Well nut size for large solar panels?

Don't think well nuts are meant for plywood, I think they'd be worse than screws. If you want to really make sure they don't come off maybe an expanding moly bolt. I just used #12 1" screws and the panels haven't moved yet.

I have never seen well nuts on a roof. Use the #12 screws and a dab of Dicor to seal the screws and bracket.

I believe you are unnessarily concerned. My panels remain secure....I check them!

I'm just concerned with so much surface area and potential 100+ mph winds. I will say that out of all the reading I've done, no one has had a panel fly off when attached by screws, but I'm concerned about the panel that will be mounted side wise (?) at the very front. Seems like it will be a potential kite with a 72" wingspan.

If I'm wrong, that would be great!

Mine are broadside to the wind but not fully on the front edge.
Consider a front shield to divert air over the panel or rather to prevent air from getting underneath.
#10 stainless drywall screw holds my panels.

RVLifeLovers wrote:
I'm just concerned with so much surface area and potential 100+ mph winds. I will say that out of all the reading I've done, no one has had a panel fly off when attached by screws, but I'm concerned about the panel that will be mounted side wise (?) at the very front. Seems like it will be a potential kite with a 72" wingspan.

If I'm wrong, that would be great!

Yeah, I know exactly what you are saying. I went over-board when I installed my panels. Made my own mounting brackets and all. I've seen panels installed with just 4 screws and as far as I know have never heard of anyone's panels taking flight. It's possible I guess so that's why I went crazy with multiple screws. Do what helps you sleep better!

Got Dirt? wrote:

Yeah, I know exactly what you are saying. I went over-board when I installed my panels. Made my own mounting brackets and all. I've seen panels installed with just 4 screws and as far as I know have never heard of anyone's panels taking flight. It's possible I guess so that's why I went crazy with multiple screws. Do what helps you sleep better!

I love your mounting brackets. I plan on making long ones like that as well. Not sure if it would, but in my mind it makes the 'footprint' much more secure and stable. Also prevents the wind from getting underneath on my front panel by creating the wind deflector mentioned above.

I guess screws it is, yikes! I can't argue with the success of all of you. That's what I love about these forums.

Got Dirt, you have any more pics of your brackets?

RVLifeLovers wrote:


I love your mounting brackets. I plan on making long ones like that as well. Not sure if it would, but in my mind it makes the 'footprint' much more secure and stable. Also prevents the wind from getting underneath on my front panel by creating the wind deflector mentioned above.

I guess screws it is, yikes! I can't argue with the success of all of you. That's what I love about these forums.

Got Dirt, you have any more pics of your brackets?

I can take some pics tomorrow. I leave for Sonoran Desert on Tuesday!!! Yippee! If the pics aren't up by tomorrow then I got real busy (will post when I get back) :h

Sounds good, thanks and enjoy!

I used one of these on each bracket along with a number 10 ss screw. I used the toggle portion and added a 3/16 stainless screw. The hole probably wouldn't be any larger than if using any other type of insert.

It was my first solar install and the ss screws just didn't seem like enough bite in the thin plywood roof but along with dicor they may have been fine. I know with the wing style toggle they are not coming off.