Advice wanted: Corrugated Plastic Roofing + Solar Panels

[CavityandLacey]

We are thinking of getting a 'car port' type construction in the driveway to house the motorhome and the builder has suggested the roof is made of see through plastic corrugated material. Does anyone know if this will allow the solar panel on the roof of my Motorhome to work whilst it is garaged. Thanks

 

[trevskoda]

Yes it will though at pos about 70% of light,one thing i will say as i have it on a leanto conservitory birds drop snail shells on it to break them and after a few years as it gets brittle ending up with small holes,make sure the frame is strong and has a slope to shed snow.

 

[alca]

I have my MH under a fibreglass roof car port that is not clear but is translucent, the solar panels still work but not as good as being out in the sunlight.
Last winter it was enough to keep both batteries charged up though.

 

[witzend]

I'd go for some thing a bit more substantial like plastic covered box profile sheeting can be supplied in lengths to suit you as I've not seen any of the other type you've mentioned look very good after a few years better to keep the sun off the van when you can

 

[iampatman]

I used to sell roofing products. There are three thicknesses of corrugated plastic sheeting manufactured and from memory the thinnest is .7mm and the thickest 1.3mm, they'll all become brittle after a while as a result of UV light but the thicker will last longer. If you go down this route I'd suggest you make sure you get the heavy duty stuff. Box section GRP sheeting is much more durable, long lasting and expensive. It is also far more opaque than the plastic sheeting and, I suspect, would reduce the effectiveness of the solar panel. But there's another thread on at the moment discussing the effect of shade on solar panels.
Ariel Plastics are the main manufacturer of corrugated plastic sheeting, they'll have a website so it might be a good idea to have a look at the specs of the sheeting and recommended support/fixing.
Hope this helps,
Pat

 

[oldish hippy]

Fit a solar panel to the car port to keep the alrm going on motor home

 

[colinm]

Despite what you might read elsewhere those of us that actually park under a car port can tell you that yes your panel should be able to cope with any parasitic load.

 

[harrow]

I used to sell roofing products. There are three thicknesses of corrugated plastic sheeting manufactured and from memory the thinnest is .7mm and the thickest 1.3mm, they'll all become brittle after a while as a result of UV light but the thicker will last longer. If you go down this route I'd suggest you make sure you get the heavy duty stuff. Box section GRP sheeting is much more durable, long lasting and expensive. It is also far more opaque than the plastic sheeting and, I suspect, would reduce the effectiveness of the solar panel. But there's another thread on at the moment discussing the effect of shade on solar panels.
Ariel Plastics are the main manufacturer of corrugated plastic sheeting, they'll have a website so it might be a good idea to have a look at the specs of the sheeting and recommended support/fixing.
Hope this helps,
Pat

I had a look at the vistalux carport video and that was very informative.

 

[harrow]

Yes it will though at pos about 70% of light,one thing i will say as i have it on a leanto conservitory birds drop snail shells on it to break them and after a few years as it gets brittle ending up with small holes,make sure the frame is strong and has a slope to shed snow.

Trev thanks for this, I am trying to pluck up courage to have a carport with a corrugated iron cover that is strong enough to climb on, probably will never happen now.

Ps whats this snow stuff you get, down in Harrow, London its too hot for snow even in the winter.

Good Luck.

 

[trevskoda]

Trev thanks for this, I am trying to pluck up courage to have a carport with a corrugated iron cover that is strong enough to climb on, probably will never happen now.

Ps whats this snow stuff you get, down in Harrow, London its too hot for snow even in the winter.

Good Luck.

Ok the tin roof are ok but use the stuff with insulation or it will drip,then one clear g/f where solar panel is going to be under,my second workshop has the roof done this way.