Semi flex solar panel. Screw or bond?

[potentillaCO32]

Pretty much as per the title. I am fitting a photonic universe 60w semi flexible solar panel. The destructions say I can screw, or bolt I guess, it down, or bond it.

I'm in 2 minds. Bonding would be a more consistant way of keeping it on the deck from a stress point of view and less holes in the boat. But would be a right mess if ever it had to be replaced.

Any views amongst the wise and not so wise

 

[thinwater]

Pretty much as per the title. I am fitting a photonic universe 60w semi flexible solar panel. The destructions say I can screw, or bolt I guess, it down, or bond it.

I'm in 2 minds. Bonding would be a more consistant way of keeping it on the deck from a stress point of view and less holes in the boat. But would be a right mess if ever it had to be replaced.

Any views amongst the wise and not so wise

It will have to be replaced. Not if. But 10-15 years if good quality. Unless it gets hit with a hail stone or anchor next week.

I'm in the screw/bolt camp, and I have replaced panels. Either way. Pealing up a huge bead/patch of polyurethane sounds ugly, but the replacement panel is probably over it. Seal/epoxy/redrill the hole if you use screws. You're going to have to deal with a wire pass through anyway.

If you bond you will obviously have to hold it in place with weights and tape (it will want to slide) while it cures.

 

[KompetentKrew]

I've found PU adhesive (Sikafix) to come off relatively nicely on smooth surfaces. Have to use a good scraper.

I have 3 small flexible solar panels secured like this since I owned the boat which are due for removal, but Sikafix is what I will use in due corse to secure their replacements (and maybe a couple more).

 

[Sea Change]

You will eventually have to replace it. I'm not a big fan of flexi panels.
A self tapper in each corner is likely to be the easiest fixing method, that's what I did with mine.
Even easier is a rigid panel with some bungee to secure it down to a couple of lacing hooks. And then you won't have to replace it...

 

[dunedin]

…..
Even easier is a rigid panel with some bungee to secure it down to a couple of lacing hooks. And then you won't have to replace it...

But you might have to replace your skin, knees etc - and a rope may get caught underneath it, and generally can’t walk over a fixed panel.
Fixed panels are flat and sharp edged, whereas decks are generally rounded.
Our semi flex panels are attached to 50mm wide industrial Velcro which holds firm, even in F10+, but can be removed carefully when necessary.

 

[ithet]

Pretty much as per the title. I am fitting a photonic universe 60w semi flexible solar panel. The destructions say I can screw, or bolt I guess, it down, or bond it.

I'm in 2 minds. Bonding would be a more consistant way of keeping it on the deck from a stress point of view and less holes in the boat. But would be a right mess if ever it had to be replaced.

Any views amongst the wise and not so wise

Neither! I have this exact panel and it fixed with 6 pairs of pieces of 25mm 3m double hook tape, each 50mm long. This is not to be confused with velcro - it is much much stronger and has a special waterproof adhesive. I'm six seasons it has not moved.

Edit: It's 3m double lock VHB tape. That last is important as it refers to the exterior grade adhesive.

 

[potentillaCO32]

Neither! I have this exact panel and it fixed with 6 pairs of pieces of 25mm 3m double hook tape, each 50mm long. This is not to be confused with velcro - it is much much stronger and has a special waterproof adhesive. I'm six seasons it has not moved.

Edit: It's 3m double lock VHB tape. That last is important as it refers to the exterior grade adhesive.

Is it strong enough adhesive and hold to hold a curve in the panel?

 

[ithet]

These Photonic Universe semi flex panels are actually quite stiff, they can't be taken around much of a curve.

 

[ithet]

Is it strong enough adhesive and hold to hold a curve in the panel?

These Photonic Universe semi flex panels are actually quite stiff, they can't be taken around much of a curve.

Absolutely can hold any curve you are able to make with these panels.

 

[Minerva]

I’d be avoiding screwing into the deck wherever possible.

The previous owner didn’t heed this advice and I’ve just spent a good number of weekends repairing rotten balsa core. I can tell you with some confidence that trying to glass in woven cloth under the deck, above your head in a confined forepeak is an absolute swine of a job.

 

[thinwater]

Neither! I have this exact panel and it fixed with 6 pairs of pieces of 25mm 3m double hook tape, each 50mm long. This is not to be confused with velcro - it is much much stronger and has a special waterproof adhesive. I'm six seasons it has not moved.

Edit: It's 3m double lock VHB tape. That last is important as it refers to the exterior grade adhesive.

It's called Dual Lock. Good stuff. Some of the backings (PSA) are VHB and some are more easily removed. Aged VHB generally only comes off with a heat gun or a wire, plus solvent. One of the best solutions, since replacement is easy. I've also used this for panels; about 5 years and then I sold the boat. (I kept the panels that were on with dual lock! They served for another 7 years on another boat before they crapped out.)

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/dual-lock-reclosable-fasteners-us/

 

[Hadenough]

Absolutely can hold any curve you are able to make with these panels.

Glue it. The available adhesives and double sided tapes available nowadays are amazing. I have semi flexible panels held down with double sided construction tape for ten years. No links because the options are so vast. Big advantage is that you can eliminate the air gaps created by screw or bolt fasteners. Bit of a pain getting it off whenever, but no holes to seal at first or repair thereafter.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I stick ours down with sika 291. Removal is done with a slightly flexible bread knife.

 

[Refueler]

The panel on my 38 is fixed with self tappers into the deck ...



This will be removed once winter is over and a new larger panel fitted ...

Fixing will be by same method .. short self tappers.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Do you not find that encourages water ingress? That is the reason I stick ours down.

 

[Boathook]

Stick it down. My semiflex had holes for screws in it and I stuck it down with blobs of adhesive / sealant at each hole. Worked very well and difficult to get of when I replaced it for a new one to increase charge capacity.
The less holes in the deck the better as they will leak at some time !

 

[DJA]

I bonded my two 50w semi flexible panels to two acrylic boards, I cut the board slightly longer and added lacing eyes in each corner. The whole lot is secured with shock cord tied between the cabin top grab rail and through the lacing eyes. One panel either side. I glued EPDM to the underside of the acrylic to protect the cabin top. Been in place for 3 years with no problems.

 

[Never Grumble]

I used heavy duty velcro from Screwfix, so far has lasted 3 or 4 years, so am happy with that.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I had 2 flex panels bonded to an aluminium carrier on the roof of my VW Camper ..... on the boat they were fastened to a carrier on the Bimini and were removable. On both systems after a year or so a panel failed.

The bonded panel was an utter PITA to get off .... it was under warranty so I was trying not to destroy it completely, but that is pretty much what it took to get off, and then there was the issue of removing the sika residue. Not a job I would want to repeat - if you can find a way of attaching the panels that doesn't result in water ingress (oversize holes filled and drilled for screws) then I'd go that way - or don't use much adhesive - I was worried about losing panels on a German autobahn so perhaps overdid it a bit with the sika.

 

[Sea Change]

Do you not find that encourages water ingress? That is the reason I stick ours down.

It depends on the details.
My flexis were on the hatch garage, no core. Also the surface had been painted by a previous owner so I didn't want to rely on sticking them down.