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For 12 years I've used an 84W panel mounted on top of the 4WD for extended camping trips with great success. Soon I'll be using it to top up my imaging rig batteries. On average the panel will produce it's rated output for around 8 hours per day, a little more at midday and a little less in the morning and afternoon when the sun is not directly overhead.
Solar panels work best when pointed directly towards the sun. If the panel is movable, you can shift it to track the sun and get much better performance throughout the day.
A large panel will need a regulator to prevent overcharging the battery. A smaller panel, say a 2A panel for a 20AH battery will only need a simple blocking diode if you're charging the battery from a discharged state (cyclic charge). If you plan to leave the panel and battery connected for a month between observing sessions (float charge) then a regulator is advisable.
Cheers,
Rob
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