Solar Panel Positioning- Without Elevating Roof Drilling

[widu13]

I've had a search, but without the exact term too many returns are given. I'm probably asking what has been asked before, but why don't people position a solar panel as far to the rear (on a rear hinged roofs) as possible and run the wires down the rear 50mm or so of the roof fibreglass and then run it underneath the roof to the chosen entry point.

To my mind there will be only two (or one depending on the panel) "stripes" of wire 50mm long visible at the rear of the roof? Especially with the roof vinyl wrapped this would give a removable flush fitting panel option without any roof damage.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Securing the cable would be awkward around all those bends. The cable would be trapped between the roof & body with the roof down. Bringing the cable through the roof makes for a tidier job imo.

 

[Davenjo]

With mine there is no cable visible unless the roof is raised - the panel has it's terminal on the underside with the hole drilled through the roof below this (which is outside of the tented area so no danger of water leaks into the van). The cable is then brought into the van via the SCA's velcro fastening at the rear.

 

[widu13]

I definitely like the idea, but I'm thinking worse case scenario where the panel gives up and has to be replaced and then the same panel cannot be sourced again.

 

[Davenjo]

I definitely like the idea, but I'm thinking worse case scenario where the panel gives up and has to be replaced and then the same panel cannot be sourced again.

In which case you end up with a small hole covered by the replacement panel or filled and painted.

 

[Salty Spuds]

In which case you end up with a small hole covered by the replacement panel or filled and painted.

Or use it for the cables for the new panel.

 

[xswind]

On my t4 i did drill the roof but i did this outside of the living area so if it did leak it would not leak into the van.

The cables go down the outside of the canvas