are the panels available with the connectors on the bottom?