Sealed solar panel roof. Possible?

[yabert]

Let take twelve 400-500W panels and build a roof with them.
Not other roof under the panels, the panels are used as a roof. Of course, there is a structure to hold the panels.
Is it possible to create a sealed roof?

I know there is edge trim stip available to put between panels, but there will always have some leak at intersection (picture).
It's also probably possible to fixe the panels and then apply sealant on every crack and intersection, but this don't look reliable to me.

So, is there solution to create a sealed solar panel roof?

 

[chill633]

Yes, this is what some of the carport/gazebo companies do. See Chiko and Infinity Rack as examples.

 

[Kornbread]

Yes, this is what some of the carport/gazebo companies do. See Chiko and Infinity Rack as examples.

Looks like some kind of gutter network under the panels?

 

[wpns]

Pretty sure you want some kind of expansion joint between panels, so something with some compliance. Those trim strips don’t look awful, but there’ll be intersections and then collision points with the clamps unless you do a completely underneath fastening system. So lots of caulk, something structural, sounds like a nightmare in addition to being disappointing.

 

[CommandoJoe]

Let take twelve 400-500W panels and build a roof with them.
Not other roof under the panels, the panels are used as a roof. Of course, there is a structure to hold the panels.
Is it possible to create a sealed roof?

I know there is edge trim stip available to put between panels, but there will always have some leak at intersection (picture).
It's also probably possible to fixe the panels and then apply sealant on every crack and intersection, but this don't look reliable to me.

So, is there solution to create a sealed solar panel roof?

View attachment 314864

Seal everything on the topside as best you can

Self-Leveling Ultra Sealant - Dicor Products

To purchase please contact your Local RV Dealer. Dicor's Self-Leveling Ultra Sealant is a high-performance polyether sealant that contains no solvents or isocyanates and is non-yellowing. It is designed to fill voids and joints and seal around RV rooftop accessories where a self-leveling sealant...

dicorproducts.com

Then underneath you could add a membrane like what is used on RV roofs to catch any drips and divert it to a drain

Membranes Archives - Dicor Products

 

[Aridom82]

Let take twelve 400-500W panels and build a roof with them.
Not other roof under the panels, the panels are used as a roof. Of course, there is a structure to hold the panels.
Is it possible to create a sealed roof?

I know there is edge trim stip available to put between panels, but there will always have some leak at intersection (picture).
It's also probably possible to fixe the panels and then apply sealant on every crack and intersection, but this don't look reliable to me.

So, is there solution to create a sealed solar panel roof?

View attachment 314864

So this is what i did to seal them. Put butyl tape between them and clamp them from underneath. After two years is still working fine.
Idk if it would work for a flat roof though.

 

[yabert]

Looks like some kind of gutter network under the panels?

That make sense.
If you can't stop water ingress with proper seal, at least you can catch water.

 

[chill633]

Looks like some kind of gutter network under the panels?

View attachment 314865

I've attached the page from the install manual that addresses this for reference. (Chiko)

 

[yabert]

Pretty sure you want some kind of expansion joint between panels

Sure, panels can change length simply with change of temperature (like 2001mm instead of 2000mm simply by a 30°C temperature change).
The structure under the panel will also move and change in lenght so expension joint is a must.

 

[Aridom82]

That make sense.
If you can't stop water ingress with proper seal, at least you can catch water.View attachment 314877

how do you clean those channels from debris?

 

[yabert]

how do you clean those channels from debris?

I don't know.
But sure this will be consider in my design. Debrit should be minimal if I try to seal the top part of the panels and probably removable channels is key to clean.

 

[yabert]

Ummm! seam possible to have roof using sealant.
The guy said it's alsmost sealed

 

[green mountain boys]

The temperature of my roof on a cold winter night could be near negative 40C. On a hot summer day it could reach 70C or more. I have no idea how to handle the expansion and contraction of materials so it does not leak.

Gutters underneath the panels?
In a cold environment the panels will melt snow and ice, drain to the gutter underneath (in shade), refreeze, fill gutter with ice and overflow with icicles 2 or 3 meters long. It happens here all the time on houses with traditional gutters, even gutters in full sun. It is not uncommon here to have 30 consecutive days of sub freezing temperatures. Gutters might work OK in a warm environment.

 

[SYNERGIST]

I am getting lots of good ideas fro the guys who build wintergardens, The roofs are glass and watertight!

 

[rhino]

Ummm! seam possible to have roof using sealant.
The guy said it's alsmost sealed View attachment 315472

I think all manufacturer's installation manual state that there has to be a specific minimum gap between panels. Those sure look like they are butted right up against each other.

 

[yabert]

there has to be a specific minimum gap between panels

Yeah! it also my thinking. But a kind of soft closed cell foam between panels seem doable.
That + tiny removable gutters under the panels sound like a ''waterproof'' solution to me.

 

[Daddy Tanuki]

put a 2-3 mm strip of foam between the panels and then seal on the top with Sik a flex. it is a polyurethane sealer that is used to install car windows into the steel frame. when it cures you have a flexible seal that allows the two diferent materials to flex in relationship to each other without leaking or the glass on the car from cracking.

if it works for your windshield it will work for the solar panels the foam strip is to ensure that your bead of sealant is thick enough to provide the space you need for the "growth" of the glass in relationship to the steel frame of the car body.

 

[hogback]

If they made them with flanges top and sides you could just shingle with them....

 

[Hedges]

(glass) tile roof?

I envision diagonal, so fall line is onto next panel not parallel to edge.
If "shed" roof, just has pointy eaves.