Anyone actually broke their solar panels on a roof rack?

[1leglance]

So in my single 24v panel vs 2-4 of the 12v panels folks talk about having more than 1 panel is good in case things break.....but how often do these panels break?

I had 2 panels on top of my 10ft tall Sportsmobile and here in the desert southwest I often had tree branches rubbing the panels but never a break.

Anyone actually break a panel?

Right now a single 24v 220watt panel will fit just fine for $150...or 4 40watt 12v panels for $232 if I go that route.

Thanks in advance.....or an this will be a perm install that lays flat...if I get crazy I might make a tiltable frame but I doubt it

 

[CaliMobber]

Ive never heard of anyone breaking a panel on their roof. My rooftop panel has been fine for the last 6months. Cant beat the deal for the 24v panel.

 

[Scrib]

I don't think multiple panels are going to provide any (within a reasonable realm of probability) redundancy over a single, since presumably they'd be located in the same area and would all be feeding a single charge controller.

 

[timber]

I think most panel breaks are from removing them and leaning them up against something to face the sun then having the wind blow them over on rocks and such. Never heard of one being broken while up top. I have had one on my flippac for over a year 24/7 and have not had a problem in any city or off road driving, But I do expect it will get broken eventually by some oddball thing I cant foresee?

 

[fourstringfletch]

I'm certainly in the runnings - my panel slopes up slightly from my cab roof to the roof rack on my camper shell. I'll let you know how the solar panel fairing I just mounted holds up.