Unsupported tolerance of a semi flexible solar panel.

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jonjo

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I appreciate that semi flexible solar panels are typically glued and screwed down onto a deck or cabin top however I am mulling over an edge case mounting option.

Given a 50w panel measuring 100cm x 28cm. If this was supported around its whole outer border on a 1" lip would the unsupported middle section sag or flex to a damaging degree if a little wind caught the underside? There would be zero risk of someone stepping on the panel.
 
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I have the a 100w semi and it does say a bit (1cm) when held by its four corners only.

I would worry about a permenant mounting due to stress flexing.

The idea of creating your own frame from wickes Ali is a good one.
 
gregcope said:
I have the a 100w semi and it does say a bit (1cm) when held by its four corners only.

I would worry about a permenant mounting due to stress flexing.
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Actually this is encouraging since my panel would be half the size and well supported around the whole of the rectangular boundary. The mounting would be semi permanent i.e. the panel would be stored below decks if I expect to be away from the boat for more than a week.
 
ghostlymoron said:
Why don't you get a rigid panel?
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Weight.

About a 15Kg difference for 300 watts in total. A Solent welding pro mentioned £4k for a substantial 2" tube solar/radar arch that would be a drop-in replacement for my current pushpit.

So I am now investigating a much lighter arch made from 1" stainless tube that attaches onto the pushpit. Ok so not a robust blue water solution but then I am not a bluewater yachtsman. The idea was inspired by another coastal yacht I got into a conversation with in Yarmouth, in settled weather they leave their binimi frame errected sans fabric with a solar panel tied on. We coastal sailors are just looking for a few days of offgrid power.
 
My boat overwinters with five 20 watt rigid panels fitted to a frame made from 40x30mm aluminium tube held on the bimini frame by U bolts. The frame is quite strong enough, and I am also looking at fitting an arch from the pushpit to hold the frame above the bimini. If I had flexible panels I would consider just tying them onto the bimini for summer use.
 
jonjo5 said:
Actually this is encouraging since my panel would be half the size and well supported around the whole of the rectangular boundary. The mounting would be semi permanent i.e. the panel would be stored below decks if I expect to be away from the boat for more than a week.
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Check the flex / sag in wind / rain and I think you are good to go.

Not sure it would survive the recent storm, so as long as you remove it when not around/blowing old boots think you will be fine!
 
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