Solar panels that can support weight (1 Viewer)

[farpolemiddle]

I am looking to put a permanent solar panel on my front roof rack but I still want to put stuff on it occasionally. Are there any solar panels I can put stuff like firewood on or strap a small tough box to? I understand I would not be getting juice while it is covered.

 

[george_tlc]

Just put a sheet of plywood (or similar) over the panel before you load stuff on top. The decent ones will have tempered glass, so they are tough, the plywood would protect/distribute from point loads.

cheers,
george.

 

[LAMBCRUSHER]

I can't find the pics, but I have seen a few times where a flock of deer used one of the ground mounts we installed as a ramp for the fence. those panels got lucky the little reindeer feet didn't crack the glass/the weight isn't as much an issue as hard things scoring/scratching/cracking the glass. Think Pounds per square foot...support the panel well, spread the load and cover with a padded material and you'll be fine

 

[Hedgepig]

take a look at flexible solar panels - not glass finished - these you can bend to fit across rounded roofs and are used by yacht owners - you can 'walk' on these in soft shoes. However, they do need support underneath - ie a firm surface throughout - as they have little strength in themselves. On a roof rack you would need plywood underneath.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

take a look at flexible solar panels - not glass finished - these you can bend to fit across rounded roofs and are used by yacht owners - you can 'walk' on these in soft shoes. However, they do need support underneath - ie a firm surface throughout - as they have little strength in themselves. On a roof rack you would need plywood underneath.

I have a flexible panel on top of my CampTeq and it takes tons of abuse and weight. I treat it like a solid surface with no problems after a couple years.