Rigid solar panel installation

[goldeneye243]

Bumping an old thread rather than starting a new one -

Is Sikaflex 252 or 522 the best option for a flexible solar panel install please?

Or something else?

 

[ashmul]

Like new if you put ppf on before the panel.

what's ppf skyline, I have been speaking with installers about the panels and they suggest the flex ones will be a nightmare to change once they inevitably fail and that the rigid one will bring the van to a height where it can no longer go under the small parking site barriers here in Ireland, Im just trying to suss it out before I commit to one over the other, the folks there also suggested that the tech for smaller vans and panels was not there yet, does anyone have anything to add on those observations, can you wait and add panels retrospectively to pop tops or better to add it during the pop top install?

 

[Raul a/3]

There’s the amorphous roll solar panels, miasole. Better than the semi flexible crystalline, these are the ones that fail due to head and excessive bending.

 

[CAB]

what's ppf skyline, I have been speaking with installers about the panels and they suggest the flex ones will be a nightmare to change once they inevitably fail and that the rigid one will bring the van to a height where it can no longer go under the small parking site barriers here in Ireland, Im just trying to suss it out before I commit to one over the other, the folks there also suggested that the tech for smaller vans and panels was not there yet, does anyone have anything to add on those observations, can you wait and add panels retrospectively to pop tops or better to add it during the pop top install?

Paint Protection Film

Basically transparent vinyl wrap, fix the panel to it as normal, and it will peel off if you need to replace the panel.

 

[Dellmassive]

Vinyl wrap the section of roof first.

Then stick the flex panel to that.

If the panel needs removing , it should be easier.

 

[Carhoona]

what's ppf skyline, I have been speaking with installers about the panels and they suggest the flex ones will be a nightmare to change once they inevitably fail and that the rigid one will bring the van to a height where it can no longer go under the small parking site barriers here in Ireland, Im just trying to suss it out before I commit to one over the other, the folks there also suggested that the tech for smaller vans and panels was not there yet, does anyone have anything to add on those observations, can you wait and add panels retrospectively to pop tops or better to add it during the pop top install?

@ashmul
what did you decide in the end? I'm based in Ireland and getting an converter to install a flexible panel to my pop top roof (which has ridges). I'm going to add vinyl first then bond the panel using sikaflex. Converter is wondering how bonding to vinyl compares with bonding directly to a primed roof surface.

 

[Grainfoot]

Flat ones are a nightmare to remove , I have done one. But I replaced with another flat one. 4 1/2 years first one lasted so hoping replacem lasts as long. Plus do height worries

 

[Dale]

We fit alot of flexible solar panels, but we leave a 4-5mm air gap to allow heat to escape. This is definitely important !
The slim panel together with a underside junction box gives a very neat insulation. We have had customers tour Spain and similar hot countries in summer months with no issues.
If the worst does happen it can be removed in a similar way to a window removal and cut away from the body.

View attachment 144291

It sure is a neat-looking installation, what wattage is the panel and what sort of cost is it?

 

[Soozzee]

In my experience rigid panels are far more efficient. When you have a high top you don't see it or even think about what it looks like. A roof vent is far more noticeable.

Just got a factory fitted high top t6 and want to put ridged solar on but need them on roof bars to get the extra width. How did you fit yours?

 

[AJCConversions]

Just got a factory fitted high top t6 and want to put ridged solar on but need them on roof bars to get the extra width. How did you fit yours?

You could look at using solar brackets supplied by Photnic universe. These are on their website

 

[Bigsidavies]

I have a rigid panel on cross bars and I used the Renogy z brackets which I fitted upside down. The screw holes lined up with the centre channel on the cross bars and I used tech screws to attach them to the rails. You can then re attach the rubber seal in the channel on the roof bars making it nice and neat.
If you ever remove the brackets tje screw holes will not be visible.

 

[TallPaul_S]

I made brackets out of 3mm aluminium angle, cut to 40mm wide (I think) and secured using stainless M8 bolts and nyloc nuts. That's on my roof rack which has the same t slot that a lot of roof bars will have.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Fed up of flexi panels now, I've had 2 fail in less than 3 years.
I have a 220watt Renogy suitcase to get me through the next few outings which is good, but a permanent pop top panel is betterer.
Resigned to a rigid panel adding height, something with a good warranty and highly recommended by you! I don't feel I need to join the big boys 300 watt plus club, but a 250ish watt would be good, one panel preferred!
Any suggestions on make gentlefolk?

 

[TallPaul_S]

Victron panels are good and cheap, but tbh most rigid panels will be trouble free Vs flexible panels.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Fed up of flexi panels now, I've had 2 fail in less than 3 years.
I have a 220watt Renogy suitcase to get me through the next few outings which is good, but a permanent pop top panel is betterer.
Resigned to a rigid panel adding height, something with a good warranty and highly recommended by you! I don't feel I need to join the big boys 300 watt plus club, but a 250ish watt would be good, one panel preferred!
Any suggestions on make gentlefolk?

You still secretly still want to be a big boy Wayne
Come on admit it
You know you want to

Victron Solar Panel 345W-68 cells Mono 1870x880x35mm series 4c SPM043456803 | eBay UK

Victron Energy Monocrystalline Solar Panel 20V 305W 1658x1002x35 SPM043052002. Victron Energy. Victron Energy SPM043052002. Solar Panels. Fuses & Fuse Holders. Solar Panel Kits. Battery Monitors. Exceptional low-light performance and high sensitivity to light across the entire solar spectrum.

ebay.us

 

[Drive Wayne]

You still secretly still want to be a big boy Wayne
Come on admit it
You know you want to

Victron Solar Panel 345W-68 cells Mono 1870x880x35mm series 4c SPM043456803 | eBay UK

Victron Energy Monocrystalline Solar Panel 20V 305W 1658x1002x35 SPM043052002. Victron Energy. Victron Energy SPM043052002. Solar Panels. Fuses & Fuse Holders. Solar Panel Kits. Battery Monitors. Exceptional low-light performance and high sensitivity to light across the entire solar spectrum.

ebay.us

I was literally just looking at that!

 

[TallPaul_S]

I was literally just looking at that!

Yes, feel the envy rise inside you, use it...

That's the panel I have FYI. With a 100/20 MPPT i regularly see 250w or more even at this time of year. I'm overpannelled so will only see a max of 280w or so. 150w at 10am today!

 

[Drive Wayne]

Yes, feel the envy rise inside you, use it...

That's the panel I have FYI. With a 100/20 MPPT i regularly see 250w or more even at this time of year. I'm overpannelled so will only see a max of 280w or so. 150w at 10am today!

View attachment 286610

Great Paul, I'm going to go with the Victron 270 watt one (I love the blue stuff), should be happy running 2x 4amp fridges and all the varied power suckers we like to use! I have a 100/20 installed already.
Like @The Flying Scotsman I'll be bolting down the front 2 feet through the lid, and possibly the middle ones too? Shouldn't be too tough to do...! I really don't want that ugly gland on the back though, hopefully hide it under the panel somehow...
Determined to not be in the 'big Boys club'! 270 is considribbly bigger than my failed 180 flexi, Victron, 5 year warranty, can't be bad.

 

[TallPaul_S]

With a decent bit of sun I with 270/280w and 230Ah I reckon even with an hour of inverter use a day, I could go for an unlimited account of time.

 

[Drive Wayne]

With a decent bit of sun I with 270/280w and 230Ah I reckon even with an hour of inverter use a day, I could go for an unlimited account of time.

That's what I want!