PV Logic MHD rigid panel on a Hillside Birchover - installation steps

[Anakin]

I’ve taken some pictures along the way, so in case it helps anyone else, here’s a series of posts on “how I done it” (chanelling my inner @Dellmassive).

I chose the mono high-density rigid panels from PV Logic as I wanted an efficient panel that looked neat, had an air gap underneath for longer life, and I thought they looked really smart when I saw the same panel on @Salty Spuds van.

Link to blurb on panels

Mono High Density Solar Panels - PV Logic | Solar Technology

Our quality Mono High Density solar panels in our PV Logic range deliver premium performance for off-grid living; perfect for boats, caravans & motorhomes.

www.solartechnology.co.uk

And their aero brackets

Aero Brackets for the MHD 125W150W200W Solar Panel

Stylish aero brackets designed especially for the Mono High Density solar panel

www.solartechnology.co.uk

 

[Anakin]

The aero brackets came with self-tapping screws, but I preferred to drill and tap M4 holes and thread lock some stainless machine screws

 

[Anakin]

I then cut a hole in the side of the rigid panel and the aero bracket so the solar wire could come through in the correct place on the pop top.

 

[Anakin]

Taped up the edges to protect the wires from chafing

 

[Anakin]

And drilled a hole in the pop top. The wire that came with the panel is 8mm external diameter, 2 core 2.5mm2. I drilled a 9mm hole so that it came out outside the pop top canvas.

 

[Anakin]

The cable emerges through the velcro, down into a 13mm hole drilled through into the rear shelf. A small excess of cable here gives the slack needed for the roof to raise without straining the cable.

 

[Anakin]

Then into the top of the cupboard and behind the wiring panel in the cupboard, down into the footwell space.

 

[Anakin]

Into an isolator and then the Victron MPPT controller.

 

[Anakin]

Scuffed the paint (no going back now), activator, sikaflex and on it went

 

[Anakin]

The panel has an air gap underneath and adds only a tiny increment to the existing height of the Fiamma awning. Measured at 203cm mid van and 204cm at the rear.

 

[Anakin]

And it works !!

 

[Pete j.c]

Great job, can these brackets be cut to length as I have just purchased a Renogy rigid panel which is 578mm wide and I believe the brackets are 670mm so would need to cut them down to size, also my panel is 30mm thick do you see any problems with adapting them.

 

[Anakin]

I can’t see any reason why you couldn’t cut them to length as they are a constant shape along their length. You’d have to be quite precise, perhaps using a radial arm saw with a metal cutting blade, or very accurate angle grinding. I cut pieces out of mine with a dremmel.

I’ll measure the height of the channel that the panel fits into for you.

 

[Anakin]

My panel is 35mm thick, so your 30mm one will fit.

The only problem I can see would be the end brackets. If you look at my first two pictures in this thread, the end brackets have holes which match up with holes you drill in the sides of your panel. If I had your panel, I would pack up the panel inside the bracket, by 5mm to lift it so your hole will be in a sensible position. You have to make sure you don’t drill into the solar cells themselves, aim for just underneath them.

 

[Pete j.c]

My panel is 35mm thick, so your 30mm one will fit.

The only problem I can see would be the end brackets. If you look at my first two pictures in this thread, the end brackets have holes which match up with holes you drill in the sides of your panel. If I had your panel, I would pack up the panel inside the bracket, by 5mm to lift it so your hole will be in a sensible position. You have to make sure you don’t drill into the solar cells themselves, aim for just underneath them.

Thanks that's very helpful, are they made of metal or plastic.

 

[Anakin]

The brackets that the solar panel sit in are extruded aluminium, looks like vapour coated black or painted. The end stops are moulded plastic, probably HDPE or a blend as they are not as flexible as I hoped, but probably due to strength requirements.

 

[Pete j.c]

The brackets that the solar panel sit in are extruded aluminium, looks like vapour coated black or painted. The end stops are moulded plastic, probably HDPE or a blend as they are not as flexible as I hoped, but probably due to strength requirements.

I see they also do these which might suit my requirements, they have 2 holes in the end plates, don't look as nice but I could always paint them black. They also seem to be slightly bigger.

 

[Anakin]

Yep, they look good. You’ll see from my posts that I tapped the threads, but self-tappers probably work too. I also use a low-yield thread lock on allen headed bolts instead of the hardware they supplied.

 

[Pete j.c]

Great way of fitting ridged panels and look alot better as well. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Pete j.c]

Great way of fitting ridged panels and look alot better as well. Thanks for your advice.

One more question if you don't mind regarding your cable, I need to purchase some cable for my panel which is 120w needs to be twin cable like yours, were did you purchase it from and the specs for it. Electrics is a bit baffling to me.