Mechanical Strength of Solar Panels

Submitted: Monday, Aug 24, 2009 at 18:03

ThreadID: 71756 Views:2845 Replies:3 FollowUps:2

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Dennis Ellery

I don’t need to know the technical/electrical specifications of solar panels.
I am concerned about the mechanical strength of the Poly crystalline and Mono crystalline panels (the Amorphous panels aren’t suited for my application) when they are mounted face up on the roof rack of a 4WD. I’m not concerned about their frames, but the strength of the actual solar cell panel, when mounted on their back.
Does anyone know how they stand up to vibrations caused by rough corrugations?
Regards Dennis

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Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Monday, Aug 24, 2009 at 19:20

Monday, Aug 24, 2009 at 19:20

Hi, Dennis, check out my pics. I have 3 polycrystalline panels on the roof supported only by a 40mm aluminium angle extrusion bolted around their sides, with the centres of the panels unsupported.
Been using this system since 2000 on some very rough country, with not a single problem. Had a similar setup on the previous wagon, again with no probs.
cheers, Gerry

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Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Monday, Aug 24, 2009 at 23:08

Monday, Aug 24, 2009 at 23:08

Thanks for the info Gerry - Much appreciated.
Your settup is very similar to the design I had in mind.
Regards Dennis

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Follow Up By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 at 08:33

Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 at 08:33

Hi Dennis,
The sides of my panels (forget the brand) were about 35mm deep, so fitted neatly into the aluminium angle, which was 40x40x3mm. I just bolted them at regular intervals with loktite on the nuts to ensure they wouldn't work loose. The 3 joined panels were also bolted together and those joined sides obviously provided some stiffness across the whole array. If the depth of the sides of the panels were somewhat less than the 35mm that I have, then the inner bracing may not be as strong.
Across the front, I have made a 20mm steel tube assembly which attaches the array to the roof rack and can hinge, allowing the panels to be raised. I usually only lift them if there is cloud, and I need max output, or to get gear on/off the roof rack.
Gerry

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