Fitting a Rigid Solar Panel to a Pop Top Campervan Roof 

Thanks for the excellent video it was really helpful for when I did my panel. A friend had told me about the thin flexible ones not being good. A few things I did differently which may help someone else. I used the victron 175w panel as I was worried about weight combined with wind pushing the roof down, as the 205 is meant to be 5kg heavier. The 175 is OK and gives about 3 days off grid with a cr50 45w fridge but doing the maths afterwards the 205 should be indefinitely. I put the solar connectors on the outside of the van so I can swap out the panel if I do have problems. I connected the fridge directly to the load output on the victron as this allows you to monitor the draw of the fridge and how often it is turning on and off, which was really helpful in working out if it was getting too hot at the back, but which it was so I fitted some fans to take the hot air away. Thank you again I owe you a beer.

Great tutorial, this video gave me the confidence to install a solar panel on my pop top roof.

Really useful video and nice to see a different take on the usual flexible panels. Appreciate the video.

What size, length by width was the panel and what was the power output and where did you get the gland from. I've got to do mine and I'm dreading it as its a brand new van and the pop top is in reverse as its a rear kitchen. Thanks for the info anyway 👍

Super video, thanks. Did you had any problems with the flexible solar panel, mounted directly on a black roof during the hot days last summer? Great tip removing the Sikaflex with the BC-90 cleaner!

Fabulous guide. I'm doing the same with the same panel. What bolts/nuts did you use to attach the panel to the van? My renology panel brackets can use self tapping screws but they'll be no good

Very useful thank you iv been looking for an alternative to sticking flexible panels , And wanted to know why people didn’t keep the cables inside the pop top . Would it be worth me putting a wind break at the front of the panel ? Very neat thank you and good luck 👍👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇨🇦

Hi do I need any special drill bit for the holes in the roof?

Thanks for this. I am wanting to do the same with an older fibreglass poptop but nervous about possible uplift pressure generated at speed, so it was good to see the road test. Did the extra weight make it difficult to raise the poptop - I am wondering if our 13kg panel may require upgrading the springs that offset the weight of the roof.

Hi - really good video - I am looking at doing the same thing. My pop top is ridged like yours. It has a slight concave curve in the lower section - presume yours has the same - how did the fittings and rigid panel cope with the flex / bend ? Does the solar panel have any flex in it ? Thanks

An amazing video. I feel more confident in fitting my own. My current leisure battery is charged by my van. Can I use in conjunction with the solar panel or should I disconnect the van charging side.

Hi. What size bolts did you use to fix the aluminium brackets to the pop top roof. (Video is awesome some great tips thank you)

Hi, will I still be able to get under any drive through barriers.....eg Costa

Hi my camper currently has the leisure battery charged by the van itself. Can I use a solar panel in conjunction with my current system, or do I need to disconnect the van charging side? Thanks

Could you please add a link to the brackets. The only ones I can find comes with screws and not nuts and bolts. Thanks.