Stick on solar panels for camper shells?
- Thread starter Metcalf
- Start date
dzzz
™
It's been done.
But the shortest model you will likely find to purchase is about 9.5' long. The back has a peel off glue strip that would probably degrade after awhile. Although changes to the backing wouldn't degrade performance.
Personally I would install a smaller rigid panel instead of messing with unisolar that doesn't fit a rooftop. The advantage of unisolar is that it disappears on a large roof, and has little chance of damage. It also seems to have good performance with less than ideal sun angels. It's a good "install and forget" choice.
Rigid panels have a considerably better power out per panel area.
We're getting closer to having glue-on flexible panels with high output at a low cost. When that happens we will all be putting flexible panels onto the open spaces on camping vehicle roof.
If unisolar made a half length panel these would work well for typical 4x4 vehicles.
saburai
Explorer
Questions...
Thanks for the input
I have a Jeep XJ with a RTT and as such, there is not a good place to permanently mount a rigid or for that matter, a flexible panel. I already have a global solar 62W folding panel. I'd love another one but the cost is prohibitive. My SOP for the folding panel is to deploy it on the ground, the hood or on top of the tent. It makes little difference to me that the unisolar is 9.5'X15" as I would just lay it out on the ground or hang it or something else. Do you know or can you point me to an on line source that has (or could provide) the rolled dimensions? If I were to do this, I most probably would adhere a thin flexible backing slighter larger than the panel it self. I would install grommets around the perimeter to help with deployment.
Many Thanks...
Thanks for the input
I have a Jeep XJ with a RTT and as such, there is not a good place to permanently mount a rigid or for that matter, a flexible panel. I already have a global solar 62W folding panel. I'd love another one but the cost is prohibitive. My SOP for the folding panel is to deploy it on the ground, the hood or on top of the tent. It makes little difference to me that the unisolar is 9.5'X15" as I would just lay it out on the ground or hang it or something else. Do you know or can you point me to an on line source that has (or could provide) the rolled dimensions? If I were to do this, I most probably would adhere a thin flexible backing slighter larger than the panel it self. I would install grommets around the perimeter to help with deployment.
Many Thanks...
dwh
Tail-End Charlie
Maybe. Probably.
My only gripe about the glue on flex PVs is that they achieve the same basic effect as painting the roof black. It sort of defeats the purpose of using a reflective insulating paint on the roof of an RV.
On the other hand, using a solid module on a rack with some air space underneath creates the "tropical roof" effect, which I think is a serious consideration - especially for an old desert rat like me.
dzzz
™
There is a minimum radius spec, but I don't recall what it is. A roll is fairly stiff and bulky. It's not going to roll up well in cold weather.
A 50 watt rigid panel is only about four square feet. That would store better in most situations.
dzzz
™
Yeah, it pretty much has to be mass market solar to be inexpensive. So medium or larger rigid panels, and uni-solar rolls. There may be some shingle-like panels available in the next year or two that might work in some mobile applications.
I'm not sure how long the uni-solar rolls will be available. The current price is apparently well below what was considered profitable by the original company.
Solar is a confusing business. How can some medium size panels be $2/watt, while other very similar units sell for $4/watt? I think the sound strategy at this point is to try to use lower cost panels as they are likely a medium-term investment.
In my limited experience solar works very well on campers if the system is properly designed. That mostly means proper wire size and probably not wiring multiple panels in series.
I would like to hear from someone who has used HQRP panels. The limited number of online reviews are good. It seems a reasonable lower cost alternative to powerfilm for some users. In some applications the semi-rigid HQRP panels might be superior.
I'm not sure how long the uni-solar rolls will be available. The current price is apparently well below what was considered profitable by the original company.
Solar is a confusing business. How can some medium size panels be $2/watt, while other very similar units sell for $4/watt? I think the sound strategy at this point is to try to use lower cost panels as they are likely a medium-term investment.
In my limited experience solar works very well on campers if the system is properly designed. That mostly means proper wire size and probably not wiring multiple panels in series.
I would like to hear from someone who has used HQRP panels. The limited number of online reviews are good. It seems a reasonable lower cost alternative to powerfilm for some users. In some applications the semi-rigid HQRP panels might be superior.
westyss
Explorer
that should be no problem, Allterrain Warriors uses these on fibreglass roofs
whatcharterboat
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Hi Camper357,
Yeah, we swear by them as long as you have the room. You might have gathered that by my comments about them at the start of this thread.
Regarding sticking them down on a fibreglass roof....... obviously the smoother and cleaner the better. They're just like a big sticker so the same rules would apply. Put them down on a new smooth roof that's come out of a mould and they're there for life.
Be careful sticking them down....... don't get any air bubbles and make sure they are dead straight if you're using a couple close together. You only get one shot at it so get someone to give you a hand and think about how you're going to do it beforehand. It's safer to put them down with 2 people the first time. Never try to peel them back off either. If you make a mistake, you'll have to live with it.
Merry xmas. John.
Last edited:
Hi folks, cool thread
Does anyone have real world experience they could share regarding the internal camper temperatures having glued flexy panels on?
When I got my camper it had a flat polished shiny ally roof which I thought would be ideal to reflect heat. I got up there one summers day to clean stuff and had to have a lot of insulation between me and the roof, it was roasting hot!
So I found some white flexy masonary paint from Sika and painted the roof. Next day it was cool to the touch in the same sort of weather, and the difference inside the camper was very noticeable.
So I think I will in the future cover the camper roof with flexy panels, but will I be creating an human camper-oven? (Not in the UK of course, not quite enough sun!)
If I only cover half of the roof, what will the temp difference between the white remainder and the black panels do to the camper roof when it does get properly hot? Will Sikaflex absorb all that expansion every day?
Will Sikaflex sufficiently smooth out the slightly undulating roof on the likes of an Alaskan to still give a good long life seal? Glue onto the panel or the roof when fitting?
Happy crimble!
Jason
Does anyone have real world experience they could share regarding the internal camper temperatures having glued flexy panels on?
When I got my camper it had a flat polished shiny ally roof which I thought would be ideal to reflect heat. I got up there one summers day to clean stuff and had to have a lot of insulation between me and the roof, it was roasting hot!
So I found some white flexy masonary paint from Sika and painted the roof. Next day it was cool to the touch in the same sort of weather, and the difference inside the camper was very noticeable.
So I think I will in the future cover the camper roof with flexy panels, but will I be creating an human camper-oven? (Not in the UK of course, not quite enough sun!)
If I only cover half of the roof, what will the temp difference between the white remainder and the black panels do to the camper roof when it does get properly hot? Will Sikaflex absorb all that expansion every day?
Will Sikaflex sufficiently smooth out the slightly undulating roof on the likes of an Alaskan to still give a good long life seal? Glue onto the panel or the roof when fitting?
Happy crimble!
Jason
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