Overhang a solar panel

[OutwardHound]

Hey! So we’re getting ready to start building the interior and adding solar to our roof. I have installed a 1-1/4” roof rack that spans the length of the sides of the bus and the middle. Will be running 4x4’s across the top and then 2x4s to mount the solar panels on top. I want to put the wood stove 8’ 6” from the front of the bus but the solar panels will go to 9’2”. Any thoughts on overhanging the solar panel a foot or 18” over the front of the bus roof on top? It would still be behind the hood of the bus by a long shot, just not sure if we’d get wind pressure that would be more dangerous there.

[Rwnielsen]

It's just my opinion but...at speed, there may be enough added stress to either dislodge or fold back a panel mounted that way. There's a lot of stress just mounted on a moving vehicle, interrupting the natural air flow while driving only compounds it

[TheHubbardBus]

Seems like that would be exactly where the airflow coming over the front cab / window would be pushing. It would worry me enough to find another way.

[HamSkoolie]

Yep, what they said already.
The air smashing into the front of your bus is going to have to go up, down, or around the front of the rig. A good chunk will be going upwards and constantly (when driving) pushing up on the light weight construction of the solar panel. Have you considered turning the panel sideways (even if it means losing or having to re position a paired panel)?

[Rucker]

Overhand is definitely not recommended-not on the front. Solar panels are pretty flimsy without support along their entire perimeter so unless those timbers extend, I would suggest a different panel configuration.

BTW, a lot of lumber on that roof. Will that be necessary?

[bubb, the real one]

Perhaps you could mount some plywood under the panel to keep the wind off the panel,
Wether plywood or 2x4’s use loctited bolts not screws