[horselover]

How would I hook a small panel to a van to use the sun to run it for heat or whatever?

Put it this way, if I use a regular minivan similar to a camper van, how would I be able to power it without draining the car battery?

[hardwired]

Originally Posted by horselover

How would I hook a small panel to a van to use the sun to run it for heat or whatever?

Put it this way, if I use a regular minivan similar to a camper van, how would I be able to power it without draining the car battery?

You'd have to get a 12 volt heater and then a solar panel to that will be able to run it.

[ToddF]

How much electricity you use does not affect the payback of solar energy, ironically (unless you have a peak use of 40 kW in Minnesota). Most new systems are interconnected to the utility so these customers buy and sell, (unfortunately) usually at the same rate. Whether they use any electricity is unimportant because they either avoid costs or get money back. These are the same slot in the payback calculation.

My generic answer to "does it pay?" came from summarizing practically every payback calculation I have done in the past year as a solar installer. It is most valid for Minnesota's climate but is close in most areas of the country. I might change it to 25 years payback if pressed.

If modules and other equipment goes down in price, if buyback rates or rebates change or if the prevailing climate changes, this will alter payback. My feeling is that all of these variables will improve solar electric payback.

[ToddF]

PV with a 12v heater would not heat when you need it in a van, horselover. If you stored the energy in a battery, the weight and expence would be even greater than solar thermal. Solarroofs.com makes a 10 sq. ft. heating panel for RV hot water. Adding thermal mass would increase the weight of the vehicle ( and lower its milage). Maybe burning fossil fuels, substituting biofuels or buying insulated underwear is the best answer.

[renic]

Originally Posted by ToddF

How much electricity you use does not affect the payback of solar energy, ironically (unless you have a peak use of 40 kW in Minnesota).

In Terms of "energy payback (it takes X amount of energy to create a solar system, and the system will produce Y amount of energy over it's lifetime)," it doesn't play a factor, but if you are looking at payback on the cost of a solar system, it is one of the largest factors if the utility company uses a tiered rate structure.

Many Electric utility companies use what is called a tiered rate structure to charge for electricity - the more you use, the more it costs. During a billing cycle, you are allotted a certain amount of power at the cheapest price. Once you exceed that amount, the price increases. The more you use, the more it costs, and thus the average price for electricity increases. The higher your average cost is, the more attractive a grid connected solar system becomes.

[renic]

Originally Posted by ToddF

PV with a 12v heater would not heat when you need it in a van, horselover. If you stored the energy in a battery, the weight and expence would be even greater than solar thermal. Solarroofs.com makes a 10 sq. ft. heating panel for RV hot water. Adding thermal mass would increase the weight of the vehicle ( and lower its milage). Maybe burning fossil fuels, substituting biofuels or buying insulated underwear is the best answer.

ToddF is right that space heaters use a tremendous amount of electricity. Solar power for RVs is still pretty popular though. Just about any local RV dealer will sell solar power kits - they typically have to special order them though.

This seems like a common use for what horselover is describing. I have sold very small (5-10 watt) solar panels that do nothing but keep the vehicle's battery topped off. If you are interested in building such a small system, I would recommend checking out the popular "How to Make a Solar Power Generator for Less Than $300."

[Priscilla]

That's a pretty nifty little generater. Perfect for camping. I usually don't use power for camping, but there have been those times when it's raining or whatever and I can make a fire to make coffee or anything.

[renic]

Originally Posted by Priscilla

That's a pretty nifty little generater. Perfect for camping. I usually don't use power for camping, but there have been those times when it's raining or whatever and I can make a fire to make coffee or anything.

For convenience, and light weight, you can't beat a small propane stove for camping.

Me and my wife have been using a 1 burner coleman stove for years. It's just like this one: Coleman - 1-burner Propane Stove-Coleman Propane Stove, propane, grill, cook top, easy, adjustable flame, convenient