Is this the worst Solar Panel fitting you have seen?

[icantremember]

Oh that's where they have come from then

 

[Dutch 68]

You had better not drive any modern cars then most are glued together with similar adhesives.

Half my house is hold together with various adhesives, replaced all doors , skirting boards and architraves recently, ( the latter two) are fixed with nothing else at all, no nails or screws, there is only one problem but that will be for the next person in 50 years time, getting them off will be hell, you can hang a fridge on the wall with it

 

[Gaston aires]

No I saw a lot worse on Carpmart van when he first got it 2 x 200watt put on the roof and gone round the outer with a sealant gun no gap no feet looked just like a bathroom shower tray fitted by a child, the cables were straight through the roof under the panel no gland fitted just sealant/adhesive.
We had no choice but to screw the bracket to the ally frame temporarily for the new ones until the weather changed 0 degrees but that was 2years ago I’m sure he will have refitted them in a proper manner now.

I can vouch for Steve and Harvey, they did a great job on my inside out Quest pop up. Worked ever since.
Phil

 

[SteveandSue]

Reassuring that it seems we do have the worst fitting solar panel- no disputes about this so far? - though interestingly someone would be happy with this standard of workmanship and because its out of sight its ok?
Yes there is an air gap - just -
Although we were hoodwinked by someone/business in the trade we thought were trustworthy - our experience seems small compared to some peoples experience on here with selling their van to scammers - we will keep it in perspective.

 

[Guigsy]

Reassuring that it seems we do have the worst fitting solar panel- no disputes about this so far? - though interestingly someone would be happy with this standard of workmanship and because its out of sight its ok?
Yes there is an air gap - just -
Although we were hoodwinked by someone/business in the trade we thought were trustworthy - our experience seems small compared to some peoples experience on here with selling their van to scammers - we will keep it in perspective.

I'm not saying I'd be happy about it. But functionality it's fine and even if you were buying the van, it's unlikely you'd spot it. You'd be hard pressed to argue with them that the adhesive isn't good enough. I would insist that they did the wiring junction with a proper connector though.

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[chaser]

Reassuring that it seems we do have the worst fitting solar panel- no disputes about this so far? - though interestingly someone would be happy with this standard of workmanship and because its out of sight its ok?
Yes there is an air gap - just -
Although we were hoodwinked by someone/business in the trade we thought were trustworthy - our experience seems small compared to some peoples experience on here with selling their van to scammers - we will keep it in perspective.

I suppose you are talking about me. That's fine, but I would rather see a rough solid job than some flimsy pretty one.

 

[wiff2110]

View attachment 809110View attachment 809111View attachment 809112View attachment 809113View attachment 809114View attachment 809116View attachment 809121View attachment 809122View attachment 809123View attachment 809109
Have you seen worse fitting than this of a solar panel?- Our understanding is the warranty company paid over £1,700 to Leisure Tech NE including 15 hours of labour. This was to remove the bolts from existing feet, cut cable at the end of exisiting conduit and joint to new panel leaving 2 joints on the roof. Thats it. Of course they estimated for a lot more work that wasn't undertaken. We have been discussing this with the warranty company for several weeks and finally they sought some redress from the company. But - we are now told that the workshop side of Leisure Tech NE Ltd has closed down and owner seems to be going back to mobile work. There is a lot more to this saga than this but I think the photos pretty much tell the tale.

Lessons learnt - even if you are going through a warranty then pay attention to the detail - Perhaps this would never have happened had it not been paid for by a warranty company, and paid before work was even completed.
Although we were sceptical of these insurance type warranties from dealers - actually it could have worked really well and the warranty company, TMO paid out.
Don't rely totally on recomendations and previous work. Get a written estimate or quote saying exactly what they are going to do. Applying trust with people leaves you feeling like a muppet when it goes wrong. Seems so simple afterwards.
We move on now and will sort out the mess ourselves. View attachment 809115

Why not put a copy of this on his mobile website.

 

[rb62]

Which begs the question how do you clean under them?

Works a treat when laden with water,just make sure you get your own

 

[SteveandSue]

You can see the previous 100 watt panel - on 4 feet - No mess on roof - panel - or feet. Good tidy job as expected.

Remove faulty 100 watt panel onto existing feet - fit new panel
Job done - couple of hours labour.

Instead - warranty company told needs new cable running through van, solar controller, old feet removing. 15 hours labour -
We are told we fit 160 watt panels - good quality panels etc - OK so it will be like our old panel then? - same profile etc
Yeah yeah and of course we were expecting a Rolls Royce job - I should have known better.
Of course its nothing like it when we get it home - It CANNOT be removed without cutting the so called Integral feet - so you cant get to the connection underneath the panel - Fitter adamant it could be removed - until we returned to the garage with a pair of telescopic ladders - then yeah - OK grinder required when it needs to come off. Shody work wether on the roof or under the van or hidden in a cupboard isn't acceptable, particularly if you are being paid to do it.
I have left reviews of work on various medium including the AWS scheme - we can't do a lot more - we move on a little wiser (hopefully )
Still waiting for someone to show a worst fitting regardless of comments- even by a DIY bodge job

 

[Elsie2010]

Well I wouldn't say mine was the tidiest job I'd done but I went for the too much than not enough glue option.

On this van I was lucky enough to have built in roof rack rails on the side mouldings so one side is bolted and the other 3 are just glued View attachment 809341

Sod the great job on the solar.....what a corking place to live!

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[corconx]

Now why do I do jobs like this myself, any guesses?

Because luckily you are able, but not everyone is, but many rely on you

carol

 

[Northernraider]

Sod the great job on the solar.....what a corking place to live!

I dinnae live there

 

[Elsie2010]

I dinnae live there

That's my bubble well n truly burst then. Was about to befriend you

 

[gwyntaxi]

View attachment 809110View attachment 809111View attachment 809112View attachment 809113View attachment 809114View attachment 809116View attachment 809121View attachment 809122View attachment 809123View attachment 809109
Have you seen worse fitting than this of a solar panel?- Our understanding is the warranty company paid over £1,700 to Leisure Tech NE including 15 hours of labour. This was to remove the bolts from existing feet, cut cable at the end of exisiting conduit and joint to new panel leaving 2 joints on the roof. Thats it. Of course they estimated for a lot more work that wasn't undertaken. We have been discussing this with the warranty company for several weeks and finally they sought some redress from the company. But - we are now told that the workshop side of Leisure Tech NE Ltd has closed down and owner seems to be going back to mobile work. There is a lot more to this saga than this but I think the photos pretty much tell the tale.

Lessons learnt - even if you are going through a warranty then pay attention to the detail - Perhaps this would never have happened had it not been paid for by a warranty company, and paid before work was even completed.
Although we were sceptical of these insurance type warranties from dealers - actually it could have worked really well and the warranty company, TMO paid out.
Don't rely totally on recomendations and previous work. Get a written estimate or quote saying exactly what they are going to do. Applying trust with people leaves you feeling like a muppet when it goes wrong. Seems so simple afterwards.
We move on now and will sort out the mess ourselves. View attachment 809115

Got to agree with you that is reeaally shoddy work, companies that work to that standard need naming and shaming.

 

[Just smiffy]

I think I’ve said it maybe once or twice before, a nice “professional” job….. again

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[Spara4042]

I dont want to, I hate the job. However, if the roof under the panels are not cleaned then all the crud builds up and causes black lines down the sides of the moho.

Then SWMBO moans like 'ell that the "roof isn't clean"

 

[welliesman]

I think it would be helpful to other funsters if you named the owner so we can avoid him. We are looking for someone around North Yorkshire to fit panels at the moment......

There's a guy in cononley near skipton.i will get you his number later,his card is in my van at the compound. Cheers

 

[kingspeed]

View attachment 809110View attachment 809111View attachment 809112View attachment 809113View attachment 809114View attachment 809116View attachment 809121View attachment 809122View attachment 809123View attachment 809109
Have you seen worse fitting than this of a solar panel?- Our understanding is the warranty company paid over £1,700 to Leisure Tech NE including 15 hours of labour. This was to remove the bolts from existing feet, cut cable at the end of exisiting conduit and joint to new panel leaving 2 joints on the roof. Thats it. Of course they estimated for a lot more work that wasn't undertaken. We have been discussing this with the warranty company for several weeks and finally they sought some redress from the company. But - we are now told that the workshop side of Leisure Tech NE Ltd has closed down and owner seems to be going back to mobile work. There is a lot more to this saga than this but I think the photos pretty much tell the tale.

Lessons learnt - even if you are going through a warranty then pay attention to the detail - Perhaps this would never have happened had it not been paid for by a warranty company, and paid before work was even completed.
Although we were sceptical of these insurance type warranties from dealers - actually it could have worked really well and the warranty company, TMO paid out.
Don't rely totally on recomendations and previous work. Get a written estimate or quote saying exactly what they are going to do. Applying trust with people leaves you feeling like a muppet when it goes wrong. Seems so simple afterwards.
We move on now and will sort out the mess ourselves. View attachment 809115

Hi,
I cannot understand why there is no air gap under the panels. That's why they usually have mounts more like feet.
I am pretty sure that is wrong.
The first time I fitted a panel it was only 40 watt on a Romahome.
I fitted it the same as yours are fitted, only much tidier. Later I found I should have left an air gap.

Regards Trevor.

 

[MIJOBA]

View attachment 810259 Works a treat when laden with water,just make sure you get your own

E-Cloth dusting wand is great for this.

 

[Gromett]

Reassuring that it seems we do have the worst fitting solar panel- no disputes about this so far?

I have seen many far worse. Also seen quite a few on here that have lost solar panels which is even worse still.

If they have scuffed the paint work up underneath the ally then I see no issue with the method of installation. Just the clean up to make it look professional?

I personally also use screws but lots of people don't like holes in the roof.

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[SteveandSue]

There is an air gap. These are the NEW panels supplied by their supplier ?? to stop! people taking them off when they sell the van - as this reduces the amount they then sell - Integral feet apparently?
I am still waiting to see photos of a worse fitted panel.
Cable stuffed under panel - which was rubbing and had already marked the roof before I secured it
TWO joints on roof? not even opened the existing conduit to see there was a joint in there - just turning it through 90 degrees and cutting the cable. etc etc
Leaving exisistng feet on the roof and then saying they don't want to remove them in case they damage the roof etc etc
Still winning -

 

[Dorset Diver]

I've often wondered why fully bonded flexible panels can't be used as often seen on boat decks?

 

[chaser]

There is an air gap. These are the NEW panels supplied by their supplier ?? to stop! people taking them off when they sell the van - as this reduces the amount they then sell - Integral feet apparently?
I am still waiting to see photos of a worse fitted panel.
Cable stuffed under panel - which was rubbing and had already marked the roof before I secured it
TWO joints on roof? not even opened the existing conduit to see there was a joint in there - just turning it through 90 degrees and cutting the cable. etc etc
Leaving exisistng feet on the roof and then saying they don't want to remove them in case they damage the roof etc etc
Still winning -

On our coach built before the ambulance I stuck a flexible panel straight to the roof , worked fine , still on when we sold it and still working.
Edit and just remembered I stuck the wires down the air vent to the bathroom and through the wall into the wardrobe.

 

[peterc10]

I personally also use screws but lots of people don't like holes in the roof.

Into what? It's a coachbuilt so 1mm of aluminium (or a bit more of GRP) and then some foamed insulation. Can't see that would add much mechanical grip.

Modern adhesives are much better than years ago, as long as they are properly applied to properly prepared surfaces. My worry is that if any company did that type of finish that you can see, what shortcuts did they do on the things you can't see.

 

[coopc]

I've often wondered why fully bonded flexible panels can't be used as often seen on boat decks?

Ok so I have fitted a flexible 130w panel to my roof. Bonded round all edges and taped as well for full on security - no air gap
Just like they have on boats
Should I be concerned. Presumably the panel is designed for just such locations and will work as advertised?

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[Northernraider]

Ok so I have fitted a flexible 130w panel to my roof. Bonded round all edges and taped as well for full on security - no air gap
Just like they have on boats
Should I be concerned. Presumably the panel is designed for just such locations and will work as advertised?

I've seen lots of flexible panels glued to van roofs and seem to work so I don't see an issue

 

[headlight]

Flexible panels tend to have a 1 year warranty as compared to 10 years for a rigid panel.
Tells you all you need to know.

 

[peterc10]

AFAIK the air gap is for cooling. Apparently if the panels get very hot their output drops. Some threads on here about flexible panels failing within one or two years.

 

[Northernraider]

Flexible panels tend to have a 1 year warranty as compared to 10 years for a rigid panel.
Tells you all you need to know.

Not really,

 

[Billy192]

I've often wondered why fully bonded flexible panels can't be used as often seen on boat decks?

i have 3 flexible renogy sitting on 6mm polly carb for air flow, had the same on my last van for years no issues.

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