Removable solar panel roof mount

[Vspec]

In a perfect example of procrastination and analysis paralysis, instead of figuring out how I am gonna insulate the wall (gonna but much easier to figure out when the walls panelling is off - to my defence), I am trying to figure out a way to roof mount my solar panels is in a removable way.

The CTC spends the entire winter sleeping outside and gets covered in snow, which needs to be removed thus negating any permanent mounting on the roof.

My first idea was to us gutter style bracket like these:

With a gutter foot like:


But the price escalated quickly and I could not find an 84" bar.

The best I could find is this:

https://www.etrailer.com/Enclosed-Trailer-Parts/Rackem/RA-28.html

I would need to trim it as I want it to mount as close as possible to the roof.

Any other solution that I am missing that would not prevent snow from being shovelled off?

I am not against some minor fabrication, but I do not posses a welder nor to do I want to weld stuff for the moment. I also thought of some kind of rail system that I could screw on both sides and could mount additional things to it (like an awning).

[hankaye]

Vspec, Howdy;

I'm sure that if you do a search you'll find several ideas to help with the " analysis paralysis ".
I like the term by-the-way. Those are 2 spendy items your looking at to do the job.
My first thought was to create an 'A' frame that would shed the snow or some other temp. type
structure as every time you loosen then re-tighten a fastener you weaken it, would hate to
hear your panels had gone flying on their own. Not a good thing.

hank

[tony.latham]

The CTC spends the entire winter sleeping outside and gets covered in snow, which needs to be removed thus negating any permanent mounting on the roof.

I get the snow removal issue. But what about mounting them permanently and placing a piece of plywood over the panels to protect them during snow removal? You could probably zip tie the ply in place so they wouldn't get moved.



T

[Vspec]

We had a pretty bad winter with lots of freezing rain which snow/ice removal a PITA.

I also have a paranoia of having the roof leak, thus I am trying to make no holes whatsoever in the roof. Having a rack mounted to the sides would solve all these issues.

Said rack(s) would only come on/off once a season, I am not against leaving it(them) on permanently as they would minimally affect snow removal. The panels however would need to come off. The panels (2) would bolted to the rack with nylock nuts and such.

Off Topic:
As per the analysis paralysis, I have pretty much over searched the issue, and really until I take the panelling down, I don't now for sure how much thickness I have to play with. If I did not care I would just spray foam but one of the ethos of this build is that pretty much everything has to be removable (the other part is that everything must as light as possible). I have had good results with EPS on the ceiling but right now the plan is "reflectix" with double sided tape and alu tape to seal it. It would leave room to run whatever wiring I need. My goals are to prevent radiant heat to warm up the inside and dampen the vibrations that the skin transmit.

[John61CT]

big tarp over the top, 2x4 from the ground give it a center ridgeline, sloping down either side

get out there get the snow off before gets too heavy

[Vspec]

big tarp over the top, 2x4 from the ground give it a center ridgeline, sloping down either side

get out there get the snow off before gets too heavy

Tarp will not hold off 1.5inch thick frozen rain. Trailer is parked about 15min away from my house, I try to go clean it up after each storm / once a week.

[John61CT]

Still easier / cheaper to make-shift an A-frame IMO than a quality removable panel frame / mount system.

[Rainier70]

How many solar panels and how large?

[tony.latham]

Take a look at this video at about 1:38.



It's not exactly the solution but it may give you an idea.

I think one of the big problems with removable panels is the issue with the cables.

Tony

[hankaye]

Vspec, Howdy;

What tony.latham was showing in the video would be a great solution. Anchor
your mounting tabs on the roof supports and use a layer of Bytul putty tape in
between the tabs and the roof to ensure weather tightness. Good to go.

hank

[McDave]

Is the roof galvanized? If so maybe big magnets for the feet of the rack. If not maybe suction cup devices like you see for attaching things to
tables/ workbenches etc.? Industrial strength hook and loop (Velcro)?
Just brainstorming here...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy6ST4bjy0s
https://sciencing.com/velcro-6470547.html

McDave

[Vspec]

Panels are 40" x 26" and there are two of em for a total of 200w and they would be placed on either side of the roof vent. That being said, these panel are no-names (Noma brand) and maybe replaced at some point in the future.

Roof is a single uninterrupted sheet of aluminium, I'd like to keep it that way as much as possible.

As per the cable issue, I would have a disconnect-able connecting port somewhere on the roof. Right now I have a very DIY solution with ~25' of 14G cables that does not seem to affect too much what I get from the panel. Yes I am aware this less than idea but this is only temporary /experimenting phase till I commit 100%.

I like the brainstorming and left field ideas, that I why I came here to ask for ideas

[hankaye]

Vspec, Howdy;

You'll still need to break the integrity of the roof to drop your wires to the inside.
Here's a quick search I did to give you a few ideas;
viewtopic.php?f=42&t=65498&start=2175
You can also search for installing the panels, just use that Google Custom search
box in the header.

hank

[McDave]

Ok, here is one more from left field. I'll bet you already have a set or two of these.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pony-Adjust ... /100132368



McDave

[beachguy005]

Seems I recall seeing someone here use strut for their panels. You can use this to build your roof rack and attach the panels using their mounting brackets bolted to the strut.
you could even leave the panels attached to the cross beams and disconnect the at the 4 uprights using L brackets. You would probably need some help moving the 2 panels mounted to the 2 cross beams. At least it would be quicker than taking the panels off the cross beams separately.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Superstrut- ... /202714280