Roof mounting solar panel

[SFVdave]

My new class C from Forest River has a dimpled roof. What's the best way to secure the panels? Some use tape and I don't know if it will stick or should I try screws?

[SFVdave]

I called about the sticky feet and they said not to use on my dimpled roof. Will check out Instapark's glued.

[34midget]

I mounted two 105 watt panels on the roof of my BT Cruiser, which has the textured plastic roof. I used the Instapark mounts and glued them down with "Through the Roof" adhesive, It is a clear adhesive specifically made for use on a roof, so heat isn't a problem. I love the stuff. Screws go through the mounts into the panel frame to hold them in the mounts.
As I was finishing up mounting them, I got interrupted and had to come off the roof. I then made a 350 mile trip. The next time I was on the roof I noticed that the rear-most panel did not have the screws in it. I had forgotten to put them in. (Hey, I old, OK?) The panel was laying in place perfectly just as if I hadn't moved the motorhome. So I guess the fears of wind pulling them off depends upon the placement on the roof and shape of others items up there. I got lucky.
I love the performance I get from the two 105 watt panels. And I really like the clean, aerodynamic Instapark mounts with no screws through the roof.

[Yosemitebobr]

Sagecoachdriver wrote:
Has anyone tried STICKY FEET? Again, I don't want to screw anything into the roof until my warranty is up. Check my first post for phot of dimpled fiberglass roof.
STicky feet

As I mentioned above, you get a lot of wind especially traveling at 60 - 75 mph, I for one, would not want to have that wind pulling up on the panels, as this could pull the TPO away from the plywood it is glued too. What is worse, warranty will not cover that problem if it was to happen.

[SFVdave]

Has anyone tried STICKY FEET? Again, I don't want to screw anything into the roof until my warranty is up. Check my first post for phot of dimpled fiberglass roof.
STicky feet

[Dakzuki]

mlts22 wrote:
I read reviews about the glued on mounts. I'd be worried about those coming off, especially after wind, UV light, and the elements have weakened the glue after a while. If I were using these to attach panels into a shed, I wouldn't hesitate to use those, however, a RV moving at 60+ miles/hour is a different story.

People also use stick-on panels, but one of the biggest advantages of solar panels on frames, even though they may not have much clearance between them and the roof, there is still a gap, and that gap provides excellent insulation against heat, so it provides "shade" for the rig, no matter where it is parked. Plus, stick-on, flexible panels have a much shorter warranty than the normal flat, framed type.

A big advantage of using framed panels with a gap vs stick on is heat buildup in the panel itself. They lose efficiency pretty dramatically as temperature goes up. A gap behind them gives the ability for some cooling.

[mlts22]

I read reviews about the glued on mounts. I'd be worried about those coming off, especially after wind, UV light, and the elements have weakened the glue after a while. If I were using these to attach panels into a shed, I wouldn't hesitate to use those, however, a RV moving at 60+ miles/hour is a different story.

People also use stick-on panels, but one of the biggest advantages of solar panels on frames, even though they may not have much clearance between them and the roof, there is still a gap, and that gap provides excellent insulation against heat, so it provides "shade" for the rig, no matter where it is parked. Plus, stick-on, flexible panels have a much shorter warranty than the normal flat, framed type.

[Yosemitebobr]

What would worry me about just being glued onto the rubber roof all that surface that wind can get under, could lift both the panel and the rubber away from the plywood under the TPO.

[SFVdave]

Has anyone tried these solar panel mounts that you glue on?
Insta park mounts

[Yosemitebobr]

I used seam sealing tape (don't have the name until I get home) it's about 4" wide. I cut pieces for each foot and put that on the roof first. Then I laid the panels (four 100w panels) on each pad and put two screws in each of the legs. It's supprising what wind can do. Then of course I put dicor over all that. I drilled a hole through the roof into the center of a wall (I must have measured a dozen times) and hit it perfectly, and put went to the floor next (also measured a dozen times) putting the controller in with the inverter. The remote I ran back to the wall where all the other remotes are. Took from 8 in the morning to about 4 in the afternoon.

[Snowman9000]

I installed two 50 watt panels that I already owned, plus another two 100 watt panels. I put the controller in a location that could be controversial. It is tucked up high under the MH, to the rear of the step well which holds the batteries. I installed some splash shielding too. I used a controller that is sealed and weather resistant. Time will tell if this is a good place, but it is close the batteries.

[SFVdave]

Snowman, I was thinking of the same thing. A bit of overkill gives peace of mind. How many panels and where did you mount the controler?

[Snowman9000]

I have a FR Class C with the same roof. I think your photo makes it look deeper textured than it is. There are different thickness of the 3M tape, some of which will handle that roof. I used some on my roof (see link below).

Having said that, when all was said and done I chickened out and put one screw through the foot of each mount. Then dicor over the screw and the rest of the foot. I think the tape would have held, though. I just decided why chance it.

Here is the tape I used.