Snowgoose-1
Well-Known Member
Rose about one and half inches.
Wondering what brackets folks use. Only 25w panel. Thankyou.
Wondering what brackets folks use. Only 25w panel. Thankyou.
Rigid solar panel on curved deck
- Thread starter Snowgoose-1
- Start date
Dunx
Well-Known Member
Not done it myself but I’ve seen panels mounted using stainless steel hinges which allow for the curvature of the deck.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Does it need to be a rigid panel? At that small size a semi flexible panel might be a better option, and avoid brackets and raised edges to catch toes, ropes etc. Neater looking also.
coopec
N/A
You a re supposed to leave a gap between the panel and the deck to allow some cooling air flow (but I suppose over-heating wouldn't be a problem in the UK)
Snowgoose-1
Well-Known Member
Had a number of flexible panels but they seem to de laminate after couple seasons . Perhaps they are better now or I need to pay more money.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Just thinking about replacing 6 year old Photonic Universe panels that have been seriously mistreated on the sprayhood but still charging well.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Masses of boats have deck mounted panels from new, which seem to work OK. Ours are on industrial Velcro which leaves a gap of around 8mm and seem fine.You a re supposed to leave a gap between the panel and the deck to allow some cooling air flow (but I suppose over-heating wouldn't be a problem in the UK)
yegaya67
New Member
Do this all the time at my work. Lots of solar panels flat about 5foot by 3foot that sit 2 or 3 inches off the roof. Usually I install them near the acs or fridge vents to help guide wires down below. You can buy adapters that connect solar panels together then plug them into your solar controller.
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Probably bigger than 25W panels though, and few foot or rope hazards on a house roof
Stemar
Well-Known Member
I made up a frame for my panels out of angle ally from Metal Supermarkets and pop rivets. Simple and not dear. I did the same on the old boat, though for much smaller panels and it was still going strong when I sold the boat after about 8 years.
rotrax
Well-Known Member
Our pilothouse roof is curved. Our two 200W rigid jobs, each 1 metre square are mounted with 6mm S/S screws spaced with 15mm speedfit plumbing tube. Two long, two short. This follows the roofline and allows water to run away.
If I could not have accessed the underside of the pilothouse roof I would have had the studs welded to plates and then secured them with adhesive or, as dunedin suggests, industrial velcro.
If I could not have accessed the underside of the pilothouse roof I would have had the studs welded to plates and then secured them with adhesive or, as dunedin suggests, industrial velcro.
coopec
N/A
dunedin
Well-Known Member
Seems a bit of an odd and confused article - suggests the “dark colour” of solar panels is an issue. Well, er, the solar panels all seem to be black as part of how they are made to generate power!
And they benefit from a good controller - granny and eggs stuff.
William_H
Well-Known Member
Question for OP regards the concern re ropes etc getting caught in the raised edges of the panel. If this is not a concern then any sheet metal bracket on each low side will support the panel. If however there is a concern re ropes etc then the gap sides need to be filled to stop ropes getting under. This could be done with tricky metal work or perhaps grp design of a box shaped under neath to match roof shape and flat on top to match panel. I would not worry re overheating in UK. Overheat merely reduces output and does not damage panel. ol'will
coopec
N/A
I don't know! (Can't argue)
"As you may have noticed, the majority of solar panels are a dark blue or black color. Monocrystalline solar cells are mostly black, gray, or blue, while polycrystalline solar cells are almost always blue."2 Nov 2021
What Impact Do Colored Solar Panels Have on Performance?