I have lost the flexible solarpanels from the van roof they were glued with sitkaflex to a polycarbonate twinwall panel and then to the roof. They have been okay for more than 12 months but they blew off yesterday. The bond between the panel and the polycarbonate a nd the roof to polycarbonate failed. What have others used successfully? It appears to me that sitkaflex and polycarbonate dont like each other
-- Edited by phum on Saturday 14th of March 2020 08:27:18 PM
Hi. I made up two aluminium brackets bent to clip over the front of the panel then over the roof and bent over the front. I then screwed in horizontal to the panel and also horizontal into the front of the roof. I dont like screwing down through the roof.
I notice your panels and top of van look like mine. I have been unable to clean my panels or roof for quite a few months due to no water available as where I have been were buying water in. Also and as well even due to not being able to limb ladders now I have to find someone that will do the job for me. I got lucky and a mate where I am now did it the other day and the bucket of soapy water was more like mud in the end. Result, cleaner roof and panels now, yippee.
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
not many adhesives work with polycarbonate but the issue for you was more likely differential expansion rates.
FLEXIBLE solar panels should not be glued down to anything, only attached by the edges.
Not many have had long term success with flexy panels on a roof
We have had flexible panels on our van for six years with no bonding issues at all, with modern adhesives I can't see any problems at all as they are very compliant. However the first set that died were done with an adhesive that was not UV stable and it was in a very bad way when they were replaced with our current ones
