Dude! That makes me nervous, I dont remember exactly how you mounted your panels but I remember thinking you did a better job of it than I did. Hit me up and let me know how the projects are going, havent heard from you in a while.
Not meaning to hijack this thread, but I'll share my solar panel loss details as quickly as possible:
I chose to use 2 Renogy Eclipse 100 watt panels, and their plastic "drill free" mounts (I thought they looked good) which are molded plastic corners (4) and mid pieces (2)
https://www.renogy.com/renogy-corner-bracket-mount/
I called the company tech line and was told to use a Sika-Flex product to glue them to my top and to glue the panels in. Proper prep was done to all surfaces (sanding, cleaning, etc) as well letting the adhesive cure for about 3 days.
First incident was one of the mid sections let go about a year ago while driving on a freeway. We heard and noise but didn't give a thought, then noticed the mount missing when I got home. It was obvious that the adhesive had let go of the plastic mount. Called Renogy only to be told they would not replace the single piece but I could purchase a set and they would not cover anything done DIY regardless of the fact they recommended the adhesive. And was also told that drilling any holes in the panels will void any warranty as well...
So I pulled off the entire unit, married the panels together with an alloy plate USING THEIR HOLES, drilled and tapped the plastic mounts for 1/4-20 grub screws, re-mounted everything using silicone for adhesive on the mount to fiberglass pop-top surface, and thought I was good to go. What I neglected to do was replace the adhesive between the mounts and panels, thinking the grub screws would do the work. Silly me...
Ran into quite a windstorm last week coming down the 395 Eastern Sierra Hwy. Again, heard a noise, thought something fell out of a interior cabinet and kept rolling. Got to a fuel station and saw jut the wires dangling from the top
When I got home I climbed up and saw that there was no adhesive on the plastic mounts, and apparently the grub screws couldn't grub enough. Re-ordered new Eclipse panels through Amazon (cheaper than Renogy) because they are a decent value. Tackling the re-mount over the weekend and will post a sepearte thread on that with pics.
But for now bottom lines are:
a) Renogy customer service truly does suck
b) Sika Flex sucks big butt, don't use it for anything! (ok, maybe for sticking a post card to your 'fridge door)
c) ANYTIME you hear a funny noise pull over immediately! I can only hope the panels landed intact in the sage and some lucky bastid found them. Use them in good health bro!
Cheers and I now return this thread to it's regularly scheduled programming.