Backing and supporting 'hanging' semiflexible solar panels

[Pete7]

Why rigid? The aluminium frames are sharp and can damage the GRP. Our semi flexible are fine with no extra frame, much lighter and the panels won’t damage the boat, or the rubber dinghy ours often sits in. My view is keep simple and no frame.

Also the woodwork down below if the panels are stored below. We had a 60w suitcase panel but even being careful you would catch the woodwork lifting it up and down the companion way.

Pete

 

[pcatterall]

Why rigid? The aluminium frames are sharp and can damage the GRP. Our semi flexible are fine with no extra frame, much lighter and the panels won’t damage the boat, or the rubber dinghy ours often sits in. My view is keep simple and no frame.

In my own case one position that I fancy is hanging on the top guard wire, I would like to be able to prop them out a bit when the sun is higher. One thought was to have some aluminium angle at the sides which would allow me to prop them out on legs using the lower wire. I thought that a bit of stiffness could be an advantage there. flat on the after deck could also be useful or flat on the sunny side of the coach roof, in those cases the frame would be a hindrance of course. Perhaps it should be no frame and just hang off the wires when the sun is low and chuck em flat somewhere when the sun gets high!

 

[yotter]

I bought semi rigid for the reasons stated by Dunedin, did not want sharp edges damaging the gelcoat or woodwork below when being stored. One is pretty rigid since the backing is aluminium. The plywood is quite smooth and has been varnished to avoid delamination, which happened to the mark 1 version.
Angus

 

[wiggy]

Here is my setup, 100W panel with a carabiner at each top corner and notched legs from broom handles , the sail ties are used to secure the legs to the guard wires