Preventing Solar Panels from being pinched?

[GlenBlk]

Is there anyway of firmly securing solar panels to the roof without bolting them right through?

thanks.

[Grace and Favour]

You can chain them to handrails

You can stick their brackets with Sikaflex or Marineflex

I bolted mine right through using Rivnuts

[GlenBlk]

You can chain them to handrails

You can stick their brackets with Sikaflex or Marineflex

I bolted mine right through using Rivnuts

Thanks for the reply.

Do you have any idea how good that Sikaflex sticks?

[FadeToScarlet]

Depends on the type of panel. Ours are thin, flexible, and look just like dark patches on the roof- they don't look like solar panels.

 

They're stuck down with VHB tape, and the edges sealed with Sikaflex, I wouldn't like to try and get them off.

[junior]

Mine are stuck down with Sikaflex, there is no way they are coming off.

[Bones]

Depends on the type of panel. Ours are thin, flexible, and look just like dark patches on the roof- they don't look like solar panels.

They're stuck down with VHB tape, and the edges sealed with Sikaflex, I wouldn't like to try and get them off.

I will be interested to see how these fair over time. I've always thought that condensation will form between the two layers which will rot the steel.

Is there anyway of firmly securing solar panels to the roof without bolting them right through?

thanks.

I welded some right angle brackets on to my roof and bolted the solar panels to them.

[Albion]

The Sikaflex that I used on the solar panel brackets for my boat has a big warning that you should absolutely ensure correct placement before final gluing because they will not be responsible if you mis-locate the brackets. I would say that the stuff is remarkably strong. However, it will obviously depend on the quality of the paintwork, and any non-slip treatment if present, underneath where the brackets are adhered as if that isn't soundly applied then the Sikaflex is only as good as the surface adhesion of what it is applied to.

Roger

[GlenBlk]

Thanks so once the brackets are stuck down are there some kind of security bolts/nuts that you use to fix the panel to the brackets or do you use sikaflex on those too?

Edited November 24, 2013 by GlenBlk

[Albion]

No, mine are just secured by screws but you could use Allen headed or torx headed screws to make them less vulnerable as any scrotes are unlikely to have the required tools to do the job.

Roger

[Rich]

I fixed ours with pop rivets. There will at least be a noise if someone tries to drill them out.

[GlenBlk]

I fixed ours with pop rivets. There will at least be a noise if someone tries to drill them out.

Ahh yes that's a good idea thanks.

[berth]

50x50mm of Sikaflex 252, >5mm thick, would hold 1 ton.

Edited November 24, 2013 by berth

[matty40s]

I reckon you could lift Juniors boat by the solar panels then....

[Biggles]

I used security screws. Ones with a star drive with a pole up the middle so the tool has to have a hole. OK it's not 100% but it deters the casual. Oh and I used 3" screws when 1/4" would have done (because it takes time) to get 16 long bastards out of them out on each panel.