Good UK brick and mortar solar shop

[Joe88]

Hi,

We're currently converting our T5 and are looking to mount some solar panels on the roof. The problem is that it already has a skylight and fan so available mounting space is quite limited. I'd like to go and look at mounting fittings in person, can anyone recommend a shop? Preferably in the midlands, but we'll happily travel.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[Phill D]

Hi and welcome

Sorry can’t help with a shop location.
A photo of the roof might help others to give you a few ideas.

 

[Tombola]

maybe have a look at others who have t5s, on forums like here and others.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Hi
Rhino installs maybe?

Solar installation/upgrade north west manchester/bolton area.

Following on from my thread yesterday, can anyone recommend someone in the manchester/ bolton area that fits / upgrade solar installations? I'm looking for a new, larger panel fitted and possibly a new controller. Van is a swift 696. Thanks in advance.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

However I suspect most installers buy in the panels and mounts to suit the customer job.

 

[Carpmart]

You’ve basically three choices with mounts. Aluminium brackets, plastic corner brackets or a roof rack frame. A frame would potentially give you headroom to mount over other roof furniture already in place.

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[Lenny HB]

We have a couple of Funsters who have a business selling solar panels and all the other equipment, their prices are to beat and if you become a paying member of Fun you will get a further 10% off.
You need to give them a ring as they stock far more than is on their site.
Roger is the guy RogerIvy.

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[monzer]

What about some of the shows? Do they have panels set up to give people an idea on what they need?

 

[Joe88]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I've attached a photo. We were thinking of mounting 2 of these. One in front of the skylight and one behind over the fan on some kind of roof rack. If anyone has any suggestions then that would be amazing.

 

[Basildog]

Hi,

We're currently converting our T5 and are looking to mount some solar panels on the roof. The problem is that it already has a skylight and fan so available mounting space is quite limited. I'd like to go and look at mounting fittings in person, can anyone recommend a shop? Preferably in the midlands, but we'll happily travel.

Thanks,

Joe

Give Chris a call
He has a unit / shop

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www.bspksolar.co.uk

 

[RogerIvy]

Hi,

We're currently converting our T5 and are looking to mount some solar panels on the roof. The problem is that it already has a skylight and fan so available mounting space is quite limited. I'd like to go and look at mounting fittings in person, can anyone recommend a shop? Preferably in the midlands, but we'll happily travel.

Thanks,

Joe

When it comes to a T5 there are a lot of variables caused mainly by the curvature of the roof and the channels.
It also depends on panel size and orientation.
On a few T5s we’ve mounted panels sideways using rectangular ali tubing and that has worked really well. We’ve also supplemented the brackets with angle aluminum that is bent to match the roof curvature - we use Sikaflex to mount them to the roof and they’re attached to the panel with stainless self driller and tapper screws. Works really well.
Rectangular aluminum allows you some flexibility to get the bars to match the roof ridges.

As others have said, racks give you a lot of flexibility too.

So many options and they all do the job …. (Hopefully!)

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[starquake]

Thanks for the responses everyone, I've attached a photo. We were thinking of mounting 2 of these. One in front of the skylight and one behind over the fan on some kind of roof rack. If anyone has any suggestions then that would be amazing.

Bear in mind a roof rack for panels = the wind going under, and it acting rather like a sail or wing in some conditions. I would be careful about wind load and you may want a professional to have a look and advise.

I have no idea on this, but most panels we've seen to date have used either hefty rack mounts or the corner mounts with the panel reasonably flat to roof to avoid the wind load issue (or with a plug at front to send the wind over top from front). Our factory fitted one has a wind deflector in front.

 

[Lenny HB]

Our factory fitted one has a wind deflector in front.

Blocking the airflow under the panel creates more lift.

 

[starquake]

Blocking the airflow under the panel creates more lift.

Thats probably why I'm not a solar installer then -> but I have seen it done on vans other than ours, I think ours has some deflection for noise reasons.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thats probably why I'm not a solar installer then -> but I have seen it done on vans other than ours, I think ours has some deflection for noise reasons.

Have a look at the theory of aircraft wings and lift quite interesting.

 

[Joe88]

Good points about the aerodynamics! I'll create some kind of deflector at the front. My dad has a tig welder so I'll see if he can help fabricate some racking.

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[Viennese]

Dave Newell fitted my panel and is very good. He is in Telford and can advise you and fit. I think he gives a discount for
Fun members.