What is a solar adhesive?

An adhesive is a substance that unites or bonds surfaces together. In the solar industry, adhesives are used throughout the process of manufacturing and installation. Henkel's adhesive Loctite 3388P enables high-strength ingot bonding in solar applications.

Can you use adhesive on solar panels?

I strongly urge you to avoid using any adhesive for solar panels. Keep in mind that flexible solar panels don't last long. You will probably need to replace them every couple of years. That will be a challenge with them glued in place. For rigid panels, the best adhesive would be M6 bolts.

Are solar adhesives weather resistant?

Weather resistance is a primary concern with the adhesives used to install solar panels, so solar manufacturers and installers should investigate how long the adhesives are going to last in the harsh conditions of a typical solar installation. An introduction to solar adhesives from our 2012 Renewable Energy Handbook.

What is the best adhesive for rigid panels?

For rigid panels, the best adhesive would be M6 bolts. These are rigid panels being mounted on aluminium brackets. I'll actually be replacing one of the factory panels and notice they only use adhesive. M6 bolts make sense for strength, my concern is they introduce an entry point for moisture.

Do thin film solar panels need adhesive?

Thin-film solar panels (see page 296), in particular, need adhesives around the edges because they typically don’t have frames to protect them. They need an additional moisture barrier called a side or edge seal. Many manufacturers use butyl, either in a liquid or tape form. Butyl-casting resins provide water vapor-tight sealing.

How much adhesive do I need for a solar panel bracket?

If you're using adhesive you want as much surface area connection between the bracket and the roof. A couple inches of bracket may not be enough. Using adhesive under Unistrut that matches the full length of the solar panels is much better. But I'm a lot more comfortable with actual fasteners.