Solar Panel Permanently on Roof

[cleagarr]

Hi

I know there have been a lot of threads on solar panels but not sure I've seen this; does anyone have a solar panel permanently mounted on their roof? Looking at my hi-top there is a flat area at the back which seems perfect for this...



Any thoughts/recommendations?

[Oldiebut goodie]

I mounted mine at the back , make sure that you leave an air gap underneath otherwise you can overheat them.

[slowcoach]

I've a large ish panel on the top of a pop top, which is obviously a different roof to yours, but you're probably more interested in the mounting fixtures? All Depends on the weight of your chosen panel id think.

[cleagarr]

I've a large ish panel on the top of a pop top, which is obviously a different roof to yours, but you're probably more interested in the mounting fixtures? All Depends on the weight of your chosen panel id think.

Thanks both. Had my eye on this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009 ... UTF8&psc=1

Not totally sure how I'd fit it though.

What do you guys have and how are they fitted?

[Oldiebut goodie]

I've got a 40w panel secured with aluminium brackets and polyurethane adhesive. It is angled slightly down to the rear which helps prevent rain pooling on it. Professional fitters tend to fix them flat with polyurethane adhesive only.

[CovKid]

The ideal is a sun tracking circuit and small motor that pulls the panel round to face the sun. I always envisaged having a full sized one that covered the roof but the cost makes it all rather prohibitive I think.

[Oldiebut goodie]

You just need a pivot that lowers to the ground under the van and an idle lad to lean against the van (shouldn't be hard to find one of them).

[ronsrecord]

I've a large ish panel on the top of a pop top, which is obviously a different roof to yours, but you're probably more interested in the mounting fixtures? All Depends on the weight of your chosen panel id think.

How is yours fitted Slowcoach?

[slowcoach]

How is yours fitted Slowcoach?

Its a 135w panel, mounted flat, with aluminum brackets on each corner. Its raised off the roof by about 2 inches, and bolted through the fiberglass roof with stainless coach bolts and some sealant.

My mate works in the solar trade and so i got the panel very cheap, though at that size its quite heavy, and its made the roof 'settle' a bit. Hasn't been a problem after 2 years though. Just needs bit more muscle to pop the roof up

Ill take a picture later

[ronsrecord]

[zzippyman]

Hi, I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but I've been looking into this too: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/80W-12V-dual- ... 20cad72a54" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm about to get my interior completely refurbished and am thnking it'd be easier/better cosmetically to install the panel/wiring etc. when getting this done. Is the wiring unsightly otherwise?

[Walrus]

I've been looking at flexible panels - lightweight, stick them to the roof (no air gap required) and not visible from the ground (factory high top). Not quite as efficient as rigid panels so need more/larger for similar output.

I was wondering how/where to put the cabling to keep it neat...

[phil_b]

If you use the semi flexible mono crystaline panels they are just as efficient as the rigid but much slimmer and lighter, I have 2 x 50w panels on my factory hightop and very pleased with their performance so far. I carefully drilled through the roof and routed the cables under the headlining, so not visible from inside.

[CovKid]

Get enough of us in a row and we could power a small town. They won't moan about us parking then.

[slowcoach]

Coach bolts so it can't be un screwed from outside



And the charge controller inside. Wiring is very simple, especially if the controller is near the leisure battery.. .