800W total
The roof is a meaningful daily charging source, not only a maintenance charger.
Chapter 04 · Solar
A roof built to harvest more of the day.
Eight CalSun panels turn Cozy's curved roof into an 800W array. Four panels run front to back along each opposing roof plane, spreading collection across changing sun angles without changing the camper's basic character.
The array
Eight panels across the two sides of Cozy’s roof.
The array is deliberately shaped around the Casita instead of pretending its curved roof is a flat residential rack.
Roof side A · one front-to-back line
4 × 100W CalSun · short edges meet
Cozy’s roof ridge
Roof side B · one front-to-back line
4 × 100W CalSun · short edges meet
Two roof sides
Parking direction changes which side receives the strongest light and when, helping the array collect across more of the day.
Smart solar control
The Victron controller continually adjusts to changing light, panel temperature and battery conditions.
Real-world solar results · not a lab promise
4.2kWh
best recorded day near San Antonio, despite morning tree shade
750W+
repeated sustained readings in favorable full sun
836W
observed peak, held near 800W for several minutes
~4.5kWhprojected San Antonio day without the morning tree shade
Current-array performance
Strong output, measured in real conditions.
These readings show how the present eight-panel CalSun array performs on clear days and when sun angle and parking direction are especially favorable.
ConditionObserved outputWhat it shows
Current array8 × 100W CalSun635–674Wclear midday readingsThe revised roof layout immediately delivered stronger, more dependable production.
Best conditionsFavorable orientation750W+ sustained836W observed peakOrientation and real campsite conditions still matter, but the roof can now approach its nameplate meaningfully.
How solar becomes usable energy
☀Two roof planescollect changing sunlight
→
SmartSolar 100/50finds and regulates
24V bankstores and bridges gaps
Camper loadsuse energy when neededFrom roof to battery
Each roof side contributes as the sun moves. Solar wiring brings that energy to the controller, which adapts to sunlight, panel temperature, shade and battery condition. The system captures what the campsite offers without treating the rated 800 watts as a fixed output.
From battery to camper
When solar exceeds demand, the surplus rebuilds the reserve. When cooling or appliances need more than the roof is producing, the 15.36kWh bank supplies the difference without interrupting the camper.
Built for real campsites
Tilty shows how parking direction affects the roof above.
The dashboard shows Cozy's heading and the two four-panel rows. Pitch and roll explain how level the camper is, while Sparky records what the panels actually produce.
Orientation has consequences
Measure the result instead of assuming perfection.
Trees and partial shadeCloud coverSeason and sun anglePanel temperatureParking directionMorning obstruction
Tilty explains how Cozy is sitting. Sparky records what the panels actually produced. Together they turn campsite conditions into useful context.