installing massive 250 watts solar panel. What way.

[Pedroski]

Hi!
I've just bought my 250W solar panel and it strike me how big this thing is (1640*990*40mm /5.4feet*3.2feet*1/2inch). I needed this wattage as I'm full time living in my camper in South 2 England over winter.
Now I'm curious of which way to position this unit. Space wise I can do it both long or side way. I'll be using two L shaped aluminum profiles and sikaflex 512. Already have two lenghts of aluminum to cover 2x165 if i choose to mount it long way. The problem i see whit it is that I'll be struggling to insert nuts on the side of the panel as I'm planning at least 8 points of bolting per side. Also I'm thinking that this might affect air flow. Therfore i wad thinking about cutting profiles in 3 x 30cm pieces and power 2 side and space then apart giving space for both nut access and airflow.
Then again i could just plank it sideway using 2x40cm per side. However I'm seriously worry about panel trying to lift during motorway ride and breaking glass for instance. Now I quite regret i didn't went for 2x100 watts.
Anyway it was quite cheep (120£) hence dilemma right now.
Any thoughts, advices?
Many thanks.
Peter.

 

[Tbear]

I am sure one of the people that knows a lot more about this than me will be along soon but mean time. May I suggest that if you are using solar in winter in this country, you consider using a hinge such as is used for double glazing so that you can get your panel to face the sun. I appreciate that weight is a factor but may be worth looking at.

 

[yeoblade]

I fitted my 250W panel lengthways, but that was the only room I had.

Using 8 x 100 mm long ally fixing brackets positioned 2 per edge, these were fixed with sikafix 512 to the roof. Having covered 5,000 miles without problem I'm sure it's there to stay.

At this time of the year I see it is still putting over 1 amp into the system, if needed, even on a winters cloudy day. I wouldn't worry too much about cooling air flow, as long as there is a gap for the air flow, with a bigger panel the losses due to temp loss is not so relevent.

 

[Pedroski]

I fitted my 250W panel lengthways, but that was the only room I had.

Using 8 x 100 mm long ally fixing brackets positioned 2 per edge, these were fixed with sikafix 512 to the roof. Having covered 5,000 miles without problem I'm sure it's there to stay.

I'm not so much worried about brackets coming of the roof but panel glass working and glass breaking.
I take no such experience? While driving on highways can you hear any noise from roof which would suggest that panel is "working" under the wind?

 

[Pedroski]

I am sure one of the people that knows a lot more about this than me will be along soon but mean time. May I suggest that if you are using solar in winter in this country, you consider using a hinge such as is used for double glazing so that you can get your panel to face the sun. I appreciate that weight is a factor but may be worth looking at.

My first thought before researching whole subject was to put it on some sort of sun tracker. But I've learn that when it comes to solars it's all about gain to effort. I know I'd get a bit of extra from adjusting panel towards the sun but with no roof access and size of the panel i think I'll just stick to planking it flat on the roof. Thanks for your advice!

 

[legin]

I have been thinking about this for the last few days as of now i have one 100w pannel but want two, there is not the room for both of them ( 2 sunroofs) if possable.
so i was just thinking if i use the other one for when i park up to get max sun angle when the sun not over head no more, just an ider as i was reading this post.