solar panels

[Nitehawk]

I have a 2018 outback 293 UBH I have 4 x 100 watt solar panels that I want to attach to my roof. I would like to make a racking system that will go across my roof that I can attach my panels too . I have made the panels so that I can tilt them individually. These I will attach to the roof rack.
My question is am I better to attach the primary roof rack the the flat of the roof or would i be better to make brackets the sit on the roof but get bolted to the side.
" double L brackets " this would prevent me from putting holes in the roof membrane
I know that the roof is made of Luan plywood and i should not walk on it and this makes me think that the less weight on it the better.
Thank for any and all input

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk

I have a 2018 outback 293 UBH I have 4 x 100 watt solar panels that I want to attach to my roof. I would like to make a racking system that will go across my roof that I can attach my panels too . I have made the panels so that I can tilt them individually. These I will attach to the roof rack.
My question is am I better to attach the primary roof rack the the flat of the roof or would i be better to make brackets the sit on the roof but get bolted to the side.
" double L brackets " this would prevent me from putting holes in the roof membrane
I know that the roof is made of Luan plywood and i should not walk on it and this makes me think that the less weight on it the better.
Thank for any and all input

I am not recommending this method of installing but I was intrigued with not having to drill into the roof.
It “seems” like it would be strong enough but I don’t know

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvMYv7afUWM

[Nitehawk]

I looked at this method before and am intrigued by i.t I was actually looking for a side to side method but might just do this. my only issue is my roof is rubber butyl skin and his method is on a solid fiberglass top. afraid the wind might tear up the roof skin

[BandT]

I used uni-strut for mounting my solar panels, it works well. I was going to mount it with the seal tape, but I noticed it would leave sticky exposed at at all the other openings! Dirt, leaves, needles, etc. would get stuck to it. So I tried to find cross members and screwed it down, sealed with dicor.

[Torchster]

Hmm. I like him (Tito). He sure is smarter than I am. I am no expert. But I know that temperature is the enemy of electronics. What I have also learned is that the hotter a panel gets, the less electricity it makes. That is almost a flush mounted system, which doesn't give the panels much of a chance to breath. The roof of an RV is hot place to begin with. My guess is that you can find brackets that are designed to work with your panels.

[peanut]

A well regarded solar company - AMSolar - has this to say about attachment.
I know that many may not agree but they have been in business for over 30 years and should know what they are talking about. Personally, I would use their method AND then add a complete layer of Eternabond tape around every mount.

Also, I know their hardware can be pricey but if you have or know someone with a brake or are moderately mechanical and a MacGyver mind type, you could make your own mounts using theirs as templates. Their tilt bar seems ingenious to me (maybe it's not and I'm just simple).

And no - I don't work for them or have even used them or bought anything from them. I am a retired carpenter. I just google - a lot - when I am researching projects and ran across them that way.