Solar Panel strength...

[galladanb]

I do not have my panels YET, so that is why I am asking...

IN General, are the panels strong enough to be mounted and NOT have any thing under them?

I have watched a lot of U tubes and it would seem nobody has anything under the panels.

I'm worried that the bottom side would be subjected to highway speed wind damage, sudden wind drafts etc...

I think of them as large pictures mounted in frames and having them pop right up in the wind and getting blown away...
I'm sure that is not the case, but still curious minds wanna know???

Also, I'm concerned about the wiring flopping around up there and making noise, abrasions, chaffing, etc...

 

[frater secessus]

Spacing under rigid panels is there for cooling. All other things being equal, output drops as the panels heat up. The dark panels can get seriously hot and some airflow under them helps wick away heat. It can also provide rain cover for cable entry points through the roof.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Also, I'm concerned about the wiring flopping around up there and making noise, abrasions, chaffing, etc...

The wire is usually glued down.  They pour a small puddle of roofing sealer and put the wire in it.  When it sets up, they pour a little more sealer over it.  Repeat as necessary.  The wire doesn't move.

 

[SternWake]

I'd only consider adding support to the middle of huge 300+ watt panels.

I used 3m5200 to hold wires down where i did not want them flapping.

Some other wires which have no choice, I wrapped with foam rubber and a Zip tie.

I did strengthen the corners of my kyocera framed panel with rivets and Angle aluminum as I was using Stainless steel clevis pins as hinge points for tilting, and as a method to lock the panel to roof.

 

[GotSmart]

I do not have my panels YET, so that is why I am asking...

IN General, are the panels strong enough to be mounted and NOT have any thing under them?

I have watched a lot of U tubes and it would seem nobody has anything under the panels.

I'm worried that the bottom side would be subjected to highway speed wind damage, sudden wind drafts etc...

I think of them as large pictures mounted in frames and having them pop right up in the wind and getting blown away...
I'm sure that is not the case, but still curious minds wanna know???

Also, I'm concerned about the wiring flopping around up there and making noise, abrasions, chaffing, etc...

Think of the panels as solid, rigid plate mounted in a rigid fraimwork.  That is not going to go anywhere.

The wires are not long enough to be a problem.

 

[Reducto]

Panels are designed to be permanently mounted places where wind gusts of 100+ mph are common. Hurricane Sandy hit a large array and only 5% of the panels were lost.

I've driven about 100k miles with my 235 watt panel on 2 different vans and it's still as solid as ever. The only problem I've ever had with the mounting was where I mounted it directly to the roof in 4 spots that were not near ribs. The roof itself was flexing a bit as I drove. I added 2 more mounts to the front and had no more issues. On my current van it's attached in 4 places to a standard rack and is just fine. It's actually sitting higher than I'd like so it's taking a lot of wind load.

Use Goop or E6000 glue to hold the wire in place anywhere it's sitting loosely and it won't rub against anything. The glue can be peeled up cleanly when you want to remove it.

 

[Oneleggedcowboy]

I mounted my very large 245 watt 24 volt panel on my slide in camper top using aluminum angle iron from Lowes. Highdesertranger on here suggested it to support the panel between the roof rack sides. It makes me sleep better knowing it is supported like that.

 

[29chico]

Large high voltage grid tie panels are not designed for mobile applications so a solid mounting system is a good idea.  Smaller panels, say 200w or less, that are designed for 12v systems need much less support.

The three 315w LG panels that cover the roof of my cargo trailer conversion are supported by six rack bars, two 1.25 inch aluminum square tubes (0.125 inch wall) that run parallel to short axis of the panels and parallel to the long axis of the trailer along the sides of the array.   Then there are four aluminum solar racking bars that also run forward and back parallel to the long axis of the trailer under the panels.  All that sits on four aluminum factory cross bars at attach to the trailer roof coves.  Yes, a bit over killed, but the frames of the panels are not likely to flex much, if at all.

 

[galladanb]

Very Cool!

Thank you all for the answers! I can now rest assured, the panels once properly mounted and secured will be fine for decades!

Also, Sternwake, I am interested in more info and maybe even pictures of your tilting system? PLEASE?