2024 TAB 320-S Black Canyon Factory Solar: Best Yield and Configuration?

bobctwin · May 8

All 2024-2026 320-S Black Canyon owners:
What is the maximum solar output (Watts) that you have seen for your 320-S Black Canyon (assuming a State Of Charge (SOC) required bulk charging from your MPPT controller)?
For those that are not familiar with the 2024+ 320-S Black Canyon, the model has the two 190W panels positioned on the left and right sides of the curved roof. The flexible panels stretch from the front just above the gally window over the curved roof to just above the bottom roof rack cross bar.

On a recent trip through the national parks of southern Utah, March 14th through the 21st, with consistent bright sunshine, no shade, >3000ft of elevation, maximum temperatures of 75 degrees, my Victron Cerbo GX recorded a single maximum solar yield of 157W. See the attached Solar yield and associated SOC graphs.

2026 March 13-28 Utah Trip Solor Yield Watts.jpg

I'm concerned that these long 190W panels, curved over the roof, suffer too much partial shade during the day and as a result, yield less than half of their combined rated power.
If anyone knows the specifications of these panels and how NuCamp connected them, please let us know.

I'm not sure how these two panels are configured but the Victron MPPT controller reports an open circuit voltage (Voc) of about 42 Volts. Since a typical 200W panel has a Voc of 21-24V, I assume that the two 190W panels are connected in series to yield 42V.

Should NuCamp change the Black Canyon solar design to a Dual 200W panel configuration (one on the front slope and one on the rear slope) wired in parallel to compensate for front to back shadowing?

Or is a Voc of 21V, in this proposed configuratton, less efficient for the 12V MPPT controller?

SavvyNurseCamper · May 20

Hi @bobctwin I too am having power issues. I have 2025 Tab 400 Boondock-Black canyon with 400 amp hours of battery power and managed to run the batteries down to less than 10.4 volts purely off the Isotherm 130 refrigerator . That's with the camper in full sunlight for the two days it was running with no obstructions and no clouds in the sky. I believe either the solar panels failed or the Victron controller with shunt was wired wrong. It is currently at the RV dealership and will not be evaluated till Thursday . I don't believe the refrigerator failed but I could be wrong. 😉

Grumpy_G · May 21

From a theoretical perspective solar panel ratings are wildly optimistic as they are determined under very specific test conditions that do not reflect real world use. Typically the panels reach 75% to 80% of the rating in real world applications. So a 190W rated panel might put out ~150W. Add to that the variation in angle towards the sun which is I'm guessing 45+ degrees between both ends of the panel which reduces output plus solar panels get less efficient when they get hot. Maybe that all adds up to only ~160W.

Interestingly when I looked up pictures of 2026 Black Canyon models there are two different solar configurations, one with the dual long panels and one with individual panels in the front and back.

SavvyNurseCamper · May 21

@Grumpy_G So I looked and it appears the same solar configuration . I do note a new aluminum utility platform . You can have that instead of the tub. I would prefer the tub but what do I know. I would wait to see what it looks like since they did not have it in the walk through.😉

SavvyNurseCamper · May 21

@Grumpy_G I was talking about the tab 400, not the Tab 320-S. That may have different solar panels on it.

bobctwin · June 12

The 2024+ Tab 320-S Black Canyon is equipped with dual 190W panels as shown below. Note that the geometry has significant shadowing front to back during the course of the day.

@Trailpixie summed up the issue for his TAB 360 Black Canyon. The long series connected panels have too much shadowing. Given the 360's star gazing windows, his 4 panel solution with the forward slope panels in series, the rear slope panels in series and the two sets in parallel, would be a big improvement. See:

TAB 360 Solar is Weak

These long panels are part of a poor solar design that cannot keep up with the load of the DC frig and the fan, on low, even on sunny days.

bobctwin · June 12

SavvyNurseCamper · June 16

I wonder why NuCamp did not utilize the same solar pannels that they use for the Tab 400. I have 310 watt panels, 1 in the front and one on the rear. 620 combined power but probably will never see if except for days traveling in blue sky and no clouds and probably from 11 am to 1 pm for best sun. Which is why I plan on installing a DC to DC charger from my truck.

bobctwin · June 16

The TAB 320-S available roof area may not support the 400's 310W panels. It would be great if it did.

@SavvyNurseCamper, are your 400's two panels wired in parallel? If so then the front slope to back slope shadow loss would be reduced for morning and afternoon production while the 11 to 1pm production would be unchanged. If you get a chance, please measure the Open Circuit Voltage at your controller or check it in your Victron Connect app as that will give us a clue to the factory wiring configuration.

Note that my dual 190W panels report 40.52V which I suspect indicates a series connection.

If your panels are wired on series, that may be the reason that your production is insufficient for your refrigerator.

BTW: I did install a Orion XS DC-DC charger but due to the lack of specifications for my Toyota Sienna Hybrid's "alternator" DC-DC converter, I limit the charge current to <10A.

AnOldUR · June 17

@bobctwin said, "The TAB 320-S available roof area may not support the 400's 310W panels. It would be great if it did."

It does …..

SavvyNurseCamper · June 17

I suspected it would. Great picture! What is the wire loops for above the door?

bobctwin · June 17

Wow, two of those wired in parallel would be fantastic on the 320-S.

@AnOldUR do you also have a 310W panel on the back slope?

Do you know what the Open Circuit Voltage (Voc) of just one 310W panel?

AnOldUR · June 17

@SavvyNurseCamper
We use a half umbrella above the door for sun / rain protection. I shortened the post so that it's a simple drop in place setup.

AnOldUR · June 17

@bobctwin
Not a bad idea, but no, we just have the one 310W panel. We tow with a two door Wrangler and have a dog. We use a rack on the back of our 320S for additional gear that won't fit in the tow vehicle.

The open current voltage of the 310W panel is 47.52. I installed a separate 100/30 Victron solar controller to replace the 75/10 from the original rooftop panel.

bobctwin · June 17

@AnOldUR

I understand from your post that you replaced the factory installed 200W panel and 75/10 charge controller on your 320-S with this 310W and an upgraded 100/30 charge controller. This must have been a chore to remove the factory panel. Any wisdom on the process?

When and If one of my 190W long panels fail, I hope to do the same.

AnOldUR · June 18

Actually @bobctwin, my factory panel was about 100W. Other than it being smaller, that didn't make it any easier to get it off. The removal part is difficult, but cleaning up the sticky residue was the real challenge. The only wisdom that I can share is to have patience. When I would get frustrated, I'd quit for the day and tackle it again later.

Here's a link to the thread of my panel upgrade.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/19295/upgrading-the-100w-solar-panel-on-a-2020-320s#latest

Horigan · June 19

I found a good way to remove the adhesive is use 3M adhesive remover and plastic razor blades. Apply the remover to the edge of the adhesive and work it in with the plastic razor blade.

AnOldUR · June 19

@Horigan, I tried several adhesive removers but not that 3M product. The one that worked best for me was Goof Off Pro Strength. It was very aggressive and has some risks, but did not harm the finish on the aluminum skin. If anyone chooses to try it, I'd suggest testing it somewhere hidden before going all in.

2024 TAB 320-S Black Canyon Factory Solar: Best Yield and Configuration?

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