Solar Maintenance

Those new to RV solar sometimes wonder: What kind of maintenance routine do I need to perform? Happily, maintaining the RV solar system is easier than taking care of a goldfish. Much easier!

The panels themselves need to be kept clean. How often? That depends largely on your environment. If you're in an area where there's a lot of wind-blown dust, you'll be looking after those panels more often. The main trick is this: Anything that blocks the sun--even a little--can have a large impact on solar panel output. Cleaning your common "crystalline" panels is a simply job: A soft cloth and plenty of water work well. Unless your panel maker suggests otherwise, some find that glass cleaner works well. The problem sometimes encountered in an alkali dust environment is that glass cleaner doesn't always "cut it." You may find that a straight vinegar does the trick of cutting the muck.

The next bit of maintenance? Keep an eye on the system batteries. Check them at least once a month to ensure the electrolyte level hasn't dropped below level. If it has refill with DISTILLED water. Keep the battery connections clean to prevent power loss.

Uncle Sam Loves Boondockers--Get a Tax Credit

Thinking about putting up some solar panels on your RV for boondocking? It could help you out come tax-time: The Internal Revenue Service provides a credit for solar installation of up to $2,000. Mind you this is a tax credit as opposed to a deduction, so it could really help your bottom line.

How can RVers get this credit? Well, it appears to be largely a matter of language. Just as interest paid on an RV may be a deduction (since the RV becomes a "second home,") this tax credit can also to RVs. And here's the big disclaimer: Always consult your tax professional for advice. Meantime, an interesting discussion this matter has surfaced on a forum appearing on the Escapees' club website. Check out the whole thread, as the information gets clearer as you go along.

Tilt Your Solar Panels?

Tilt your solar panels? If you're a "summer only" boondocker, leaving your solar panels flat on the roof makes good sense. But for those who 'dock in the winter, tilting your solar panels can really make a difference. Why? Solar panels are most efficient when the sun falls on them at a 90 degree angle. Since the sun's relative position in the sky drops in winter, getting full output requires compensating the angle of the panel.

Here's a chart that helps you figure out the tilt angle for your panel. You'll note that major cities on opposite sides of the country are listed, showing an approximate latitude for them. Find your location on a parallel between these cities, then use the associated angle to set your tilt.

Solar Panel Tilt by Latitude

City________________________Latitude_____Tilt Angle

Brownsville, TX-Key West, FL___25______________25
Corpus Christi, TX-Tampa, FL___28______________31
Austin, TX-St. Augustine, FL___30______________35
Tucson, AZ-Savannah, GA________32______________39
Los Angeles, CA-Wilmington, NC_34______________43
Las Vegas, NV-Raleigh,NC_______36______________47
San Francisco, CA-Richmond,VA__38______________51
Redding, CA-Philadelphia, PA___40______________55
Medford, OR-Providence, RI_____42______________59
Eugene, OR-Portland, ME________44______________63
Portland, OR-Duluth, MN________46______________66
Everett, WA-Grand Forks, MN____48______________68

Planning on wintering farther north than these latitudes? Skip the tilt chart, consult the yellow pages under the heading, "psychoanalysts."

Photo: Copyright R & T DeMaris, no use without written permission.