Loss of Solar Panel
In a letter from a member in the October 2025 magazine regarding the introduction of non-electric saver pitches, they mentioned their solar panel. We had a solar panel installed on our motorhome approximately 10 years ago and, like the writer, found it extremely useful when touring.
That is, until an unfortunate incident this summer, when when we suddenly heard a rattling sound when we were travelling on the motorway. Thinking that we had probably left a cupboard or drawer open, I prepared to stop at the nearby services. It was then that we discovered that our solar panel had become completely detached from the roof and had struck a car, cracking the windscreen. Fortunately no one was hurt.
The solar panel was mounted on a number of feet glued to the roof of the vehicle. The roof has no damage and there is no trace of the pillars, with only slight differences in the colour where they were attached. We have no idea why this happened. Our only guess is that the adhesive had gradually failed during the extremely hot temperatures this year. Our supplier could not offer any possible reason either. Understandably we are now rather reluctant to purchase another panel, in case it happens again. I wonder if this has happened to anyone else?
Answers
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Who installed the panel? I do not think heat should effect the adhesive, it is more likely it was not glued down correctly in the first place because I have not seen any reports of this happening before. Mine has been on the roof some years and remains solidly glued down. That said it is a concern I have and I do check it fairly regularly.
peedee
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I have no experience of solar panels, but you have mentioned pillars and that to me is a concern. I'm guessing they could be to space the panel from the vans roof and reduce heat build up? but would they not allow a flow of air to get beneath the panel and force it away from the roof?
Colin
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We have had ours come loose as well, fortunately we checked it prior to setting off, so no damage. It is now screwed onto roof, but we will still do routine checks. Glad no one hurt, must have been a shock.
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