Solar panel bonding?

[ian27]

can I ask a tiny diversion question - what brackets do people use? their are the obvious plastic corner ones sold everywhere but they go yellow over time and don't look that elegant. I am wondering about using simple 50x50x3mm aluminium angle https://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk/products/50-mm-x-50-mm-x-3-mm-aluminium-angle . Bonded on horizontal part to the roof - coachbuilt in my case - with 3mm lift from spacers, and bolted (bolt, washer, frame, washer, spring washer, nyloc) on the vertical part to the panels frame ?

 

[treblid]

and bolted (bolt, washer, frame, washer, spring washer, nyloc) on the vertical part to the panels frame ?

Just be aware that the vertical side of a solar panel frame is often hollow and twin skinned. Tightening the bolts crushes the frame. In some cases I have seen it distort the top edge of this side extrusion which in turn can damage the seal to the solar panel substrate with subsequent water ingress.

I used two different sizes of angle aluminium together to make the bracket. The panel sits on the smaller aluminium angle and bolts through the pre pressed slots in the bottom mounting edge.

 

[Richard n Ann]

can I ask a tiny diversion question - what brackets do people use? their are the obvious plastic corner ones sold everywhere but they go yellow over time and don't look that elegant. I am wondering about using simple 50x50x3mm aluminium angle https://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk/products/50-mm-x-50-mm-x-3-mm-aluminium-angle . Bonded on horizontal part to the roof - coachbuilt in my case - with 3mm lift from spacers, and bolted (bolt, washer, frame, washer, spring washer, nyloc) on the vertical part to the panels frame ?

I used aluminum channel screwed and bonded down, then you can attach anything to it by Zebs and bolts. I ended up attaching removable pin hinges to both sides so the panel can be tilted either forwards or backwards.

Also when the panel is knackered it's just a case of fastening a new one to the channel

 

[ian27]

........I used two different sizes of angle aluminium together to make the bracket. The panel sits on the smaller aluminium angle and bolts through the pre pressed slots in the bottom mounting edge.

thanks for the tip, I'm afraid I don't quite understand your explanation of your solution. any chance of a photo, or back of envelope sketch? Is it better to use self-tapping screws rather than a through bolt ?

I was working on the basis that people sell this kind of thing https://nohma.com/product/solar-panel-brackets-4pack/ as a solution, and thats silly money for what it is, given that aluminium angle is a commodity and easy to work with.

 

[treblid]

thanks for the tip, I'm afraid I don't quite understand your explanation of your solution. any chance of a photo, or back of envelope sketch? Is it better to use self-tapping screws rather than a through bolt ?

I was working on the basis that people sell this kind of thing https://nohma.com/product/solar-panel-brackets-4pack/ as a solution, and thats silly money for what it is, given that aluminium angle is a commodity and easy to work with.

Here are a couple of photos. I used full width aerofoil brackets front and back. These side brackets are just 'belts and braces'.

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[treblid]

Is it better to use self-tapping screws

Just to add I did put 2 small stainless self tapers in the side of the brackets as well (seen at the top in the photo below) but that was to keep the brackets at 90 degrees to the sides. Not load bearing.

 

[agb83]

Thanks for all the advice. I mounted 3 x 215w VE panels a few weeks back. In the end I used sika a 3mm bead of 291i - aided by tile spacers. Brackets were 50x50 aluminium angle - full length on the front and rear facing edges of the panels + c50cm supports each side of each panel. Proper cleaning of the roof, followed by light scuffing of the mounting surface, and dry fitting first were all good shouts. In the end I didn’t use sika activator. I’ve used the van a few times since and have checked the panels. So far (and touch wood) they’re rock solid…