A tip for solar panel roof installation

[traveltrailertyler]

I have a brief tip to share that I have proven effective through several months of trial.

I have a fiberglass service body that slides into an eight foot bed. It's a one-piece shell by BrandFX and my wife and I converted it into a sleeper camper. There was a roof rack on top when I purchased it and several holes in the roof because of it. I filled the holes but didn't want to drill more when affixing my solar panel.

I bought a 50 watt semi-flexible panel from Rich Solar on Amazon (monocrystalline) and a section of aluminum U channel from Home Depot. The panel has eyelets at the four corners for attaching with screws, so I cut the aluminum to length, screwed the panel to two channels, and simply glued the channels to the gelcoat on the roof with a generous bead of Loctite PL marine sealant.

I was very skeptical about the hold but after many windstorms and highway miles, there has been zero movement. The marine sealant is great for leaks but also as an adhesive.

I wanted to share that with those thinking about using fasteners on the roof. This is an awesome alternative.

[ZachO]

Thanks.

How does the glue compare to VHB tape? In terms of strength and how hard to remove when you need to?

There are plenty of debates about VHB vs bolting through the roof. Main argument is that while the VHB to gelcoat or fiberglass bond may never break, the gelcoat/fiberglass itself can peel and break free. It’s happened on Escape trailers when they were installed that way.

Having said all that, my rigid panels are on my roof with just VHB tape.

[traveltrailertyler]

I have never dealt with the tape so I couldn't say. I think the Loctite could be scraped off fairly easily if need be. But as with all semi-permanent bonds, I would expect a little damage to the gelcoat if I tried. Beats holes in the roof, though!

[Radar1]

When I added a panel to my Scamp roof I fabricated some angle aluminum into 4 individual pieces, used VHB tape under them, and then used an existing hole above the front bath support to add one extra mechanical tiedown point, just in case.