Is this the worst Solar Panel fitting you have seen?

[Dazzola]

There's a very good reason I do this stuff myself, I can't believe people can charge that sort of money for a job like that, it's really not too hard to do, research, research, check and go for it.

 

[Orion]

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

NDS SolarFlex EVO flexible panels, as fitted by Adria to certain models, are bonded directly to the roof. The instructions from NDS show how to leave a slight air gap underneath by applying the mastic in a ladder pattern and using minimal force when laying them on.

 

[Guigsy]

There's a very good reason I do this stuff myself, I can't believe people can charge that sort of money for a job like that, it's really not too hard to do, research, research, check and go for it.

I've fitted a panel and I did a neater job than that. But insurance companies are now insisting that you either get panels professional fitted, or get an engineer's report (which probably costs more than you saved by fitting it yourself).

 

[coopc]

Looks quite neat just after I fitted it. Wires have been rerouted since into a conduit through roof. But over the 2 ish yrs it’s been fitted the sun has got to the tape edges and curled them up and dirt has stuck to them so now looks a tad tatty
As I recall the fitting instructions said bond and tape we’re recommended by the manufacturer ?
It has worked very well and even over winter in storage for months it has kept both batteries charged up and ready to go
3/4 days in spring and autumn off grid have been no issue
I have no meters in van to test or review history or wattage etc but so far so good.
It was a doddle to fit. Clean roof. glue round edge of panel. Plonk in place.
It’s made by Eco worthy
I would do the same again and have space for another other side of skylight but as yet have not seen need

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Others may question that the manufacturer of the panel hasn't any concerns over the panel overheating due to no ventilation under the panel?
As you say, it's been fine for a couple of years though.
Mike.

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[Billy192]

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.

Renogy
Warranty Information​

Panels

25-year power output warranty: 5 year/95% efficiency rate, 10 year/90% efficiency rate, 25-year/80% efficiency rate 5-year material and workmanship warranty

 

[headlight]

I tried claiming on a Renogy warranty.
Only my personal experience but I'd never buy another one of their products again.

 

[headlight]

"One Year Manufacturers Warranty"
Sunshine solar, a UK based company not a Chinese drop shipping companies, warranty on flexible panels.

 

[RV72 SAM 🏴]

Some are obviously just glued down like mine, work's perfectly well, both leisure and cab batteries fully charged all the time !
This was fitted last year when van was new.

 

[Orion]

Some are obviously just glued down like mine, work's perfectly well, both leisure and cab batteries fully charged all the time !
This was fitted last year when van was new.

View attachment 811295 View attachment 811296

NDS SolarFlex EVO on an Adria?

If so, we had the same 115w panel on our Compact and I’ve added another two same style panels for an extra 225w. They must have used a full tube of mastic on the original cable entry, which was a pig to remove!

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[coopc]

Some are obviously just glued down like mine, work's perfectly well, both leisure and cab batteries fully charged all the time !
This was fitted last year when van was new.

View attachment 811295 View attachment 811296

That’s how mine looked before I double stuck by taping as well. I was concerned wind and water would get under
I think I went a bit over the top on my sealing and taping

 

[Peppadog]

Not common I guess, but ten plus years ago, the recommendation from my local chandler, when fitting a flexible panel to the coachroof of my, was not to buy his sikaflex product, but to use 50mm wide, heavy duty velcro. It was still on the boat five years and many rough passages later when I sold the boat. Its replacement has a flexible panel, also held with HD velcro, as did the panel on our old vw elevating roof. An eriba caravan roof and now, a secondary 100w flex panel on my ducato pvc.

The ribbed roof on the ducato allows some air under. But all the above mentioned installation were flush fitted. Of course, its not suitable for a rigid panel. The 200w Graig solar unit I fitted 9 months ago to the same van is bonded.

It seems the chandler gave me good advice.

 

[coopc]

Not common I guess, but ten plus years ago, the recommendation from my local chandler, when fitting a flexible panel to the coachroof of my, was not to buy his sikaflex product, but to use 50mm wide, heavy duty velcro. It was still on the boat five years and many rough passages later when I sold the boat. Its replacement has a flexible panel, also held with HD velcro, as did the panel on our old vw elevating roof. An eriba caravan roof and now, a secondary 100w flex panel on my ducato pvc.

The ribbed roof on the ducato allows some air under. But all the above mentioned installation were flush fitted. Of course, its not suitable for a rigid panel. The 200w Graig solar unit I fitted 9 months ago to the same van is bonded.

It seems the chandler gave me good advice.

I would never even considered Velcro!!
It clearly has worked for you
I think I would be up there every weekend checking it’s still stuck down

 

[Peppadog]

Oh. I did plenty of checking. It has never even started to come away. In fact a potential problem is getting it off if needed.

I’m not talking about ordinary velcro. This stuff is very heavy duty. I buy it as a 2” wide x 5m roll.

 

[Sandancers]

Oh. I did plenty of checking. It has never even stared to come away. In fact a potential problem is getting it if off if needed.

I’m not talking about ordinary velcro. This stuff is very heavy duty. I buy it as a 2” wide x 5m roll.

The real worry would be if it was fitted on a MH and it came loose and someone injured by it. Your insurance company might find an excuse for not paying out as the fitting does not comply with industry standard.

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[Peppadog]

OK. Fair point. I suspect it more likely that the panel would be flying around on your roof, held on by the cables, than actually come off though.

I'm only telling you of my real life experience using it for over ten years on boats and camper van roofs. Through big seas crossing the channel and at 70 mph on autoroutes / motorways etc. Thats now five panels. All around 100w semi flexible (not rigid. I need to be able to walk on the boat ones).

 

[Bustup15]

I've used heavy duty velcro for various installations (not solar) but including number plates. Trying to remove them I was more likely to snap the number plate than lose it!