Solar panel size

[PokerDealer]

Happy Holidays everyone I've decided to go solar. At least for the most part. I won't use the microwave or the furnace. I'll use my Mr. Heater and stove/oven. I'll need to charge my electronics, use my TV/DVD, water pump, hot water and fridge. I have 2 trojan T 105's. I'm getting a Trimetric 2030 and Trimetric SC2030 (it's a 30amp solar programmable solar charger). I'm looking for a solar panel between 150 and 250 watts that will fit on my roof. I have a Forest River Wildwood 181BHXL. I can't find roof dimensions that will show the net so to speak. We have vents, AC units TV antennas, how much actual space so I have. Then I need to find a panel that will fit. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[boondocking]

Don't get one large panel get 2 smaller panels and parallel them together. You will have an easier time finding a place to mount them than one very large panel.
For example a 250 watt panel is 66" x 25", where as a 120 watt panel is 43" x 25"

[PokerDealer]

That makes sense, thanks for getting things started

[wanderer69]

First thing you need to do is get on the roof and measure not only the over dimensions but also AC unit, vent, tv antennae or anything up there that can cast a shadow. Your should plan to avoid shadowing as much as possible. Shadows can cut the performance of a solar panel greatly. So size and place them accordingly.
Then get a kill o watt meter and get as close to accurate as possible the amount of power you will need to replace each day. That will tell you what watt panels to buy.

[PokerDealer]

Here's what I'm thinking. After buying a battery meter, a charge controller, Wires, two solar panels and mounts, I still need to get an inverter and rewire everything to watch my TV or listen to my stereo. I'll be in $1,500 or more if I have someone do it. Why don't I just buy a quite 2K generator ($900). I can run it with the battery charger I have to recharge the batteries and I plug it in to use the rest of my appliances. I know, I can't use my roof air and heater, but picking the right climate takes care of that.

[wanderer69]

1.With a generator just remember at most campgrounds there are restrictions on the hours you can run a generator.
2. Don't forget that with solar there is a 30% federal tax credit for $1500 that's $450 so the solar is actually going to cost $1050.
3. Maybe you could get the solar then when you get the tax return use the money from the credit and buy a generator. That way your covered for power on cloudy days or while camped where there are lots of trees.