Solar Experiment with the Winnebago Solis

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Recently we completed an experiment on the Winnebago Solis to test the solar capabilities and overall off-the-grid capabilities of the van. The Winnebago Solis comes with dual group 31 AGM deep-cycle batteries and a 220-watt flexible solar panel with controller, expandable up to 520-watts. In the experiment, we wanted to test solar power capabilities  of the Solis to keep the refrigerator cool while not hooked to shore power or running the generator. So we took a Solis, filled the refrigerator with water, ice cubes, and some Popsicles and parked it for a week outside not hooked to shore power.

WATCH OUR VIDEO ON THE SOLAR EXPERIMENT HERE

Each day, one of our Sales Consultants went out and checked the solar controller for various readings and checked on the water, ice cubes and Popsicles. The readings we measured were related to the photovoltaic power, or the energy created from the sun hitting the panel. We examined the following readings…

  1. Outside Temperature and Cloud Coverage
  2. Internal Battery Temperature
  3. Battery Voltage
  4. Generated Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Accumulated Since Last Reset
  5. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Current
  6. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Voltage
  7. Refrigerator Temperature

Day 1 –

  1. Outside Temperature and Cloud Coverage – 51 °F and Cloudy
  2. Internal Battery Temperature – 77 °F
  3. Battery Voltage – 13 Volts 
  4. Generated Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Accumulated Since Last Reset – 4 Kilowatts 
  5. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Current – 2.0 Amps
  6. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Voltage – 13 Volts
  7. Refrigerator Temperature – 37 °F

Day 2 – 

  1. Outside Temperature and Cloud Coverage – 54°F and Cloudy
  2. Internal Battery Temperature – 77 °F
  3. Battery Voltage – 13 Volts
  4. Generated Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Accumulated Since Last Reset – 5 Kilowatt Hours
  5. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Current – 1.2 Amps
  6. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Voltage – 13 Volts
  7. Refrigerator Temperature –  37 °F

Day 3 – 

  1. Outside Temperature and Cloud Coverage – 42°F  and Sunny
  2. Internal Battery Temperature – 77 °F
  3. Battery Voltage – 14.1 Volts
  4. Generated Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Accumulated Since Last Reset – 5 Kilowatt Hours
  5. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Current – 3.4 Amps
  6. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Voltage – 14 Volts
  7. Refrigerator Temperature 37 °F

Day 4 – 

  1. Outside Temperature and Cloud Coverage – 35°F and Rainy
  2. Internal Battery Temperature – 77 °F
  3. Battery Voltage – 13.1 Volts
  4. Generated Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Accumulated Since Last Reset – 5 Kilowatt Hours
  5. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Current – 2.8 Amps
  6. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Voltage – 13 Volts
  7. Refrigerator Temperature – 36°F

Day 6 – 

  1. Outside Temperature and Cloud Coverage – 40°F and Sunny
  2. Internal Battery Temperature – 77°F
  3. Battery Voltage – 12.6 Volts
  4. Generated Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Accumulated Since Last Reset – 6 Kilowatt Hours 
  5. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Current – 0.5 Amps
  6. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Voltage – 13 Volts
  7. Refrigerator Temperature – 37 °F

Day 7 – 

  1. Outside Temperature and Cloud Coverage – 43°F  Clear Sky
  2. Internal Battery Temperature –  77°F
  3. Battery Voltage – 13.6 Volts
  4. Generated Photovoltaic (PV) Energy Accumulated Since Last Reset – 7 Kilowatts
  5. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Current – 2.7 Amps
  6. Input Photovoltaic (PV) Voltage – 14 Volts
  7. Refrigerator Temperature –  37 °F

At the end of the 7 days the refrigerator remained the same temperature as it was when we started and the ice cubes and popsicles were still frozen.

See our Winnebago Solis inventory here.

Experience the Best℠ at Lichtsinn RV, the #1 Winnebago Dealer in North America for the last five consecutive years. Lichtsinn RV is located 1 mile north of Winnebago Industries in Forest City, IA and we proudly sell new Winnebago motorhomes and pre-owned RVs from various manufacturers. While at Lichtsinn RV, you can expect no delivery miles on new RVs, a complimentary half-day educational orientation of your RV, excellent guest reviews, an assigned support team from sales, parts, service and the business office, superior accommodations, no-hassle pricing and competitive financing. See our extensive new and used inventory here.

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