I just bought a 100Watt PV panel and was curious how this is done. I don’t want it flying off the roof when I’m going 75MPH down the freeway. I also don’t want to pay $ 100 for a few pieces of aluminum. Some of those mount prices are highway robbery! Am I supposed to put a board under the panel for strength? They seem very fragile. I’d appreciate your help. Thanks for reading.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
what kind of roof do you have? Is this a rubber (edm) roof? i’m not sure they are designed to be mounted on the outside of a moving vehicle but i could be wrong. how about making a mounting stand that can be positioned while parked and stored when moving?
you will need to sandwich them between two pieces of material, one of which is attached to the vehicle. i would recommend aluminum. most hardware stores sell strips of bare metal near the nuts and bolts area of the store. i would opt for inch and a half by eighth of an inch thick. you will need four of these and some self sealing screws, the ones that come with rubber washers.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202183523/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
Try prosolar.com There is a great system called the FastJack system It comes with a flashing and is designed to prevent leaks. There are also photovoltaic cells that are portable and fold up for storage. They might work better than ones that you have to attach to the top of an object going that fast. If you did use the fastjack, you may want to keep the installation very close to the roof and consider installing an aerodynamic wind block on the front.
If you just want to mount it flat on the roof (with a little gap under it for airflow), use the Unirac RV mounting feet for $ 20. http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Panel-Mounts-Trackers/RV-Specialty-Solar-Panel-Mounting/Unirac-990009-RV-Mounting-Feet-Set-4-U-MF-4/p3931/
The more expensive RV mounting systems allow you to tilt the panel once you are parked to increase the output, but these flat mount feet are very popular and easy to use.
Are you serious! This is so cool! I just had solar panels installed on my HOUSE roof which I am amazed how it really works. Thanks to arosaenergy.com. I never in my life saw one on a Motor Home! COOOOOOOOOOOL. I must say what they can do these days amazes me!!