Motorized roof mount?

[justinm001]

Bought a Prevost coach and need to move my 30x 100w renogy panels from my old rv to this one. The new one is 40ft with a sloped roof and 5 ACs on top so I'm thinking about covering the whole roof with panels in 2 rows (drivers and passengers) then having them on hinges with some linear actuators so they can lift upto 90 degrees to track the sun and also so I can still have full access to the roof.

Only problem I see is I have those huge brackets on the inside of my awnings and the solar panels will be over the awnings. BTW one 1 side has real awnings the others are just casings for looks.

 

[eXodus]

I would see those brackets as an advantage - since you need to get above the A/C units anyhow. You can mount a racking system on them.

Yes two rows of panels - but hinge only on one side of the RV. The rear row would be shaded by the front - so no point in making up two hinges.

 

[justinm001]

Here's what I have so far. 18 panels using door hinges on the side then I have threaded rods with aluminum angle on both sides that screw together. They're at a decent angle maybe 15deg. The problem I'm having now is the other side I'll need the same angle to get over the AC's (actually they'll both be greater as we're replacing ACs with taller ones) so I'm planning on mounting them together so they all lift as 1 large array and the middle bracket is just a support when stationary.

This means if I lift them the 2 rows will be 30-40 degrees different so I'm not sure how that'll affect solar input. I'm not sure if it makes most sense to have it angled so one row is perfectly angled with the sun or put it right between so each side is close enough. Maybe having them motorized isn't worth the effort and it's best to try and park at a better angle.

I'm hoping i'll have the new AC's installed today so can start adding the 2nd row next week.