Mounting solar panels on trailer roof

[Facethewolf]

If I had a few 100 watt solar panels, is it better to mount the panels flat on the roof using the roof as a large heatsink, or to use standoffs so there's an inch or more gap. The idea being the panels would cast some shade on a hot roof. Is it all a moot point in the larger scheme of things?

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[dwh]

You want the air gap for a couple reasons.

First, the hotter the solar cells are, the less watts they produce. But they are dark color and facing the sun, so they inevitably get hot. So anything you can do to dump heat is a good thing. Many glass PV modules specs *require* an air gap underneath.

Then of course, if you are already doing that, then you also get the benefit of "the tropical roof effect" that you already mentioned.

 

[Facethewolf]

Thank you very much

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