Best new flex panels on the market?

[Caliber40]

Here's a good way to mount your flexible panels.....you'll have to google them to find them....doubt Hamilton Ferris will sell them separate

SOLAR SNAPS THE SOLUTION TO SOLAR MOUNTING IS HERE...
Your Solarflexx panels include the Solar Snap system so you can enjoy simple attachment and fast removal of your panels. Our Solar Snap system utilizes marine grade stainless steel quick release connectors designed for your choice of canvas or hard surface mounts. This is the solution you have been waiting for as it conforms to dodger and bimini mount installations, hard tops, or your pilot house roof!

SolarSnaps simply mount to canvas dodger and biminiEasy on off soalrflexx panel removal Attaching SolarFlexx panels to canvas is easy SolarFlexx Panel simply Snaps in place

[TheThunderbird]

Can the happy customers be more specific about energy efficiency for flat flex panels??

I had at best 55% efficiency for a couple of hours, in Sicily, Lat 37° N, in the best months (May, June, Sept)

Was l unlucky with GIOCO panels ??

Can Anyone compare flex vs fixed panels, all the rest being the same, as to EFFICIENCY (not durability) ?

my sentiment is quite negative about the flex panels, indeed l am considering a fixed dodger for this very reason...

PS rated output 150W
Max. Output 82W actual (11am -1:30pm, solar time)

[TheThunderbird]

Originally Posted by Garethk

Had all mine replaced by Solbian Twice!!, Fading issues and bad connection boxes on top, very expensive, would rather use cheap Chinese panels and chuck them out after 3 years

same problem with mine, by GIOCO (A former partner to Solbian, thus . I think, technology is the same....)


Oh, yes, the guarantee is free.

Troubleshooting
Disassembling
Packing
Delivery (50eur)
no output (2months)
re-assembly

is for free

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Did you remember to remove the clear shipping plastic that they use to protect the surface in shipping just like your new cellphone was packaged. ?

We purchased a new toaster which had a blue digital display.
It was hard to read and we didn't realize it had a plastic covering over it for almost a week.
After removing it, the display was crystal clear!

[zboss]

We also had some flexible solar panels go hazy. They can be sensitive to chemicals commonly used on boats that are not intended to be used on plastics. Basically don't clean them with anything you would not use to clean strataglass or similar. I think cleaners that have PTFE in them are big culprits.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by TheThunderbird

Can the happy customers be more specific about energy efficiency for flat flex panels??

I had at best 55% efficiency for a couple of hours, in Sicily, Lat 37° N, in the best months (May, June, Sept)

Was l unlucky with GIOCO panels ??

Can Anyone compare flex vs fixed panels, all the rest being the same, as to EFFICIENCY (not durability) ?

my sentiment is quite negative about the flex panels, indeed l am considering a fixed dodger for this very reason...

PS rated output 150W
Max. Output 82W actual (11am -1:30pm, solar time)

There is no significant difference between flexpanels and ridgid as to efficiency. They use the same cells. The difference is in the longevity of use. Flexpanels just don't last near as long as ridgid.

[john61ct]

Figure three years, max for cheapies, average for quality.

Cheaper to buy cheapies and carry spares.

To increase the odds, NO flexing after install, and try to quickly dissipate the heat from the back side.

Stiff aluminum backing plate with an air gap below? Now we're re-inventing the wheel. . .

[Flyingriki]

Check how long those thrilled with their solbian have had them. Lot of short time experience trotting out glowing reviews, which are essentially worthless.

[zboss]

I’ve had my solbians for 3 years. I loved them-lightweight, efficient, and backed up by the seller when two hazed over. They were mounted high and I wasn’t able to complete removal of them for Irma and they were destroyer but I would not hesitate suggesting them or the solara panels to anyone.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by zboss

I’ve had my solbians for 3 years. I loved them-lightweight, efficient, and backed up by the seller when two hazed over. They were mounted high and I wasn’t able to complete removal of them for Irma and they were destroyer but I would not hesitate suggesting them or the solara panels to anyone.

Why the high rating when two failed in under 3 years? It seems for the high premium that Solbian charges you'd expect a lot more longevity than what you get with cheap flexpanels at 1/3 to 1/5 the price.

[zboss]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Why the high rating when two failed in under 3 years? It seems for the high premium that Solbian charges you'd expect a lot more longevity than what you get with cheap flexpanels at 1/3 to 1/5 the price.

They performed as designed and this issue was an anomaly. Solbian has since fixed the production issue plus the company stands behind their products. I got brand new ones for almost free. They have a good warranty.

They certainly produced way more power than my old panels. Even hazed, they still were producing almost the complete output they were supposed to, so it was mostly an esthetic issue.

[sailabroad]

We have 3 flexible 100w panels from photonic universe: 3 years old. 6-7 amps each.

One panel blew off the Bimini in a storm, was on the bottom 12 meters down for 1 day until I could find it again, it's still producing the same amount of power as when I bought it.

Another time I had them on deck and a random gust blew one against the mast cracking the plastic, it's still working​ perfectly, even after the mess when i hot glued it to reseal the crack.

Our panels have suffered incredible abuse, flapping in gale winds, impacts and sinkings,, it's amazing how durable these things are! No clouding or delamination has happened so far.

We now attach each panel with very thick (5cm) bands of Velcro.

[puffcard]

ETFE is the way to go, no hazing.

[zboss]

Originally Posted by sailabroad

We have 3 flexible 100w panels from photonic universe: 3 years old. 6-7 amps each.

One panel blew off the Bimini in a storm, was on the bottom 12 meters down for 1 day until I could find it again, it's still producing the same amount of power as when I bought it.

Another time I had them on deck and a random gust blew one against the mast cracking the plastic, it's still working​ perfectly, even after the mess when i hot glued it to reseal the crack.

Our panels have suffered incredible abuse, flapping in gale winds, impacts and sinkings,, it's amazing how durable these things are! No clouding or delamination has happened so far.

We now attach each panel with very thick (5cm) bands of Velcro.

Exactly, it took a cat 5 hurricane to destroy mine.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by sailabroad

We have 3 flexible 100w panels from photonic universe: 3 years old. 6-7 amps each.

One panel blew off the Bimini in a storm, was on the bottom 12 meters down for 1 day until I could find it again, it's still producing the same amount of power as when I bought it.

Another time I had them on deck and a random gust blew one against the mast cracking the plastic, it's still working​ perfectly, even after the mess when i hot glued it to reseal the crack.

Our panels have suffered incredible abuse, flapping in gale winds, impacts and sinkings,, it's amazing how durable these things are! No clouding or delamination has happened so far.

We now attach each panel with very thick (5cm) bands of Velcro.

That sounds great 7 amps out mof a 100 watt panel (100 Watts ÷7 amps= 14.3 volts)
That really is phenomenal I only get about 5 amps out of my 100 watt renogy panels in July in direct sunlight. (At 90°to the sun.)