Any problems with solar burns on stick on roof panels?

gulfarea

Do you have anything under them to cool them like corragated plastic? I am thinking about adding flexable solar to my 320. It does get hot in Mobile Al. Thanks in advance ART

RMo

We we put ours directly the roof and had no issues during last summer’s heat in Utah, California, Oregon and Montana for 3 weeks.  Not much time, but the temps were often between 95 and 105.

SLJ

All the 320s have them now.  A version of this is what comes on the 320 from the factory.
https://ok4wd.com/brands/sunflare-solar/sunflare-solar-sunflare-105w-solar-panel-sunflex35-nr-105w-ok
The company told me they recommend Sikaflex to attach the panels.

Sharon_is_SAM

I think the early flexible panels had issues related to a lack of an air gap/heat accumulation, but that no longer seems to be an issue.  Having said that, flexible panels have a shorter lifespan than the rigid, glass panels.  

gulfarea

@Sharon_is_SAM Thanks for the reply, do you know if nucamp is now installing anything under the flexable solar panels to make an air space or just putting them down right over the top roof? Again thanks for the reply and all you do for this forum. Art

rfuss928

Some "stick on" solar panels rely on the base material to act as a heat sink for the panels.  Isolating or insulating the panel from the substrate could easily result in panel overheating and premature failure.  My Unisolar panels had specific requirements of this type.  They are over 10 years old and still performing like new as far as I can tell.

Sharon_is_SAM

@rfuss928 - that is good longevity for the flexible panels.  Did your panels adhere directly to the TaB or were they underlayed?

@gulfarea - I do not know how nuCamp applies the panels.  Please reach out to tech@nucamprv.com.

RMo

Sharon_is_SAM said:

I think the early flexible panels had issues related to a lack of an air gap/heat accumulation, but that no longer seems to be an issue.  Having said that, flexible panels have a shorter lifespan than the rigid, glass panels.  

Agreed that the lifespan of flexible panels can be a real issue.  If you want to buy flexible panels for the long term, CIGS panels are the recommended type. They do better in partial shade and they maintain their efficiency for longer.  Not surprisingly, they are more expensive.  Here is a link to some info..

https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-panels.html

gulfarea

@rfuss928 I like your racing stripe looks. I looked up your solar panels but looks like they are no longer in buisness. Thanks so much for your info and I wish your panels many more years of good health! Art

rh5555

We did an after-market solar install.  We designed it so that the panels could be relatively easily removed and remote-mounted when the campsite is shady.  We added foil-sided bubble-wrap insulation behind the panels - it helps reduce the heat uptake of the trailer when out in the sun.  Panels don't seem to mind getting hot.

Note:  These are old pictures - I modified the leading edge attachment after one panel blew out in a major wind.  Otherwise they have held up well.

tomtek

I had the same unipolar panels as rfuss has on my 09 DM T@B.  I purchased them on eBay at the time and they were peel and stick right on the roof.    Always had great charge coming from them for years until sold and I assume new owner has the same.   They got pretty dented up in a hail storm and still didn't seem to slow them down.   It was never stored in the shade and had a number of years in the hot Kansas sun.  

The 2021 CS-S factory solar seems to be about half of what my unisolar panels gave me.    I would like another matching factory panel on the back of the CS-S.   Unable to find the same factory panel model with back connections.   

Picture from the day we took delivery on the 2021 CS-S.   

rfuss928

The Unisolar panels actually had building and roofing material ratings including approval for use in FL hurricane regions.  I think a lot of the panels available are not intended for the harsh environment of permanent roofing.  These durability characteristics were a significant feature to me when I was choosing which panels to buy.  The flexibility and "peel an stick" installation sealed the deal.  I don't know if anything similar is currently available.