Flexible Solar Panel Mount Extension

jeff dazell

I have a customer solar camera mounted on the eave of the north side. The solar panel is not getting enough sun to charge the battery. If I just moved the solar two inches up and over by two inches up on to the roof, the panel would get plenty of sun. But as it is, the panel is in shade by the roof edge most of the dayq.

The customer is adamant about not having anything screwed into the roof.

Is there any way to add a flexible extension between the solar panel and the mount? Just enough to bring the panel up a few inches so the panel can get up and out of the roof shadow?

Crimp On

The solar panel connects to the mounting bracket with an ordinary bolt. After determining the precise diameter and thread of the existing bolt, two hardware store components can be used to place the panel farther away from the bracket:

A section of threaded rod
A threaded connector.

Remove the plastic tightening nut from the existing bolt.
Thread the connector onto the existing bolt.
Thread the rod into the connector.
Place the plastic tightening nut on the rod.
Screw the solar panel onto the rod.
Use the tightening nut to secure the solar panel.
Rotate the panel to the desired location.
Tighten the wing nut to hold the panel in place.

As long as the extension is not huge, this should be secure.

If it would take a very long extension rod to raise the panel above the roof line, I would consider attaching wood to the eave and attaching the bracket to that.