Does this sound reasonable about getting solar fitted...

[Steve_an_Nik]

Want to get solar fitted so ask about getting some fitted.... said that wanted it to charge both leisure and vehicle, use it mainly for TV when off grid they came back with this...

Thank you for your enquiry.
There are several options depending on preference and budget. The larger power would generally come from a rigid panel which could be up to 400 watts. However the fitting would include mounting brackets that are glued and screwed to the roof. Some people prefer semi flexible panels which are glued on the roof but this costs more money. Our experience is that the performance is not as good during summer when the panels get hot. To give you an idea of supply and fit including vat for budget purposes I would allow £1200 for semi flexible which includes 3 x100 watt panels or £800 for 1 x 380 – 400 watt rigid panel.

Does this seem reasonable or should I shop around some more.

Many thanks in advance

 

[Tombola]

I will just add my opinion of fixing those plastic corner mounts. The really do not adhere well to most of the common adhesives in use. I have known several, where the panels were removed and one or two mounting brackets were found to be just sitting there. In other words the panel was holding them in position. Far better to use angled alloy sections.

Geoff

I had one solar panel hanging half of my roof doing 60 down attached with just the cable on the A6 France last year. It didnt quite tip over the edge thanks to getting stuck under my roof vent.

Id roughed up the surfaces, used the silka 205 cleaner blah blah.
I was on a motorway aire removing the other panel, and it came off as if it was stuck with chewing gum. Adhered to the van ok, but "popped" off the plastic brackets

 

[donkey]

I had one solar panel hanging half of my roof doing 60 down attached with just the cable on the A6 France last year. It didnt quite tip over the edge thanks to getting stuck under my roof vent.

Id roughed up the surfaces, used the silka 205 cleaner blah blah.
I was on a motorway aire removing the other panel, and it came off as if it was stuck with chewing gum. Adhered to the van ok, but "popped" off the plastic brackets

I have eight corners and two sides in my shed if anyone wants them. I will never use them.

 

[Stealaway]

The solar panel fitted by Burstner has two ends stuck down and two aluminium angles screwed into the panel and the roof.
I've done the same with the extra one I've fitted.
It might be belt and braces but two well sealed self tapping screws won't cause any problems and those panels are not going to fly off ever.

 

[stuartholmes]

Even more impressive when you see this:

How I get up on my roof..

Some people on here have met me and know how I get around, some ask how do I do things and this shows you how compromise and a little determination gets you there in the end, today I put two 200w panels on the roof, and I don’t mind telling you I am knackerd up and down several times and once up...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Wow that's amazing, totally inspirational of course so thanks very much for sharing it.
I am NOT going to try that at home, or anywhere else ☺

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[GMLS]

This will give you a good idea on compatible prices.

Campervan & Motorhome Solar Panels Fitted. AWS Approved Installers.

Solar panels for motorhomes, campervans & caravans fitted in the South East. AWS approved workshop. Contact us today for a free quote and expert advice.

www.motorhomeworkshop.co.uk

 

[peterc10]

As a price check I have just fitted an additional 2 x 100W solar panels onto our motorhome. The total cost of materials, including panels, Victron regulator, ally angle, Sikaflex 291i adhesive, new cables from the panels to the batteries and other sundry bits and pieces came to about £425. The most expensive items were the panels at £99 each and the Victron regulator which was £93.

I could have bought cheaper panels and regulator but decided not to. It took me a lot longer time than a professional would have, but I put that down to my old age which slows me down specially when going up and down a ladder. I enjoyed doing it and I know that I did not take any cheap shortcuts.

 

[Clive Beeza]

There is no need to screw anything into the roof. We use 50 x 50 aluminum angle pop riveted to the panel and then stuck down with PU adhesive. We did it ourselves that way in our previous motorhome and had no problems. When we bought our present motorhome we did a deal with the dealer and they stuck 2 panels on the roof down and they have lasted over 7 years and 48,000 miles. Just stuck another couple ot 100W panels down using Sikaflex 291i

did exactly the same, and 15 years later still no issues,
Sikaflex is excellent, the only thing I would add is that
if two holes are drilled (6-8mm) in the angle bracket,
as the bracket is pressed into the Sikaflex, (to within 2-3mm of the roof surface)
the sealer oozing through the drilled holes can be spread over the top of bracket,
and you can add another blob, and form a mushroom shape button out of the sealer
is as secure as having bracket screwed to the roof.

 

[JamesT@Dundee]

Want to get solar fitted so ask about getting some fitted.... said that wanted it to charge both leisure and vehicle, use it mainly for TV when off grid they came back with this...

Thank you for your enquiry.
There are several options depending on preference and budget. The larger power would generally come from a rigid panel which could be up to 400 watts. However the fitting would include mounting brackets that are glued and screwed to the roof. Some people prefer semi flexible panels which are glued on the roof but this costs more money. Our experience is that the performance is not as good during summer when the panels get hot. To give you an idea of supply and fit including vat for budget purposes I would allow £1200 for semi flexible which includes 3 x100 watt panels or £800 for 1 x 380 – 400 watt rigid panel.

Does this seem reasonable or should I shop around some more.

Many thanks in advance

Worth checking pricing on this site: https://climbingvan.co.uk/product-category/electrical-system/solar/solar-panels/
They have some excellent articles about solar panel selection and other aspects (controllers, batteries etc.).

Campervan electrical system guide | Climbingvan

Our campervan electrical system guide is a hub of information. It contains usfeul articles, guides and resources all about camper electrics.

climbingvan.co.uk

Though intended for those converting their own vans still relevant to those of us looking to add / extend solar.

 

[peterc10]

If you are screwing into the roof all you are doing it attaching a small self tapper to a very thin aluminium skin. In our case we also have a skin of GRP bonded on top of the aluminium skin, to mitigate any hail damage. Self tappers into GRP or thin aluminium, or even both, are not going to offer much resistance from an upward load, and they will only add miniscule resistance when compared with modern PU adhesives properly applied.

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[daash]

Any installer/supplier that offers flexable panels or a single 400 watt panel I would run a mile from. Sounds like they don't have a clue about Motorhomes.

What's the reasoning behind not fitting a large single panel? Is it for failsafe and safety?
The max space on my roof was quite limited so I fitted the largest panel I could, 300W. It was that or 2 X 100W panels and I wanted as much solar as possible.

 

[Just smiffy]

As a price check I have just fitted an additional 2 x 100W solar panels onto our motorhome. The total cost of materials, including panels, Victron regulator, ally angle, Sikaflex 291i adhesive, new cables from the panels to the batteries and other sundry bits and pieces came to about £425. The most expensive items were the panels at £99 each and the Victron regulator which was £93.

I could have bought cheaper panels and regulator but decided not to. It took me a lot longer time than a professional would have, but I put that down to my old age which slows me down specially when going up and down a ladder. I enjoyed doing it and I know that I did not take any cheap shortcuts.

Likewise Peter, self satisfaction and a certain reassurance knowing that what’s on your roof is entirely down to you, the care and attention to detail to get things right puts a smile on your face while enjoying the van…

 

[Garry - June]

If you are installing panels on to a flat roof then forget those flimsy plastic mounts...get the full width aero mounts..these have great advantages..firstly they give a very large contact area so just using adhesive is fine..secondly if and when required the whole panel can simply be slid out from the mounts after releasing a couple of screws which is handy for cleaning/maintenance.

 

[dorkins]

These are really good, drill the contact area with the roof with a few holes which will allow the sealant to " mushroom" up through the holes for a bit of added strength.

Amazon product ASIN B09K6FB5RH

 

[Tombola]

As a price check I have just fitted an additional 2 x 100W solar panels onto our motorhome. The total cost of materials, including panels, Victron regulator, ally angle, Sikaflex 291i adhesive, new cables from the panels to the batteries and other sundry bits and pieces came to about £425. The most expensive items were the panels at £99 each and the Victron regulator which was £93.

I could have bought cheaper panels and regulator but decided not to. It took me a lot longer time than a professional would have, but I put that down to my old age which slows me down specially when going up and down a ladder. I enjoyed doing it and I know that I did not take any cheap shortcuts.

I almost used slika 291i once till conwy campers told me it was for interior use ?
went with 554

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[peterc10]

I almost used slika 291i once till conwy campers told me it was for interior use ?
went with 554

Oh dear, how wrong could they possibly be? According to Sika, Sikaflex 291i is a "multifunctional adhesive sealant for marine applications". Used for sticking down and sealing hatches, cleats, rubbing strakes etc. Designed for materials used in marine environments including aluminium and GRP, which were the two strata I was joining.

And Conwy has a marina too

 

[Don Campbell]

Any installer/supplier that offers flexable panels or a single 400 watt panel I would run a mile from. Sounds like they don't have a clue about Motorhomes.

I was going to say exactly the same thing as Lenny. An air gap is essential or it will cook itself and if they want to screw through the roof I think you will also get screwed, because they don't know enough about the adhesives available either.

 

[Reallyretired]

I know there is no way a single 380w panel would go on my roof. Four100w panels would though.

 

[huck999]

We have 2x200w flexi's on the roof mounted on corrugated plastic sheet and stuck down with gorilla patch tape. Been in 40c heat with no problems and no worries about motorway air flow. 3 years on still getting 180w per on a sunny day.

 

[Tombola]

Oh dear, how wrong could they possibly be? According to Sika, Sikaflex 291i is a "multifunctional adhesive sealant for marine applications". Used for sticking down and sealing hatches, cleats, rubbing strakes etc. Designed for materials used in marine environments including aluminium and GRP, which were the two strata I was joining.

And Conwy has a marina too

Curiosity got the better of me...I can see why they said it I spose. Mentions interior sealing twice.
Probably just letting folk know its not JUST external gets more sales

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[Coolcats]

Want to get solar fitted so ask about getting some fitted.... said that wanted it to charge both leisure and vehicle, use it mainly for TV when off grid they came back with this...

Thank you for your enquiry.
There are several options depending on preference and budget. The larger power would generally come from a rigid panel which could be up to 400 watts. However the fitting would include mounting brackets that are glued and screwed to the roof. Some people prefer semi flexible panels which are glued on the roof but this costs more money. Our experience is that the performance is not as good during summer when the panels get hot. To give you an idea of supply and fit including vat for budget purposes I would allow £1200 for semi flexible which includes 3 x100 watt panels or £800 for 1 x 380 – 400 watt rigid panel.

Does this seem reasonable or should I shop around some more.

Many thanks in advance

Trina 385 W panel is £180 inc vat

 

[Coolcats]

Apparently lots of car bits are 'glued' on. It's also how windscreens are secured, I've never seen one come out yet with vibrations or even collisions, even with force being applied from the inside .....

That made me chuckle a work colleague's daughter kicked a windscreen out whilst arguing with her Dad.....

I do agree though there are lots of cars or trailers held together with glue or tape

 

[Lenny HB]

Trina 385 W panel is £180 inc vat

Minimum order 5 prices and out of stock.

 

[monzer]

I had one solar panel hanging half of my roof doing 60 down attached with just the cable on the A6 France last year. It didnt quite tip over the edge thanks to getting stuck under my roof vent.

Id roughed up the surfaces, used the silka 205 cleaner blah blah.
I was on a motorway aire removing the other panel, and it came off as if it was stuck with chewing gum. Adhered to the van ok, but "popped" off the plastic brackets

Surely it's easy enough to screw or bolt the panel to the mounts? Just the mounts to roof that can be stuck without screws.

 

[Raul]

I know there is no way a single 380w panel would go on my roof. Four100w panels would though.

I have two 300w on my roof, and put them up after wife passed them to me. What’s the fuss? Four panels is four connection points. Two is half that, half the chance of failure. Plus, the 300w are robust industrial accredited panels with 20 year 12% degradation. The leisure 100w has none of that.
There is positive caveats with large accredited panels, just a thought.

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[Tombola]

Surely it's easy enough to screw or bolt the panel to the mounts? Just the mounts to roof that can be stuck without screws.

Yes bolts to the mounts. Mounts failed on roof.

I'm a screwer and gluer now

 

[The_Kraken]

Damn it you lot! Now my brand new solar panel install is making me nervous. Even though I’ve roughed up the plastic mounts, sanded the roof and drilled the plastic brackets too - plenty of sikaflex 522 on, didn’t push it way down to squeeze all the sealant out and got mushrooms up through the holes!

so, first time out next weekend. Will keep an eye out on it. Then I’ll scrape it off and change to Ali angle. I’m assuming that the sikaflex bonds better to the Ali angle and the plastic brackets are just too shiny?

 

[Coolcats]

Minimum order 5 prices and out of stock.

I just gave it as an example my guess is all stores run out of stock

How about a Trinia 415W for £189 inc VAT for 1 panel...even better value

 

[dash300]

If you are screwing into the roof all you are doing it attaching a small self tapper to a very thin aluminium skin. In our case we also have a skin of GRP bonded on top of the aluminium skin, to mitigate any hail damage. Self tappers into GRP or thin aluminium, or even both, are not going to offer much resistance from an upward load, and they will only add miniscule resistance when compared with modern PU adhesives properly applied.

Yes you make a good point with reference to thin ally and grp roof material for self tappers. For PVC's the steel is more than a suitable substrate for self tappers. For the ally and grp I would suggest these.....

CARAVAN CAVITY FIXING RUBBER GROMMET SCREW & WASHER - PACK OF 2 | eBay

2 x Caravan Tail Light Cluster Fixing Screw &. Just place rubber fixing in hole. Screw Size. 2 x M4 Washer. Fit light and insert the screw, tighten so light is secure, but, do not over tighten. Rubber Size.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[monzer]

Damn it you lot! Now my brand new solar panel install is making me nervous. Even though I’ve roughed up the plastic mounts, sanded the roof and drilled the plastic brackets too - plenty of sikaflex 522 on, didn’t push it way down to squeeze all the sealant out and got mushrooms up through the holes!

so, first time out next weekend. Will keep an eye out on it. Then I’ll scrape it off and change to Ali angle. I’m assuming that the sikaflex bonds better to the Ali angle and the plastic brackets are just too shiny?

I wouldn't go tearing it off quite yet. If you go up on the roof and try pulling it off you'll see how strong a hold it has. I've got mine stuck down and no sign of it failing.

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[Tombola]

Damn it you lot! Now my brand new solar panel install is making me nervous. Even though I’ve roughed up the plastic mounts, sanded the roof and drilled the plastic brackets too - plenty of sikaflex 522 on, didn’t push it way down to squeeze all the sealant out and got mushrooms up through the holes!

so, first time out next weekend. Will keep an eye out on it. Then I’ll scrape it off and change to Ali angle. I’m assuming that the sikaflex bonds better to the Ali angle and the plastic brackets are just too shiny?

Possibly ok. Give em a check after some miles I'd say. Or put a screw through them and the roof if you're sure no cables etc in the way.