100w Thinfilm Flexible Solar Panel Mounting Questions

[adamis]

I currently have a small rigid frame 20watt solar panel that is screwed into my Fiberglass roof on my Bigfoot Camper that the previous owner installed. It works but just doesn't have the amperage necessary to top up the batteries during the day. I don't want to install any panels that require my holes in the roof so I'm looking at one of the 100w thin film flexible solar panels on Amazon and possibly some double sided tape. Ideally the tape would be secure and effective but I'm hoping it won't damage the roof if for some reason I need to remove it.

Does anyone have any experience with mounting such a panel with double sided tape?

[Redwoodcamper]

I don't think I would attempt to remove the tape. I would cut it where it attaches to the panels and just flatten it out on the roof. It won't hurt anything being stuck there. It might look funny but no one looks at my roof. It's better than putting holes up there.

[srschang]

adamis wrote:

Redwoodcamper wrote:
I used the renogy 200watt kit with normal panels and used eternabond to tape them to the roof. Been 1000+miles and over 80mph on occasion with them not moving.

Thanks for the report. I do have a question about the eternabond tape you used. Do you have any concerns about being able to remove it from your roof should the panel ever need to be replaced? I have a fiberglass roof and though I'm confident the adhesives will hold, I am a bit concerned about what damage it may cause if it ever needs to be removed.

Although I attached my solar panels with screws, I did some leak repair with Eternabond tape several years ago on the roof of my camper. It IS removable, I'm in the process of removing it right now. Removal is painstaking, plan on 2 minutes per inch of tape to remove. So a 2'x4' solar panel will take about 5 hours to remove & clean up. But it is possible.

[adamis]

work2much wrote:
I don't have experience with these panels. If you are only looking for 100 watts of energy you may want to consider a portable folding system that you can place and angle into the sun rather than a roof top install.

Like this
https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-Portable-Polycrystalline-Foldable-Suitcase/dp/B00MGLIIQO/ref=sr_1_...

From what I have read the thin flexible panels aren't very efficient and once placed on the roof have no way to ventilate off heat from the backside which further reduces their efficiency.

Yeah, I guess that is an option but I'm typically on the road every couple of days and I think after a few weeks it would get rather old to be pulling the folding panels out and putting them up. I know it doesn't take that much time but the convenience of having something on the roof that I don't have to think about is more in line with my needs.

Looking at these panels, thin film panels, I don't know if I would be that concerned about some efficiency loss if they get warm. If I loose 20% I'm still making 80watts of power which should be enough for my needs considering I'm on the road and can charge through my alternator as well.

[Geewizard]

work2much wrote:
I don't have experience with these panels. If you are only looking for 100 watts of energy you may want to consider a portable folding system that you can place and angle into the sun rather than a roof top install.

Like this
https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-Portable-Polycrystalline-Foldable-Suitcase/dp/B00MGLIIQO/ref=sr_1_...

From what I have read the thin flexible panels aren't very efficient and once placed on the roof have no way to ventilate off heat from the backside which further reduces their efficiency.

x2.

[adamis]

Redwoodcamper wrote:
I used the renogy 200watt kit with normal panels and used eternabond to tape them to the roof. Been 1000+miles and over 80mph on occasion with them not moving.

Thanks for the report. I do have a question about the eternabond tape you used. Do you have any concerns about being able to remove it from your roof should the panel ever need to be replaced? I have a fiberglass roof and though I'm confident the adhesives will hold, I am a bit concerned about what damage it may cause if it ever needs to be removed.

[work2much]

I don't have experience with these panels. If you are only looking for 100 watts of energy you may want to consider a portable folding system that you can place and angle into the sun rather than a roof top install.

Like this
https://www.amazon.com/ECO-WORTHY-Portable-Polycrystalline-Foldable-Suitcase/dp/B00MGLIIQO/ref=sr_1_...

From what I have read the thin flexible panels aren't very efficient and once placed on the roof have no way to ventilate off heat from the backside which further reduces their efficiency.

[Redwoodcamper]

I used the renogy 200watt kit with normal panels and used eternabond to tape them to the roof. Been 1000+miles and over 80mph on occasion with them not moving.

[pianotuna]

The stick on panels are not designed to be removed. In extreme cold the adhesive may tend to fail.

[Lwiddis]

Have you read the articles on flexible panel cupping and heat published in the last two years? Here's two -

https://www.renogy.com/voluntary-product-recall/

http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/flexible-rv-solar-issues-review/comment-page-3