Solar Panel blown off roof Micro Minnie 2108DS

[Bobcat1]

Our 2108DS [new 2022 and purchased new in 02/2023] had a factory installed solar panel installed on the roof driver side which completely blew off the roof while traveling home on our first camp out. We did recover the now destroyed panel and am now in the process of requesting warranty replacement. It's ONLY hold down was on one corner with two wood screws into the roof.
Any recommendations for additional methods for serious hold down?

[Sparky19053]

Wow that sucks, glad there was no one hurt. I added two 200 watt panels on our 2021 Navion using the 3M VHB tape under the mounting feet. The tape was then sealed in using self leveling caulk. I had to remove one for the factory installed panels. I used a heat gun to soften the factory applied self leveling caulk that was covering the mounting feet. Once the caulk was removed it became apparent the mounting screws were doing nothing to hold the panel down. Two years later and 15K miles I still check the feet frequently, so far so good.

[Marine359]

Navion has a fiberglass roof. Towables have a rubber roof which can be torn off by uplift forces if you use VHB tape to hold down hard panels. It seems Winnebago uses screws to mount panels, and the installer missed the crossmembers, and screwed into the thin ply surface which really isn’t strong enough to resist uplift loads. That’s why the best way to mount hard panels on rails is well nuts. Otherwise you have to make absolutely sure you stew into a crossmember. Of course flexible panels easily mount using two sided tape because there is no uplift force. The newer CIGS panels can be mounted directly to the surface with no over-heating.

[Sparky19053]

Hey glad you spoke up. I wasn't thinking about type of roof they may have.

[cruizerEd]

Originally Posted by Bobcat1

...
Any recommendations for additional methods for serious hold down?

This google doc captures what I have learned over the years. I discuss AM solar mounts but most of it applies to any mount on fiberglass or metal. Membrane is not covered.

[Fred 2106DS]

I used AM Solar mounts to hold my four roof panels. I used the tape on the bottom of the mounts to hold them in place prior to screwing them down to the roof and then covering with Dicor self-leveling sealant. Two of my panels have been on the roof for five years and the other two have been there for 2 years and none show signs of coming loose. I did not attempt to mount them to roof cross members, I just positioned the panels were I wanted them and screwed them into the roof sheathing using the screws provided with the mounts. Micro Minnie's have a walkable roof, my roof sheathing measures just under 3/8". Here are a couple links to my solar install.

Link 1 Link 2