How To Attach Solar Panels To Roof Rack

For this application the combiner box was installed near the unistrut to eliminate the need to run the solar panel cables along the roof.

How to attach solar panels to roof rack.

Adjust the rack to fit the mounting holes. If you can t get ahold of u bolts drill through the rack put an old towel underneath to catch the metal shavings and use bolts and nuts with both flat washers and spring washers to make sure it s held tight. Instead building codes call for protection from upforce. Usually the solar panels will come rebuilt with an easy to fasten panel to mount interface.

My setup because it keeps the panel at an angle is pretty simple to remove if i want to park in the shade put the panel in the sun. How i mounted a 130w solar panel on the roof racks of my 4wd. Make sure that the solar panels are off the roof by at least a quarter of a foot. Fasten the solar panels to the mounts.

Installing the solar panels onto the unistrut. In other cases roofs are simply too complex with too many vents and odd angles to support a large array of solar panels so ground mount may be the only option. Nabcep certified technical sales professional. So are thousands of other diyers.

We built this diy unistrut solar panel roof rack from scratch using materials from home depot and lowes and we ordered the solar panels and solar cables online. How do you all attach solar panels to the roof of your van. The mounts themselves have to be drilled into your roof s rafters but not because the panels themselves are heavy. Airflow helps the panels operate at peak efficiency.

If you have enough space available you can mount your panels in a specially engineered rack structure affixed to the ground. 200w of solar panels on the roof rack. Solar panels are designed to be easily and durably mounted to racks that attach to roof mounts. The panel goes over the top of mounted maxtrax but still allows your to access them.

Continue reading below to see the full parts list and step by step instructions. Wow your 4runner is older than mine how many miles on it. Both cone connector sizes are available at big box hardware stores. Easiest way to mount is to drill through the roof rack and bolt to it add some isolation washers to the assembly.

General information about solar roof mounting. Installing the solar panels is done by using unistrut cone connectors 1 4 inch or 3 8 inch to attach to the slotted steel l brackets. If you placed the roof rack cross bars close together you could mount it using only split pipe hangers. Learn about diy solar.