flexible solar panel question?

[Retired Roughneck]

hello,
so i dont need much. i have two ground solar panels on a extension cord because i am always camping under a tree.
but i could use just a little more so i am gonna put a 100w flexible solar panel on top the bus.
then i could charge while driving and get a little more juice when parked.
i like the fact that it is thin & flexible.
i dont wanna drill holes in my roof.
ive watched all the mounting videos for tape / glue which is fine.
i do also have the plastic cardboard for ventilation & heat dissipation.
my question is has anybody also put double reflection insulation underneath both of them?
will it help or hurt the panel?
trying to keep the heat out of the inside of the bus.
thanks in advance.

[flattracker]

I installed 1 Kw of flexible solar panels on the "new Crown".
You should consider using rivnuts to fasten the panels to your bus. At 60 mph if any of the tape or glue you used to secure your panels lets go the panel will likely come off. Also consider how and where you bring the wires inside the bus. I used pass-through covers that worked well so far. You can seal them with silicone caulk. I also used silicone caulk around the edge of each panel (between the panel and the roof). Weigh down the panel edges while the silicon cures as the panels will lift up on the edge. For the plastic cardboard, ask a local elected official if they have any leftover campaign signs as they are sometimes made from that.

Of course assure your charge controller is designed to handle the voltage and current your panels will produce, as the panels can overcharge your batteries if it fails.

[Retired Roughneck]

sweet crown flattracker!
so great idea about the rivnut.
i forgotten i used a better one in the past.
its a rubber rivnut that does the same thing.
except it mushrooms on the inside with rubber.
and it also retracts so you can take it back out!
since it is metal on inside & rubber on the outside it also makes it waterproof!
i used it before mounting a fi-tech ECU on a 72 concours firewall so it wouldnt ground out?
i had 2 leftover and found them so i can take them to get more.
thanks so much for reminding me!
i didnt want to drill holes all the way through my roof.
this way i can easily remove the rubber nut and plug the hole with a rubber plug if needed.
i plan on just running the cable through the top vent then neatly running down ceiling and window down to my charge station.
i can cut the plastic cardboard from Home depot to accept the top of the rubber rivnut so the panel, plastic and reflective double insulation can mount flush and tight on the roof.
the vent will also act as a wind guard.
inside the bus i always use the existing screws so i dont have to drill any new holes for anything.
my bus is basically still in OEM condition.
also my MPPT is good for 350w.
thanks for bringing that up.
i cant seem to remember what these rubber rivnuts are called but i did get them from NAPA behind the counter.
i attached a pic for everybody.
they will come in all kinds of good uses!
i will get back with pics when it is done in a week or so?
enjoy the build!

[Retired Roughneck]

so the rubber well nuts worked perfect!
the flexable solar panel worked out perfect too!
you cant even see it up there LOL
i could easily add 1 or 2 more on each side using the existing holes.
i ended up not using the extra silver insulation.
it was too tall and mushy.
didnt need it anyway with the venting in the plastic cardboard.
temp gun only said 1-2 degrees hotter on the inside ceiling.
did 1150 miles and 3 campsites and it didnt flop or make any noises.
only had to put out external solar panal once due to shade tree and overcast.
here are some pics for future reference!
enjoy the build.

[Tejon7]

That looks great!

[sportyrick]

My go to is McMASTER-CARR and they have them and they call them insulating rivet nuts, in all sizes and metric too! A package of 10.... 1/4"...are only $11.00 plus shipping and probably uncle scam.