Can you mount solar above vents?

[TurnThePage]

Is there any reason not to mount solar panels above attic or tank vents?

[CA_Traveler]

13' 6" is a concert w/o solar panels. Mine are just below the A/Cs.

[bucky]

Nobody mentioned the possibility of them being ripped off by a limb or bridge etc. TTs not so much but lot's of 5ers are pushing 13'6"

[CA_Traveler]

TurnThePage wrote:
I'm in the process of planning my next (and likely last) RV. Optimizing solar will be high on the list.

That's exactly what I did in 2014. 3x 250W panels with 3x bypass diodes each, wired serial, mounted 6" above the roof and MPPT controller with battery voltage sense. No shadows from the A/Cs and better performance in sun, shade and leafy shade than parallel panels.

[TurnThePage]

This was really just an academic question. I installed a couple panels on my current trailer, making sure to avoid everything else up there. That was over 15 years ago, and it's all still going well.

I'm in the process of planning my next (and likely last) RV. Optimizing solar will be high on the list.

[Lwiddis]

Tank vents are one thing. Fridge and roof fan vents are another. Yes one one…no on two.

[Almot]

2 reasons not to mount above the vent lid: 1) if y want to be able to open it a little, you'll mount it high and there will be more air resistance when driving,
and 2) it will block the lid from fully opening, less air flow for you when camping.

#2 will be TAD countered by the shade the panel provides.

There is no reason not to mount it directly above the tank vent - I did. The roof slopes downwards there, and while the panel is ~6" above the roof at this point, it is just barely higher that the crown of the roof. You need to leave a few inches between the panel and roof anyway. Make sure there is a few degrees slope on the panel, to shed rain water and dust.

[wa8yxm]

time2roll wrote:
I see no issue unless it is a vent that would be blocked from opening.
Picture would help

I'm with Time.. As for the heat from the roof vents.. Well if it's the vent for the fridge perhaps but the other ventilation vents.. Not enough heat to worry about. plus air moving to help dissipate.

[CA_Traveler]

Higher panel height increase air circulation and keeps the panels cooler. It just works and optimizes panel roof space.

[3_tons]

time2roll wrote:
I see no issue unless it is a vent that would be blocked from opening.
Picture would help

I have one mounted slightly elevated above a sewer vent with no issues…As far as ‘truly elevated’ goes, I have a 100w and a 120w with one of their sides mounted atop the baggage rail (about 6” from rooftop - to overcome railing and air cond. shadowing) and the other side attached to the roof via fab’d (all, pop-riveted) vertical aluminum extension legs - I fabricated a 3/4” square aluminum frame for each panel to rest atop attached using 1-1/4” plumbing ‘U’ bolts (Home Depot) to secure to railing surround, and on the panels opposite open side, vertical aluminum corner legs (with rooftop attachment pads) extending down to the roof…To the roof, #10 5/8” pan head screws and caulking..Even at up to 80mph all has remained very secure 🙂

3 tons

[time2roll]

I see no issue unless it is a vent that would be blocked from opening.
Picture would help

[Second_Chance]

In the summer, attic vents exhaust heat. Solar panels generate, and therefore have to dissipate, heat. I would not mount a solar panel over an attic vent.

Rob

[pianotuna]

The taller the installation the more stress on the roof.