weight of panels for pop top.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I want to install an array of solar panels to the top of a pop-top camper and while I understand the innefficiencies of laying them flat, the height of the pop-top will make re-positioning them through the day difficult.

Are there particular panels that are more recommended for flat mounting on a camper/caravan?

What about weight and panel height. If the panels are too heavy I will need to upgrade the gas-struts. Are there panels that ware lighter than others, possibly with a lower frame profile? Will they travel at highway speed without risking panel damage?

[brettphillips43]

G'day cobber. You have many options. It really depends on how handy you are. If weight is a factor, i would suggest that you buy the actual individual cells and lay them directly on the roof of the pop top. Once you connect them together, glue them down then seal them in place. Just need a bit of patience is all. Buying the cells versus buying pre built panels, you will end up with more power for your dollar. Hope this helped. Cheers, Brett

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thanks Brett, clear as mud.

I assume that you don't mean buying hundreds of individual cells and joining them together? Sounds a nightmare to me!

[THE BOOGER]

Thanks Brett, clear as mud.

I assume that you don't mean buying hundreds of individual cells and joining them together? Sounds a nightmare to me!

Yep that's what he means have seen it done before if you are at thre shed later this week I have a 120 watt and a 180 watt set up you can see they will stand up to hwy speeds on the roof but are a little on the hefty side for your truck may cause a little extra body sway

[simonmelb]

Are there panels that ware lighter than others, possibly with a lower frame profile? Will they travel at highway speed without risking panel damage?

Yes and Yes.

Thin film solar (flexible) panels will do what you want.

See the examples at Kimberley Campers site.

There are several panel suppliers in Oz.

Cheers
Simon

[Lotz-A-Landies]

<snip> ... they will stand up to hwy speeds on the roof but are a little on the hefty side for your truck may cause a little extra body sway

Its not called a creepy crawly (gogga = Afrikaans) for nothing.

You don't want to be doing high speed turns in that one!

I'm going to replace the missing front anti-roll bar by cannibalising one off one of my donor SIIB.

[zulu Delta 534]

Diana, there are panels and panels but having gone down this road a couple of years ago I now have unfixed portable (Free range) panels.
The main reason for this was that when we were camping down along the Murray a couple of years ago with our panels fixed to our van roof, it meant that we had to situate our camp out in the broad sunlight all day, even when the temperature exceeded the 40 deg mark, simply to keep batteries up to scratch. (In three months I was forced to use a generator only one afternoon - and I hate generators with a vengeance in camping situations.) This was a bit heart breaking when there were so many beautiful shady areas available.
(Jingellic common - in front of the pub, was a prime example - 41 degs. and we were in the open. Batteries kept up but the poor old heat exchange fridge gave up. The Waeco enjoyed it though.)

Since using "free range" panels, so far, none have ever been knocked off; to the contrary, there have been times when we have returned to camp to find that someone else has moved our panels to follow the sun in our absence!
Keep Corowa in mind in the heat of the summer!
Regards
Glen