Solar energy production and van storage don’t have to be mutually exclusive. You can mount solar panels underneath your roof rack in a few different ways. This enables you to generate all the necessary power while still being able to load as much cargo as possible. Although this approach might not be suitable for everyone, it is a fantastic choice for those who want to add a lot more energy to their van.
Please read this article carefully if you want to learn how to install a solar panel on your car roof.
Can I Install A Solar Panel On My Car Roof?
Undoubtedly, a solar panel can be installed beneath your van’s roof rack. Before you begin this project, you will need to take a few things into account. There are some special difficulties that mounting a solar panel underneath your roof rack presents that are not present in more conventional mounting arrangements.
Getting The Power You Need
Your power requirements should be your first and most crucial consideration. The amount of sunlight that will reach your solar panel when it is mounted beneath your roof rack must be deliberately reduced. Your overall power increase will be reduced as a result.
This level of power loss might be intolerable for some people who spend their entire lives in a van. For other van owners who use a lot of electricity, installing solar panels beneath the roof rack might not be worth the power they lose.
The last power-related point to take into account is that some solar panels experience a significant reduction in efficiency when partially shaded. When exposed to partial sunlight, monocrystalline solar panels’ overall energy output declines noticeably.
Solar Panel Durability
Solar panel sturdiness is another thing to think about. Almost any weather condition can be handled by solar panels because of their design. After all, they are made to spend the entire day and night outdoors in inclement weather.
Solar panels, however, aren’t really intended to serve as a roof rack. There is always a chance that a loose tent pole or an unexpected change in the load on your roof rack could severely harm your solar panels.
Your Roof Rack
Additionally, think about the roof rack that you’ll be using to mount your solar panels and the typical load that is placed on your roof.
You might not see much benefit from installing solar panels underneath your roof rack if you go kayaking and your roof rack is almost always crammed with gear that will block light from reaching the solar panels.
In order to install solar panels underneath your roof rack supports, they had to be mounted at a sufficient distance from one another. Under your roof rack, you might only be able to fit a small solar panel. Although your battery won’t be put through as much use, this will compensate for the charging of many electronic devices.
What Should You Take Into Account Before Buying A Solar Panel For Your Car Roof?
- How is a solar panel fastened to a rack? – Or do you need to install one first? Does your car already have a rack? This is because a rack allows you to bolt your solar panels directly to it, which is the quickest and safest method, and solar panels sit better on one.
- Type of Roof material – different roof materials need different methods of installation. If your roof is made of flat metal you can use the VHB mounting tape methods which is very efficient and strong. If your roof is made of rubber, use screw-in z brackets and lap sealant
- Roof strength – have you considered if your car roof is safe for a solar panel installation? Can you install a solar panel on an old car?
- Roof shape – is your roof curved, or is it flat? Their rigid flat ones might be suitable for flat roofs and flexible solar panels more suitable for curved roofs.
How Do I Mount A Solar Panel Under A Roof Rack?
It’s good to know that installing a solar panel underneath your roof rack is actually quite simple. The trick of this comes down to an old carpenter’s rule that we’re going to adapt for van life: “measure twice, cut once.”
The solar panel mounting instructions are provided here for your roof rack.
- You should measure everything as a first step. You should be aware of the size of the solar panels, the distance between the mounting of your roof rack and them, and the amount of roof surface area you have to work with.
- After that, everything will be dry-fitted. Ensure that both the roof rack and the solar panel mounting will fit on your roof. Don’t accept less here. When traveling at 70 mph on the highway, a minor fit issue in your driveway can turn into a serious safety concern.
- While you are dry-fitting the solar panel and the roof rack, mark any holes you need to drill with a sharpie marker. Do not overlook the cable holes for the solar panels! Drilling those holes after everything is put in place would be very challenging.
- By fastening the solar panel mount to the roof, mount your solar panel first.
- In addition to bolting down the solar panel mounting brackets and the roof, you can also glue them together with an adhesive like Loctite if you want to increase security. Clean the surfaces with rubbing alcohol, let them dry, and then do this if you want.
- Run the solar panel cables inside your van.
- Install any waterproofing that you plan to use for the solar panel. This includes any waterproof gaskets you intend to use for the solar panel’s wiring.
- Overlay the solar panel with the roof rack. To prevent harming the panel, make sure to enlist the aid of a friend.
- Install the roof rack by fastening it to the holes we made in step three.
- In order to ensure that everything fits exactly how you want it to, inspect the solar panel and roof rack.
- In the area where the mounting brackets for the roof rack and solar panel meet the van, run a bead of caulk. Leaks will be significantly reduced as a result of this.
- Allow the caulk and adhesive to dry completely in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Usually, this lasts a few days at most.
Alternatives To Mounting Solar Panels Under The Roof Rack
Try out one of the alternate options for the simplest way to install a solar panel underneath your roof rack.
Here are a few different methods for mounting solar panels that could end up saving you the trouble of attempting to have a roof that serves as both a storage area for equipment and a source of energy.
- You can always have solar panels stored on your roof rack that you remove once you’ve stopped at your next location, given that solar panels on vans are typically used to make up for the lack of charging while parked.
- Some panel van models can accommodate solar panels that are mounted on the side. You can either adjust the angle at which your van is parked to catch the rising and setting sun, or you can install your solar panels with a kickstand so that you can raise them once you are parked to catch more sunlight.
How Much Power Can A Solar Panel Mount On A Car Roof Produce?
The area of average car roof is between 30 to 40 square feet. Even if completely covered in solar panels they would generate only about 0.56 KW of power. For an electric vehicle, this is by no means sufficient.
However, it could significantly extend the range of an EV, but charging the battery while the car is moving. This concept merits investigation, but caution should be used when determining the size of the solar panels and how it will affect the warranty terms for the vehicle.