3M VHB tape

[Mr Gus]

It comes in single & double sided variants
Seems to be successfully used on van solar applications enduring driving, & American weather extremes.

Removed via isopropyl alcohol, / wd40 & passes with an oscillating tool blade.

Would you consider it for joining "gap free" small solar panels to make rain resistant solar roof / solar shading over a gazebo ..etc?
(Not as the only form of mounting)

Then this link ... https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar ... ounts.html
some nice detail, & to round it off https://diysolarforum.com/threads/the-r ... els.11239/

Seems they (3M) do a marine version @Al bargey

[AlBargey]

It is sticky!

I've used it for glass onto aluminium framed commercial window and light boxes before, you don't get a second chance lining up the two surfaces! I've also used a very similar vhb tape by Sikaflex to mount external wall cement panels on a Walter Segal style building, they're still on 10 years later! (Think I still have some left over on the rolls from it)

Tbh i'd probably just use Sikaflex silicone or similar for joining solar panels leak free. If removal at a later date is important I wonder if window glazing strip would be good enough and also non destructive/ demountable with bolts through the frames? Having said that I have bolted some arrays together by the frames and it's a pain to bolt then all and drill even with a jig I made to align the drill holes. I'd guess there will be less heat dissipation too, so maybe a de-rating on hot sunny low wind days.

I assume 'marine' VHB is waterproof, without looking at the data sheet or asking tech advice on constant direct rain suitability but it'll definitely be a pain to disassemble the panels from each other in the future. If that's all fine then it'll probably work. Fingers crossed

*Edit. Final thought, not all solar panels are square! I'm not sure if VHB tape has enough compressibility to accommodate compound 1mm variances here and there especially if it's a block of 9+ panels.. I noticed this with my bolted arrays. Maybe wide closed cell foam gasket tape, and use normal solar rails to mount the panels but have someone with you to push them together and compress the foam whilst you clamp them down?

[Mr Gus]

Good points.
Thanks Al