Caravan Solar Panels – Are Your Mounting Brackets Just Glued On?

Image source: Graeme Twine via ABC

“Glue and screw” is the message a camper trailer owner has for those installing solar panels on caravan roofs – it could save lives.

Early this month, three people died and four more were hospitalised after a multi-vehicle crash near Ross in Tasmania’s Midlands. Police believe the tragedy occurred after a driver lost control when trying to avoid a solar panel that became dislodged from a caravan. It’s not clear from the initial report how the solar panel had been fixed to the caravan.

The situation spurred Tasmanian Graeme Twine to check the solar panel mount brackets on his camper trailer – and he was shocked by what he discovered. Speaking with ABC Radio Hobart’s Mornings’ Leon Compton on Wednesday, Mr. Twine said:

“When I sort of looked at the panel, I was expecting to see some screws fixed to the roof and couldn’t see any – and it just appeared on the outside of it that it was glued, for want of better words, to the roof.”

Mr. Twine then carefully exerted upward pressure on a corner of the solar panel, which lifted.

“I proceeded to lift the other corner, and with very light pressure – an eight-year-old could have done what I was doing – and the whole thing just popped off the roof virtually.”

Image source: Graeme Twine via Leon Compton ABC/Facebook

Mr. Twine had been considering using the camper trailer in the next couple of weeks for a trip to a location around 100 kilometres away.

Only Gluing Mounting Brackets “Not Acceptable”

A builder for more than 50 years, Mr. Twine said he believed the adhesive was a type used in construction. He then checked various online forums where he found much of the advice was to just to “glue” solar panels onto caravans. He also contacted the manufacturer of the camper trailer who said they (now) “glue and screw” when panels are being fitted at the factory.

“I reckon there would be a lot of caravans and campervans out there with just glued-on solar panels – and that’s a real worry.”

Mr. Twine said if a home handyman was to install solar panels on a caravan and just purchased a normal silicone sealant for the job, that might only last three years – and even a high-end “sikaflex” type construction adhesive product wasn’t sufficient. In the case of his camper trailer, it only lasted 4 years.

“They don’t last forever and the only way to guarantee the panel to stay on the roof is to mechanically fix it with screws and adhesive sealant – and that way you’ve got peace of mind.”

Mr. Twine believes anyone with a solar panel on the roof of their caravan – even if the caravan is brand new – should confirm it has a mechanical fixing and if in doubt, consult a specialist.

After listening to the discussion, I found a number of Australian web sites advertising solar panel corner mounting brackets for caravans with the claim the brackets can be safely bonded to a surface only using a good quality silicone sealant/adhesive.

Taking the time to check how solar panels have been affixed and then remedying where necessary could avoid a road tragedy.

You can listen to the full conversation between Leon Compton and Graeme Twine here.

Original Source: https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/solar-panels-caravans-mb1724/