I too am very interested in doing a solar mount on my 82 vanagon. The
existing propane tank looks mighty grotty and since I'm not totally
comfortable with using propane anyway, it seems like a good idea to use the
$ I'd need to spend for a new propane system to get a good solar system
instead. As Arkady says, discuss, learn and implement

What about the newer flexible solar panels? I've found rollup models
http://shop.solardirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=135
<http://shop.solardirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=135&products_id=444>
&products_id=444

And foldup models
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10
051
<http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=1
0051&productId=100660091&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&PID=1319015&cm_mmc=CJ-_-s
hopping_com-_-D27X-_-100660091&cpncode=21-57558330-2&AID=10368321&cj=true&sr
ccode=cii_13736960>
&productId=100660091&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&PID=1319015&cm_mmc=CJ-_-shopp
ing_com-_-D27X-_-100660091&cpncode=21-57558330-2&AID=10368321&cj=true&srccod
e=cii_13736960

And of course, the new GoWesty version
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4287
<http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4287&category_id=23329&catego
ry_parent_id> &category_id=23329&category_parent_id=

I'm thinking: Why not get a system that can go anywhere from the top of the
camper while you're driving to anywhere the sun is shining while you're
parked. They all seem much lighter than the permanent roof mount systems
anyway.

Has anyone had any experience with the flexible/portable systems? What are
the pros and cons?

Are the permanent roof mount systems better in some way? Why?

Looking forward to this discussion.

Pat - 1982 Vanagon "Otter: (still working on fuel system, also)