Mounting solar panels on a curved roof

[JRRNeiklot]

I need to mount two panels on the roof of my travel trailer. The roof is curved which means the Z brackets I have will present a problem. Anyone know of a source for cheap brackets that I can elevate the panels with or know of an alternate solution? AM solar sells rocker feet, but that will set me back another $100.

Thanks.

[Almot]

Don't worry about panels being sloped to the "wrong" side, i.e. away from the sun. It's only few degrees, hardly will make a difference even if they all slope away from the sun. The rear panel on my trailer slopes to the side and also to rearward, same as the roof - I didn't find necessary to "correct" this.

Remember - there is no such thing as too much solar. Oversize your system right now (compared to what you "think" you need). It will be difficult, less efficient and expensive to do this later.

[MrWizard]

Most of us use angle aluminum
You can cut some to make straight flats to extend the lift side higher

[free_radical]

My roof is also slightly curved so I made brackets myself from L shaped aluminum bars..
Also used stainles steel door hinges bolted onto each panel,two on each side,so I can raise the panel up to 45 degrees.,
Sorry have no pics,but if you search this site for solar instal there are many instalations with photos,,

[Lwiddis]

Mine too are flat mounted with some sacrifice on Winnie's curved roof. Hasn't really mattered much.

[Searching_Ut]

As Almot mentioned, perfectly flat will cause issues with moisture. Rain, morning dew, the morning frost as it melts off etc. Moisture will cause puddles on your panels that will have considerably more of a negative impact on power production than I think most people expect. I've currently got six 100 watt panels on my 5er roof. I made my own brackets out of two pieces of L aluminum stock bolted together for each bracket. The back of the trailer where some of the panels are mounted has both the rounded curve, and a downward slope towards the rear of the trailer. I made the bracket length so that the rearward slope is removed, but kept the curved roof slope for water runoff.

I have 3 panels on both sides of the roof so half are generally somewhat more optimized towards the sun than the other three. It's a compromise, but anything other than auto tracking panels are a compromise, and tracking units aren't really a viable option on an RV.

[Almot]

JRRNeiklot wrote:
The roof is curved which means the Z brackets I have will present a problem.

No they won't.
So called "flat" install implies panel conforming to the roof curve rather than having panel perfectly aligned horizontally. Panel MUST have a few degrees slope to drain rain water and dust.

You might have a problem though if your Z-brackets are not height-adjustable or don't let you adjust them to your liking. Make your own as suggested by others, - each bracket of 2 pieces of aluminum angle bolted together to make a Z.

[Bill_Satellite]

You should be able to make long and short L-brackets that will accommodate most any curved roof assuming you won't need to raise or lower them but are looking for a simple fixed installation. The road side edges will be high and the inboard edges will be low. This is not a problem while traveling as they would still be parallel to the ground or only slightly tilted which would not cause much/any issues while driving or parked. Flat is best if you can make that happen. Sorry, having the ability to tilt the panels is best but if that's not an option, flat is best.

[pianotuna]

I used angle aluminum to make feet.