Solar Panel Mounting

[Eire32]

Hey everyone

What are you guys doing for mounting solar panels?
Using rigid frames , or these new carpet mat style solar panels?

I have a briefcase style RedArc 190W, its great, but Im not forking out over a grand for another one. I bought a rigid solar panel with the trailer when I purchased it. They didnt mount it and of course it doesnt fit in it. So I was thinking of mounting on the roof of the trailer, but like others I dont want to drill holes.

The roof is fiberglass, and the solar panel is aluminum. I have watched people on youtube use 3M VHB tape, and cover it with an RV Ethernabond tape. And others mention 3M 5200.

But without a mechanical connection im just concerned this thing may come off on a highway and hit another car etc, of course I dont want that.
So what have you all been doing, successfully, has the above methods failed for you?

I am thinking the roof is the most ideal place, I was considering the mat style panel just in case it was to come off, its more like a carpet than a potentially dangerous object, but I am seeing a lot of full time RV people just using VHB tape or 5200 ......

 

[SWCruiser]

I had the rigid panels and thought they were too heavy. I since went to more of a mat style. I used a 1/2 aluminum channel and secured the mat to that in the front and back. Those were secured to the roof of my truck with magnetic pucks with bolts that protrude up. If mounting to fiberglass I would fiberglass some mounting point on the corners and then use some sort of adhesive tape. I think the high end tapes will secure it fine as well as some of the adhesive/sealants but a mechanical connection is also good piece of mind.

 

[RuggedOverland]

I dont know if I would trust the tape alone with that panel.

On our Yukon XL we went with a Cascadia 4x4 hood panel that has been great for the last few years with no issue and is only attached via 3M VHB.

Going with something like this would be a bit cleaner and better for the application 100 Watt Universal Solar Panel | RTT, RV, Camper | Cascadia 4x4 - https://www.cascadia4x4.com/collections/rv-roof-rack-rtt-vss-system-top-tent-solar-panels/products/100-watt-universal-solar-panel-vss-system-rtt-camper-rv

Just my .02

 

[Shoredreamer]

The shop I work for sells and installs various flexible solar panels that utilize adhesive backing to secure to various surfaces. Let me know if you want any specs and pricing. I have various sizes in stock.

 

[e9999]

Personally, I would not worry too much about drilling some holes in a fiberglass roof. It's not like it's very difficult to seal them off properly with goop. And, yes, the idea of some glued panel flying off and hitting a minivan with kids is way up there on my mind.

 

[renago]

I have a flexible SP glued on top of my roof .
They used a sheet of 3M VHB biadesive , that covers all the SP .
Impossible that it gets detached from the roof .
100%safe,
If I ever meant to take it off , I most likely will destroy the SP .

 

[MANUCHAO]

I installed a solar panel from custom marine products.
it is glued on with SikaFlex 221

 

[renago]

SP 180 W