Stick on solar panels for camper shells?

[craig333]

With regular panels they want an air gap to dissipate heat underneath the panel. How do these panels get away from needing that?

[skysix]

Actually I talked to a guy here who is developing a solar mat that has glycol tubes running through it. The idea is that the panel is cooled slightly by the glycol and the heat is transferred to the hot water tank. So more efficient solar electricity and solar hot water in one mat. He’s hoping to have one available for the RV market in the not too distant future.

Nice to see this coming. Was told many times that using a coolant to improve solar efficiency at the same time a capturing that waste heat for water heating etc was impractical. Especially on an RV.

[sozomuse]

Has anyone attempted to remove the panels? I understand UniSolar panels are designed for permanent steel channel roof installations, but there was a batch removed from a large installation with a heat gun on eBay that sold close to the new price. It would be interesting to know how removing these panels from a fiberglass roof affected the fiberglass.

Any performance reports would be welcome also.

Thanks, Roger

[GreginSocal]

I just put two of these panels on my TC. I have read all tutorials and watch all youtube videos. From my information, once you put it down, it is there for good. It was the only drawback if you sell your rig, the panels go with. I personally wouldn't buy any of these panels that were taken off unless it was a great price ($50/68w). If they still work.......you will have to attach with a new 3M adhesive (not cheap). Buy new, get the warranty. It is a 15 year warranty.

[whatcharterboat]

From my information, once you put it down, it is there for good. It was the only drawback if you sell your rig, the panels go with. I personally wouldn't buy any of these panels that were taken off unless it was a great price ($50/68w). If they still work.......you will have to attach with a new 3M adhesive (not cheap). Buy new, get the warranty.

Once they are down, they don't come off........if you try to peel them up the cell gets creased and ruined. I wouldn't risk it with a heat gun...could be wrong.

With regular panels they want an air gap to dissipate heat underneath the panel. How do these panels get away from needing that?

They are amorphous cells with different characteristics to poly or multi-crystalline cells. Therefore they are virtually uneffected by heat (this is called cell temp de-rating) .....the so called "more efficient panels" suck as far as cell temp de-rating ............ and low sun angle and partial shading and mounting flat on a roof instead of at the correct sun angle and hail damage and .......

[rsbones]

Apparently Uni-Solar has gone bankrupt. Are there any other companies making a similar product?

[SkiFreak]

Apparently Uni-Solar has gone bankrupt.

Sad, but true.

At the time of writing this some UniSolar panels were still available online, but you obviously do not get any warranty, given the company has gone belly up.
For me that was a risk worth taking, given that these are a very well made panel.

[susswein]

The 68 watt uni-solar are available again. If you're willing to deal without a junction box (solder leads on yourself) they're selling for under $100 on ebay. There's also at least one compant selling them with junction panels for $99. Hit me up if you need the link.

[whatcharterboat]

We're trying something new.......will see how they go before we pass any judgement or post any further info but thought you might like to see a pic (below). About 3 mm thick and need to be glued on. Could be the future in stick-on if Uni-Solar stay out of production.

You can just make out the junction box and the series cables at the far end.

image.jpg

[westyss]

Hi John, is that an amorphous panel? Looks like that one is a more managable size than the shortest unisolar one, I did read somewhere in a business magazine about unisolar coming back from bankruptcy, have you heard of anything?

Oh, and merry xmass and happy new year to all!