Question s regarding mounting panels on a curved roof?

[PNW_Steve]

Hello Everyone,

I am considering mounting methods for a bus solar project. The curved roof creates some challenges.

Initially I was going to build a flat deck elevated 3-6" above the roof and attach the panels to the deck. Unfortunately, the materials cost is looking like it may hurt the budget a bit.

I did some searching and found this: http://www.skoolie.net/forums/attach...3&d=1467607040

In post #3 he shows mounting two lengths of Unistrut to the roof then the panels to the Unistrut.

My questions are: .

Is this method strong enough to secure the panels adequately?

Will the panels be too close to the roof to allow adequate air flow?


Before any, well intentioned, discussion about tilting panels starts.... I have made the decision to mount them flat and "over-panel" a bit.

What do you think?

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[DMH]

No expert but have seen many boats in the local port with large panels apparently glued to curved deck surfaces, in fact have seen people walking on them with slippers?

Saves any mounting frames ect.

Dave

[PNW_Steve]

No expert but have seen many boats in the local port with large panels apparently glued to curved deck surfaces, in fact have seen people walking on them with slippers?

Saves any mounting frames ect.

Dave

I have seen that with flexible panels. Mine are conventional flat panels in aluminum frames.

The downside to gluing down flexible panels is that there is no air flow on the back of the panel.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[PNW_Steve]

Anyone else have any thoughts?

[PNW_Steve]

Anyone?

[littleharbor]

You could fabricate some wooden trusses by making a template and duplicating them out of 2X lumber. You asked.

[bcroe]

I go for all cells in a string having the same sun alignment. Otherwise, those with the
worst alignment will hold back output of the others. Bruce Roe

[PNW_Steve]

I go for all cells in a string having the same sun alignment. Otherwise, those with the
worst alignment will hold back output of the others. Bruce Roe

I will be flat mounting the panels. I just need to decide how.

Any thoughts on the method shown in the picture I linked in the first post?

[PNW_Steve]

You could fabricate some wooden trusses by making a template and duplicating them out of 2X lumber. You asked.

How much duct tape should I use to hold the trusses?

[littleharbor]

How much duct tape should I use to hold the trusses?

Sounds like you're not too mechanically inclined or imaginative. You were asking for a way to approach mounting to a curved roof and I gave you a perfectly viable option. Nobody seemed to be offering solutions. Fact is, if I had this situation I very likely would create some trusses cut to the curvature of the roof. And I'd leave the duct tape out of the equation.

BTW When I clicked on your link in the first post it took me to the home page of that site, not whatever photo you are eluding to.

[J.P.M.]

How much duct tape should I use to hold the trusses?

Depends how good you are at interpreting redneck engineering drawings.

Otherwise, I'd use one definition as a guide: Duct tape == hundred mile tape. As in: That's how long it will last when used in vehicle repair.

[PNW_Steve]

Sounds like you're not too mechanically inclined or imaginative. You were asking for a way to approach mounting to a curved roof and I gave you a perfectly viable option. Nobody seemed to be offering solutions. Fact is, if I had this situation I very likely would create some trusses cut to the curvature of the roof. And I'd leave the duct tape out of the equation.

BTW When I clicked on your link in the first post it took me to the home page of that site, not whatever photo you are eluding to.

My apologies. I thought you were joking.


I checked the link and it works for me...... Can anyone else see it?

[SunEagle]

My apologies. I thought you were joking.


I checked the link and it works for me...... Can anyone else see it?

The link takes me to the forum page that I need to log in to see. If you are a member it probably takes you right to the photo.

[PNW_Steve]

The link takes me to the forum page that I need to log in to see. If you are a member it probably takes you right to the photo.

Doooh!

Why didn't I think of that.... Let me see what I can do.

[PNW_Steve]

Here we go...