I've always planned on having 2 / 100 watt flexible solar panels on the roof. The problem is most 100 watt solar panels seem to have a width of 21.5 inches (just seems to be a common size). The open area between the bezel of my fan and the aluminum molding on the edge of the trailer is 20.5 inches. I found a 100 watt panel Windy Nation makes that is 20.5 inches, so their panel seems like it would fit.... but I know nothing about their panels, quality, function and they seem to not have much press when compared to Renogy. I've looked at LightLeaf panels which seem really great but really expensive. SunFlare's panels are great but no panels near the size I need.
Then I had a thought.... which is the main purpose of this post and discussion. Rather than mount the flexible panel "directly" on the roof's surface, what are your thoughts about slightly elevating the panel enough to get over the top of the fan bezel and possibly over the aluminum edge molding on the corner of the roof? This would allow the use of a 21.5 inch panel (like maybe a Renogy). It would also allow some air flow under the panel. If the bezel on the fan is 1/8" thick say (just taking a guess and estimating) and I attached 5 1/8" aluminum strips, 1 inch wide, running the front to back direction of the roof, adhered to roof surface with VHB tape... bent it to the curve of the roof.... and then adhered the panel to the top surfaces of those aluminum strips. Anyone done anything like that? Or does anyone have any thoughts about this?
Thanks for your thoughts.
John