Solar Panel Venting
For the flexible flat solar panels how are you venting them (getting air circulation under)? I previously had mine just taped directly to the roof with Eternabond tape. This worked fine. The pane...
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My plan is to keep the flutes directed to the sides, tape the front and back with Eternabone, and leave the flutes open to the air. I will have two strips of about 5 inch wide coreplast run diagonally across the roof and I will put tape where the diagonal shows. The flutes will remain open on one end on both sides where the diagonal is taped so nothing gets completely blocked.
This is the underside of the plastic panel, left over yard signs
The coreplast will get a few pieces of VHB tape to the roof, on the diagonal -in the red patches - just to keep it from lifting in the middle.
This gives more than 1/4 inch space from the roof with all air pockets.
By lifting most of the coreplast panel this gives water ability to drain off, as I think water will get under the panels no matter what at some point, and of course, airflow between roof and panels.
Yes, I prefer the glass panels, but to be able to mount panels in needy locations the flex ones make it possible where otherwise I would not have the option.
***update, all tapped on. It feels secure just lifting up on it, and this is more than probably the wind will lift.
Not pretty, but it is the roof. White styrofoam to keep rain out of electric box…
Bad lighting, the tape is mostly white, the roof is more dirty today, it is not duct tape nor that color.
The tape is never directly across from more tape, so at least one side of the plastic is open so the flutes can breath. Most of them are open on both sides. The main plastic board is suspended by the diagonals, so air can flow and water can get out. Water gets in, but it seems to do that no matter what.
The round black top is the air vent. I took off the 14 inch vent and put in this 8 inch one so there was room to put the panels on a flat spot. Otherwise they would hang over the curves.
I may run the two panels in series so that will simplify the wires.
This is the underside of the plastic panel, left over yard signs
The coreplast will get a few pieces of VHB tape to the roof, on the diagonal -in the red patches - just to keep it from lifting in the middle.
This gives more than 1/4 inch space from the roof with all air pockets.
By lifting most of the coreplast panel this gives water ability to drain off, as I think water will get under the panels no matter what at some point, and of course, airflow between roof and panels.
Yes, I prefer the glass panels, but to be able to mount panels in needy locations the flex ones make it possible where otherwise I would not have the option.
***update, all tapped on. It feels secure just lifting up on it, and this is more than probably the wind will lift.
Not pretty, but it is the roof. White styrofoam to keep rain out of electric box…
Bad lighting, the tape is mostly white, the roof is more dirty today, it is not duct tape nor that color.
The tape is never directly across from more tape, so at least one side of the plastic is open so the flutes can breath. Most of them are open on both sides. The main plastic board is suspended by the diagonals, so air can flow and water can get out. Water gets in, but it seems to do that no matter what.
The round black top is the air vent. I took off the 14 inch vent and put in this 8 inch one so there was room to put the panels on a flat spot. Otherwise they would hang over the curves.
I may run the two panels in series so that will simplify the wires.
