Semi Flexi Solar Panels Back Fix Mono

[berni109]

Hi, anyone any experiance with these new type (at least to me) of solar panel?
I was thinking of getting one to put on a PVC because of the weight advantage and fitting it by bonding it directly to the roof with which ever sikaflex is most appropriate.
It will of course only be bonded to the ridges because of the corrugated nature of the roof so there might be a bit of airflow under it where the valleys are.

your thoughts please.
bern

 

[Techno]

A major consideration that I think no one considers with these is
How do you get it off if it goes faulty?

 

[Lenny HB]

A major consideration that I think no one considers with these is
How do you get it off if it goes faulty?

Stick another one on top.

 

[berni109]

Thats just what I thought. No way its coming off with sikaflex all over it.

 

[Minxy]

We went to a well known MH/camper bits & bobs supplier yesterday for a couple of worktop hinge/support brackets and whilst there asked about some bits for our flexi solar panel including what to stick it on with, they do their own version of Sikaflex but being an ex-plumber he suggested a good clear silicone sealant instead as a fraction of the cost. Thoughts?

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[Techno]

Silicone is not an adhesive

 

[Minxy]

Silicone is not an adhesive

That's my thinking too! It may be okay to stick something to a tile/seal round the edges in a bathroom etc but I don't think I'd trust it on top of a MH/PVC!!!

 

[Lenny HB]

I disagree with Andy as I sell a pure silicon that is classed as a sealant and an adhesive and it works very well, would I use it to fit a solar panel - No way.

 

[Techno]

Ok I'll revise it to not a substantial enough adhesive

 

[berni109]

OK so we have decided what to stick it down with.
Any idea as to durability? or have this type not been around long enough to know the answer to the question yet.
I suppose as with any panel it either works or it doesn't. If it doesn't then just take the pain and buy another.

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[Techno]

I would just stick the edges where it crosses the ribs

 

[wizzer59]

It actually should work better stuck to the ribs (Cooling airflow) and should be easier to remove as well in my humble opinion you do not need to use much Sikaflex to achieve a good bond, however it will be easier to get off if the bead is 2-4mm thick

 

[wizzer59]

OK so we have decided what to stick it down with.
Any idea as to durability? or have this type not been around long enough to know the answer to the question yet.
I suppose as with any panel it either works or it doesn't. If it doesn't then just take the pain and buy another.

I have two on my Van since last year, that are working well but as for durability we will just have to see

 

[ivorantony]

A major consideration that I think no one considers with these is
How do you get it off if it goes faulty?

Very easy!
I needed to move one of mine to make extra room for a additional one I wanted to fit,
I used a metal spatula that you use for sculpture/palette painting,
Sharpen one side and tip, Then all you need to do is slide the palette knife into the bead of sikaflex and slowly rotate using the side of the panel as leverage, to remove my 100W panel took about 10mins, then a equal amount to clean up the surface,

 

[Stroppy Bird]

I've googled and found this

https://www.flickr.com/photos/antonysmith1974/7307360536/in/photostream/

There's a couple more pictures if you scroll back and forwards.

I really need a trip down to the weighbridge first though before I decide on solar options, though the semi flexi panels are a consideration.

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[rolly3]

I'm in the same position of wanting to fit solar panels to a PVC and have also considered semi-flexibles.

I spoke to RoadPro in early March about their semi-flexibles, but was told that they'd had reliability problems with them and that they were awaiting delivery of a different type (called 'SunFlex') which they expected to not suffer the same problems. IIRC they hadn't absolutely determined the cause of the problems, but suspected that continual flexing of the panels was causing cracking within individual cells. I don't know if the problems they've seen have been restricted to PVCs (I didn't ask), but I would think that installing on the flat surface of a coachbuilt would probably give the panels a much easier life.

I then spoke to a different person at RoadPro in early April about their new 'SunFlex' panels (Broken Link Removed) but was told that they definitely didn't recommend even these new type be fitted to a PVC.

I still see some definite advantages of semi-flexibles over rigids (much lighter, easy DIY, tidier, less holes in the roof!), but at the end of the day rigid panels are well-tried technology and, for me personally, that's an important consideration.

I'm close to committing to rigids (hopefully this week) - but there's still time to change my mind!

 

[berni109]

Thanks for all of the input.
I think that i am going to risk it and go for the semi flexi panel bonded direct to the roof with sikaflex.
Only time will tell if this is a wise decision.