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Lighter and more portable than traditional solar panels, flexible solar panels are gaining popularity. If you want to utilize solar energy to power your RV or other outdoor gear, these kits make it simpler than ever to do so. Thin-film solar panels may not be ideal for residential usage, but they do offer certain benefits in other contexts.
We'll go over the basics of what flexible solar panels are, how they're put to use, and how they compare to more traditional rigid panels before diving into a buyer's guide to help you make an informed decision when shopping for a kit from a reputable manufacturer.
What Are Flexible Solar Panels?
Thin silicon cells, often no thicker than a few micrometers, are the building blocks of flexible solar panels, which are then sandwiched between sheets of protective plastic to prevent damage. With the use of thin-film solar technology, these panels may be created considerably thinner and more flexible than traditional monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels, which are typically built of silicon wafers up to 200 micrometers thick (a bit thicker than a human hair) placed on aluminum and coated in glass.
The flexibility of solar panels improves when their width is decreased, but at the expense of their power output and longevity. Therefore, conventional, non-flexible panels continue to dominate the residential market because to their higher power production and longer lifespan (about 25-30 years). However, as solar consumers seek more portable and lightweight solutions, the need for flexible solar panels continues to rise.
Flexible Solar Panel Innovation
The worldwide market for flexible solar panels is expected to rise from its 2020 valuation of $464 million to $914 million by 2030, according to market research. That expansion will be fueled by technological progress that improves the efficiency, dependability, and cost-effectiveness of flexible panels.
Organic solar cells with graphene electrodes are one kind of solar cell that has been the focus of research toward the development of flexible solar panels. Organic solar cells, which employ carbon-based materials rather than silicon as the semiconductor, may take use of graphene's enhanced flexibility without compromising the panel's integrity.
How Are Flexible Solar Panels Used?
Solar panels that can bend in any direction are ideal for usage in mobile environments like RVs and campers, boats, and outdoor activities like hiking and camping, where electricity is only required occasionally. Where mounting situations are more complicated, such the sloped roof of a car, or when space is the primary issue, flexible solar panels are often utilized instead of traditional ones.
People operating in distant areas commonly rely on flexible solar panels to power their camping gear, GPS devices, and communication systems, as well as charge different electrical gadgets like smartphones and digital cameras.
Flexible Solar Panels For An RV or Boat
A common fear among many who have pondered using solar panels to power their RV is that the panels will be too heavy to transport or too stiff to withstand the elements. The good news is that you can get solar energy with a lot less hassle by using flexible solar panels.
The portability, light weight, and adaptability of flexible solar panels make them ideal for use in recreational vehicles, boats, and other outdoor settings.
Smaller panels may suit the demands of many portable solar projects since they do not need a high output of electricity.
Because RV roofs are often more smaller and more densely populated with accessories than those of a typical house, only smaller panels can be installed there.
If you have a flexible solar panel, you may install it on the roof of your RV without worrying about it being blown off by the wind.
What Are The Advantages Of Flexible Solar Panels?
- Mounting. The most significant benefit of flexible solar panels over conventional solar panels is the greater variety of mounting choices available. They may be fixed on the top of a recreational vehicle using industrial silicone glue rather than screws thanks to their adaptable design. Not only are they easy to transport, but their lightweight construction also prevents them from harming the RV roof.
- Portability. Flexible solar panels, due to their portability and light weight, may be used in a wide range of settings. In contrast to bulky solar panels, flexible solar panels may be easily transported and stored. A convenient carrying case is included with the purchase of many goods.
What Are The Disadvantages of Flexible Solar Panels?
- Efficiency. Flexible solar panels' primary drawback is that they are much less efficient than conventional panels in converting solar energy into usable power. The narrow designs give less conducting material compared to typical monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels, which is why they are less efficient. Therefore, most flexible solar panels are created for modest power requirements, between 50 and 300 watts. Because of its low efficiency, this technology is unsuitable for use in the home, particularly if you need to run heavier appliances.
- Reliability. In comparison to rigid solar panels, flexible ones are more easily damaged and broken due to the flimsier nature of the materials used to construct them. So, unlike rigid panels, which often have a 25-year guarantee, flexible ones typically only provide a 5-year solar warranty.
Gone With The Wynns lists the problems of using flexible solar panels on RVs, including cupping, pooling, scratching, gouging, and a lack of adaptability.
Who Makes The Best Flexible Solar Panels?
In your search for the finest bendable solar panels, you may want to check at the following companies:
- Renogy. Renogy is one of the foremost suppliers of flexible solar panels for leisure applications, and it offers all the parts needed to construct off-grid solar power systems at reasonable costs. These parts include flexible panels with bending angles of up to 248 degrees.
- SunPower. SunPower says that the Maxeon solar cells used in their flexible solar panels provide for the best charging capacity and maximum power output in their category. Their premium polymer construction makes them portable, simple to set up, and flexible to the tune of 30 degrees.
- Go Power!. Go Power! came a long way from its roots as a modest Canadian reseller of solar energy supplies. has developed into a major provider of solar products for outdoor activities in North America.
- Top Solar. Top Solar, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, manufactures solar panels of varying forms, sizes, and flexibility levels.
What To Consider When Buying A Flexible Solar Panel Kit
There are seven considerations to keep in mind when selecting the most appropriate flexible solar panel kit for your needs:
- Power Output
Power output is measured in watts and indicates how much energy a solar panel can generate. The number of gadgets you can charge at once is directly related to this crucial element.
- A solar panel with a power output of at least 100 Watts can provide up to three hours of dependable electricity, enough to charge the batteries of an ordinary family-sized boat.
- Depending on what you want to run while camping, you may need more electricity than you normally would.
In general, a solar panel's cost increases as its power production rises.
- Efficiency
The efficiency of a solar panel is measured by how much energy it generates from the sun. A solar panel with an efficiency rating of 20%, for instance, may convert 20% of the sunshine it receives into useful energy.
The efficiency of flexible solar panels is typically between 10% and 15%, whereas that of rigid panels is between 15% and 20%, and that of extremely efficient choices is up to 22%. Once again, though, the costlier the panel, the better its efficiency.
- Longevity
If you want your investment in solar panels to pay off for years to come, you should consider the panels' estimated lifetime. Solar panel durability is primarily determined by the materials used in its construction. Simply put, plastic panels will deteriorate more quickly than their glass and metal counterparts.
A solar panel with thin cells put on a metallic surface, for instance, is expected to survive far longer than a plastic-based panel. However, plastics have advantages over metal when it comes to durability, particularly in damp conditions where it prevents rusting and corrosion. Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) flexible panels, if you must use plastic, are often more long-lasting than polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible panels (PET).
- Bending Angle
Flexibility in installation makes flexible solar panels a popular choice. However, the bending angle, or how far they can bend without breaking, varies from panel to panel. Most flexible solar panels can be bent at an angle of around 30 degrees, but if you have special requirements that call for a more extreme bending angle, you may find extra-flexible panels that can be bent up to 248 degrees.
- Size and Weight
Although size and weight may seem like minor considerations, they are crucial when searching for flexible solar panels due to their mobility. When considering flexible solar panels for RV usage, a panel weighing between four and eight pounds would be fine; however, this is a lot of weight to carry if you plan on bringing the panel hiking.
- Ease of Installation
The cost of installing flexible solar panels may be much lower than that of more conventional rigid panels. Be wary of solar panel kits that claim to make installing solar panels easy. No matter how transportable the panels are, you still need clear rules and instructions.
A simple to understand instruction manual is included with every solar power package. Having the user manual translated into your language of choice is a nice touch when purchasing from a global corporation. The kit should come with everything you need to get the task done quickly and easily, such as Velcro or glue, in addition to the instructions.
- Warranty
You should search for a solar panel with at least a five-year guarantee, since this is an indication of its good quality. However, if the panel breaks after just a few usage, you'll be wishing you spent a bit extra and had a longer guarantee.
Flexible Solar Panels vs Rigid Solar Panels
While the innovative usage of flexible solar panels to generate renewable energy is promising, their primary use is limited to transitory or niche applications. While these solar panels would be ideal for powering a camper van or a backpacking trip, you wouldn't want to put them on your roof if you want to use them year-round.
There are benefits and drawbacks to using flexible solar panels, which must be weighed even by advocates of the technology. They are convenient for outdoor activities like camping and hiking, as well as for powering recreational vehicles and boats. They are also useful for charging electronic devices around the house.
However, the generation efficiency of flexible solar panels is lower than that of conventional panels; this makes them unsuitable for powering big equipment. The compromises made to make them adaptable also reduce their estimated lifespan.
Conclusion
In the end, the use you have in mind for the solar panels will determine whether or not you need flexible solar panels. Before you commit to making a purchase, we recommend that you conduct some study into what the technology is capable of doing in order to decide whether or not flexible panels will be able to meet your requirements.
FAQ
How efficient are the foldable solar panels?
Low efficiency is a common problem with flexible solar panels. Although its efficiency is lower than that of rigid solar panels, flexible ones nonetheless deliver reliable electricity to users. Most glass housings have a power efficiency between 7 and 13% in their rigid enclosures. Life expectancy of flexible solar panels is lower.
Which foldable solar panel performs the best?
This foldable solar panel, at just 4 pounds, is a fraction of the weight of its rigid equivalents while still delivering top-tier performance for a broad range of solar uses.
When will solar flexibility stop being an option?
However, the bending that is required to install flexible solar panels is often when the panels fail. Due to this, panel owners may anticipate a useful lifespan of around 5-15 years.
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