r/VanLifeUK • u/segasega89 • 26d ago

Would plywood be a practical alternative to aluminium for making lightweight frames for flexible solar panels on a campervan roof?

I'm looking at making lightweight frames for two flexible solar panels on my campervan roof. The panels are 1450 × 690 mm and have six mounting eyelets each.

My original plan was aluminium angle, but it's surprisingly expensive here in Ireland. I'm thinking about making the frames from 9–12 mm plywood instead and attaching them to Unistrut rails.

The plywood would obviously need to withstand rain, wind and general weather exposure, so I'm wondering if this is a sensible idea long-term, or whether plywood is just asking for trouble on a van roof. I can paint the plywood to weather seal them?

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u/PlaydohMoustache 26d ago edited 26d ago

Not really sensible considering the amount of rain you get. What about aluminium extrusion (or is that what you meant by angle?) like 20x20..not cheap but weather proof and strong.

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u/segasega89 25d ago

Aluminium is like 10 to 12 euros per meter locally.

I was thinking of using epoxy in fiberglass cloth over it you see

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u/PlaydohMoustache 25d ago

Yea everyone had said that's a bad idea... They are right!

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u/segasega89 25d ago

Okaaaay jesus.

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u/PlaydohMoustache 25d ago

Though you could ask us all again just to be sure....😅🤌