Hello! I’m hoping I can find some help with using larger sized solar panels for my van build. I have already started buying/ordering stuff for my van, which will be a 2019 promaster 159” WB extended. I haven’t purchased any solar stuff yet but I have a solar setup in mind, the panels are two 300 watt mono panels which are quite large. The panels measure 65” long by 39” wide, and there are two of them. So ideally I’d want to utilize the space and mount them sideways on the roof of the van as I still want to have 2 roof vents on top (front and back). So my question is will these large panels be ok mounted sideways on the roof? I can’t seem to find many people with large panels like this on a van. I’m planning on bolting them through the roof of the van, but still I’m concerned about a panel ripping off while driving. ANY input/experience on using larger panels would be very helpful and much appreciated!
Large solar panels
- Thread starter kex02611
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jonyjoe303
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yes you can mount them that way. On my small astrovan I had a smaller 120 watt panel mounted sideways, it extended a little over the edges. When I got a larger 240 watt panel I was also going to mount sideways to avoid putting it over a vent, but it extended too far over the edges for my liking. Eventually I mounted lenghtwise, I remove the cover off the roof vent and just put the solar panel over it which it cleared by about an inch.
As long as you use 4 "L" brackets, one on each corner of the panel, you should be good to go. Whether sideways or lenghtwise, the bolts will keep it secure. I had them on the roof almost 6 years, lot of freeway driving, panels are on there tight. Nothing says you can't use 8 "L" brackets to mount them if you want more security. But almost everyone uses 4.
Don't let the vents dictate how you going to mount them, if you have to put them over the vents, thats an option. Once a panel is over the vent, that will prevent rain from coming in, and it won't block the airflow. Never had water come into my van from the uncovered vent. You can also instead install side vents. To me it was an eyesore having the panels stick out over the edges.
in this picture you can see the 240 watt panel install lenghtwise, there are a total of 4 roof vents, only one under the panel, the other 3 on the edges. Haven't use those roof vents in years and instead rely on side vents for ventilation. The "L" brackets I used I bought at home depot for less then 10 dollars, they were longer then the "Z" brackets they usually use to mount solar panels. I needed them long to clear the vents. If I could do it again I would have never installed roof vents and mounted the panel closer to the roof. Just for a neater look.
As long as you use 4 "L" brackets, one on each corner of the panel, you should be good to go. Whether sideways or lenghtwise, the bolts will keep it secure. I had them on the roof almost 6 years, lot of freeway driving, panels are on there tight. Nothing says you can't use 8 "L" brackets to mount them if you want more security. But almost everyone uses 4.
Don't let the vents dictate how you going to mount them, if you have to put them over the vents, thats an option. Once a panel is over the vent, that will prevent rain from coming in, and it won't block the airflow. Never had water come into my van from the uncovered vent. You can also instead install side vents. To me it was an eyesore having the panels stick out over the edges.
in this picture you can see the 240 watt panel install lenghtwise, there are a total of 4 roof vents, only one under the panel, the other 3 on the edges. Haven't use those roof vents in years and instead rely on side vents for ventilation. The "L" brackets I used I bought at home depot for less then 10 dollars, they were longer then the "Z" brackets they usually use to mount solar panels. I needed them long to clear the vents. If I could do it again I would have never installed roof vents and mounted the panel closer to the roof. Just for a neater look.
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frater secessus
Well-known member
You can mount them either way. Folks are generally surprised at how rigid the panel/rack system is once assembled.
I am curious to see your roof layout ideas, as I've not seen 900w with two vents, even on an EXT version. I've seen it done a few times with one vent. Can you post a drawing or mockup and dimensions of the panels in question?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
I am curious to see your roof layout ideas, as I've not seen 900w with two vents, even on an EXT version. I've seen it done a few times with one vent. Can you post a drawing or mockup and dimensions of the panels in question?
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
