Solar panel brackets

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Use aluminum unistrut and once you lay out your lengths of unistrut, mark the roof and put down a 3" wide strip of Durabond RV roof repair tape under each length of strut. This will help protect the roof membrane. You can also notch the side rails of the strut and slightly bend it to match the contour of your rooftop. They also make stainless steel spring nuts for the unistrut but they can be pricey.

Sounds like a good plan

 

[Sportzfann]

I read on this forum and others that z brackets, channel rails, AM solar brackest are all used. Am I right to assume it really is a matter of preference?

I will be installing 8 Eco Worthy 195W panels on my 397. Z brackets seem to be the easiest way to install but I would think they would create a challenge should one of the panels need to be removed for any reason (would need to be removed from the roof screws as it would be difficult to remove the screw from the panel given the limited clearance).

Are L brackets commonly used?

Elios Solar Racking Aluminium L Foot Bracket

**Only the L foot - The long bolt is not included. Used when installing photovoltaic systems, this essential component ensures that the solar panels are properly attached to the racks.

volts.ca

Oldcow

I recommend the unistrut also, I installed mine with VHB tape and screws into the truss. I was able to add tilting brackets later on, with no Trouble at all.
I can clean below them also or change out a panel if needed, without adding more holes in the roof. The strut gives you options.

 

[COGrandDes]

For my installation, I used Z brackets. These were good. First I attached them to the panels, then used the self-tapping bolts to attach them to the roof. I would have to remove the bracket if work needed to be done since the bolts securing the brackets to the panels aren't accessible now.

I also installed my (8) panels the same way that Soundsailor did and they work great. If you use the butyl and eternabond tape with the right screws....it's very securely fastened and is easily removed if needed. I've already removed my factory panel to add more of my new panels and it took 5 mins to remove the factory which was fastened the way I noted above. I just followed the simple way that's used by the RV manufacturers and it works and is easy. The panels are very secure. There is no flex or concerns of them coming off while driving if you follow this method.

 

[Oldcow]

I purchased some unistruts finally. The were 1/3 of the price at the electrical wholesaler than Home Depot. Also got the spring nuts. I'll post up pics when it's done. The system install is going well so far.

Oldcow

 

[IBEW Sparky]

I purchased some unistruts finally. The were 1/3 of the price at the electrical wholesaler than Home Depot. Also got the spring nuts. I'll post up pics when it's done. The system install is going well so far.

Oldcow

Looking forward to seeing your pictures... hopefully you purchased aluminum unistrut and not steel. Also nothing wrong with Z brackets other than the fact that you need 2 screws for each bracket...4 solar panels equates to 32 screw holes in the roof. You'll use half as many (or less) with the unistrut. Also if you turn your solar panels the opposite way that Sportzfann did you'll fit one more panel on the same amount of strut.

 

[Oldcow]

Looking forward to seeing your pictures... hopefully you purchased aluminum unistrut and not steel. Also nothing wrong with Z brackets other than the fact that you need 2 screws for each bracket...4 solar panels equates to 32 screw holes in the roof. You'll use half as many (or less) with the unistrut. Also if you turn your solar panels the opposite way that Sportzfann did you'll fit one more panel on the same amount of strut.

I did get galvanized steel. Are you concerned with weight? Aluminum I could not find and the ones I did see were too expensive.

Oldow

 

[huntindog]

I read on this forum and others that z brackets, channel rails, AM solar brackest are all used. Am I right to assume it really is a matter of preference?

I will be installing 8 Eco Worthy 195W panels on my 397. Z brackets seem to be the easiest way to install but I would think they would create a challenge should one of the panels need to be removed for any reason (would need to be removed from the roof screws as it would be difficult to remove the screw from the panel given the limited clearance).

Are L brackets commonly used?

Elios Solar Racking Aluminium L Foot Bracket

**Only the L foot - The long bolt is not included. Used when installing photovoltaic systems, this essential component ensures that the solar panels are properly attached to the racks.

volts.ca

Oldcow

Z backets are easy and LIGHT. Removal would be harder..OTOH, solar panels are VERY reliable....Probably the most reliable item on an RV. So having to remove one would be a rare event.
Rails etc add needless weight,that will always be there.

I used Z brackets 5 years ago, and have not regreted it.

 

[Oldcow]

Z backets are easy and LIGHT. Removal would be harder..OTOH, solar panels are VERY reliable....Probably the most reliable item on an RV. So having to remove one would be a rare event.
Rails etc add needless weight,that will always be there.

I used Z brackets 5 years ago, and have not regreted it.

I don't disagree with your comments. For me, I am thinking if I decide to change panels, add panels etc. The weight will be about 80 lbs. I am thinking it will make it easier to screw into the cross sections and help distribute the snow weight over the roof.

Oldcow

 

[huntindog]

I don't disagree with your comments. For me, I am thinking if I decide to change panels, add panels etc. The weight will be about 80 lbs. I am thinking it will make it easier to screw into the cross sections and help distribute the snow weight over the roof.

Oldcow

I knew exactly zero about solar when I got my Momentum. The factory solar had some issues that I was able to fix with knowledge I got from this forum. By the time I got it fixed I knew enough to be comfortable adding more. I ended up expanding it 3 times. I have panels pretty evenly distributed across the roof. This is a big advantage, as one never knows just what the camping situation will be and what areas of the roof will be shaded. Using a strut/rail system would limit panel placement.....Snow load is not an issue for Z brackets...I have the pics to prove it.
And I can tell you that solar will not work when the panels have snow on them

 

[IBEW Sparky]

I did get galvanized steel. Are you concerned with weight? Aluminum I could not find and the ones I did see were too expensive.

Oldow

While I wouldn't want the extra weight I would be more concerned with the galvanized steel eventually rusting and staining the roof. After working with galvanized stut in the electrical trade for over 40 years take my word on it, no matter what anyone tells you the galvanized strut WILL eventually rust in spots and the rust marks will run across sloped areas of your roof. To me the slight extra cost for aluminum in the grand scheme of the entire solar project isn't that much more money... it all depends on what you want your roof to look like in the future. Many places sell aluminum strut in different lengths, layout your panels, and order strut according to your needs. If you can, find a place that has reasonable pricing on 10' lengths and pick it up rather than having it shipped to save money.
Here's one place that sells 5' lengths in quantities of 2 for less than $27...

https://www.zoro.com/zoro-select-single-channel-strut-slotted-aluminum-plain-916-in-x-1-18-in-hole-size-silver-fs-500ss-al-6000/i/G3345478/?variantSelection=Length

 

[Sportzfann]

I did get galvanized steel. Are you concerned with weight? Aluminum I could not find and the ones I did see were too expensive.

Oldow

Old cow, interested in seeing your roof panel setup when your finished.
I agree with IBEW Sparky about the aluminum strut much lighter than the galv strut, a little more cost. I chose the galv strut because it was easy to source. The layout on the roof was placed long ways on the roof because, I planned to place tilting brackets on my panels, (longest tilt brackets I could find was 44” L) also when placed the other direction it creates a pathway for me to walk on the roof, without being on the roof edge. The AC unit and the roof vent were to tight for two panels to fit, my panels are 71”x40” 325W ea. not sure about your rig, they all seem to have obstacles on the roof to work around. YMMV

 

[Oldcow]

Old cow, interested in seeing your roof panel setup when your finished.
I agree with IBEW Sparky about the aluminum strut much lighter than the galv strut, a little more cost. I chose the galv strut because it was easy to source. The layout on the roof was placed long ways on the roof because, I planned to place tilting brackets on my panels, (longest tilt brackets I could find was 44” L) also when placed the other direction it creates a pathway for me to walk on the roof, without being on the roof edge. The AC unit and the roof vent were to tight for two panels to fit, my panels are 71”x40” 325W ea. not sure about your rig, they all seem to have obstacles on the roof to work around. YMMV

Looks good and yes I will post pics. I could not find any aluminum here is eastern Canada and the ones I saw online would have been $1K rather than $250. I am already over budget so I made a call Mine are cut and ready to go. I will paint them with rust paint and watch for any streaking as mentioned by Sparky (love the name). There are no solar system intsallers around here but I did find a good shop with good people that are doing it with me. Together we have researched and will do the best we can. I for one, am not really good at "building" stuff.

Oldcow

 

[Sportzfann]

Looks good and yes I will post pics. I could not find any aluminum here is eastern Canada and the ones I saw online would have been $1K rather than $250. I am already over budget so I made a call Mine are cut and ready to go. I will paint them with rust paint and watch for any streaking as mentioned by Sparky (love the name). There are no solar system intsallers around here but I did find a good shop with good people that are doing it with me. Together we have researched and will do the best we can. I for one, am not really good at "building" stuff.

Oldcow

I don’t recall any rust streaks from the roof hardware at this time, the system has been up there for about 2 years now, so far so good.
I check the hardware from time to time for loose fasteners and have found none.
I have about 10,000 miles on the trailer since installing.

 

[Redapple63]

On my set up, the provided 4 brackets are working fine. It doesn't appear that flex is an issue.

Same here. My panels have been in place since 2022 with no issues. In fact, in the process of adding two more 200-watt panels for a total of 1200 watts on the roof.

Bill