Flexible Solar Panel Recommendations?

[Ocean Roads]

Looking for some flexible solar panel recommendations anyone.

Looked at a few at the boat show">Miami Boat Show in February, as expected most cost more and put out less then their rigid counterparts.

I have room on the stern and stern 1/4 rails for normal panels, but would rather keep that area clean, so when the new dogger gets stitched I would like to put some on the top and sides of the dodger.

Whatcha think folks?

[imagine2frolic]

I built a frame above my bimini's frame, but I did have the room to raise it........i2f

[zeehag]

on my ericson i have 5 flexible panels from unisolr s weather cloths...lol..i am trying to make a bimini for my formosa for the solar panels-i have one flexible unisolar--actually is semi-flexible-- and 2 rigid ones to use as bimini cover...

[Mark Johnson]

Unless you mean some brand new technology... Besides being twice the size per Amp, the flexible panels are heavy, and only last 1/3rd as long. I wouldn't just lay them on the bimini, as it would sag. A better bet would to have a canvass shop that does tops & enclosures, put two SS bows, like the ones on the bimini, but a couple of inches above. Then mount two large conventional "single crystal" panels on them. One may be shaded much of the time, but the other one will not. In this application, besides the by-pass diodes in the panel, it would pay to put a low V loss Schotky blocking diode, as well as a fuse, in the panel's + wires.

We get all of our power from solar, 95% of the time. IT'S GREAT!!!

Mark

[zeehag]

my flexivbles have lasted more than 6 years without losing anything-- check your connexions before saying lose anything-- they do not deteriorate-- the connexions do..LOL..... i know-- have em..LOL and i wont trade for anything.

by the way--if you TRULY believe the solar panels are losing/deteriorating, please send them to me-- i will use and use and use..LOL. i received a 3 amp solar panel someone sed was deteriorated--ROFLMFAO!!!!!!! i am getting 3+ amps out of it even with my poorly effected connection work..... send em to me!!!! i will relieve ye of any "deteriorated" panels!!!!!!

as for making them bimini roofing--just place an X shaped support beneath as part of the frame-- voila!!!! magic... but if ye REALLLLY need to rid yerself of them, i will more than gladly take them off your hands......heavy?? no not even.. they are not as heavy as the rigid ones i have found..LOL

[Mark Johnson]

Originally Posted by zeehag

my flexivbles have lasted more than 6 years without losing anything-- check your connexions before saying lose anything-- they do not deteriorate-- the connexions do..LOL..... i know-- have em..LOL and i wont trade for anything.

by the way--if you TRULY believe the solar panels are losing/deteriorating, please send them to me-- i will use and use and use..LOL. i received a 3 amp solar panel someone sed was deteriorated--ROFLMFAO!!!!!!! i am getting 3+ amps out of it even with my poorly effected connection work..... send em to me!!!! i will relieve ye of any "deteriorated" panels!!!!!!

as for making them bimini roofing--just place an X shaped support beneath as part of the frame-- voila!!!! magic... but if ye REALLLLY need to rid yerself of them, i will more than gladly take them off your hands......heavy?? no not even.. they are not as heavy as the rigid ones i have found..LOL

Having put solar on my boats since the early 70s, I consider 6 or 7 years a really short lifespan. I have seen dozens of these flexible panels out cruising, in boatyards, or on the shelf in consignment shops, that are all yellowed out from UVs. They may still work, but not well after 10 years.

The conventional glass covered panels should last 25 years or more, and the last half of their life, is at a higher % of their new output..

I would certainly think that glass panels weigh more than flexible ones. I was just suggesting that to lay a 2' X 3' flexable panel on ones bimini, with no other support, would make the bimini sag. The rack idea I suggested would cost far less (for the same amps), be more storm proof, and last two to three times as long.

My panel "on a rack", as well as the ones on Starboard side rails, has been through 150 MPH winds in Hurricane Ivan!

The ideal place for flexible panels, IMO, is where it is perfectly suited, and another option is not. Then the shorter lifespan is of no consequence. They DO have their place, but on a bimini, IF one has room and is willing to go to the hassle of a custom made rack, That is the way I'd go.

M.

[Slainte40]

Ocean Roads We just mounted 2 135's above our davit's and found a place in Cape Coral, Fl for the aluminum post to cross the davit's and it's as strong as an ox and cost wise I'm thinking better output for my $$$ just my .02

[capnorv]

oceanroads, were you a Coastie? I've had a 2.4 a/12v unisolar since 1988, still working. I also have the same technology in 78 22w/1.9v panels since 1974, still in spec. My one complaint would be the footprint/output. semper paratus

[Ocean Roads]

I been a Coastie for 8 years now, one weekend a month, two weeks a year.

[Eleven]

Horses for courses. The flexies do accept being walked on, sat on, and having things dropped on them. I had them on the saloon roof where the G-childers treated them as paving slabs, tho I tried to avoid stepping on them it depended on the sea state at the time. Very reliable systems and easier to install. Do note that output drops as temperature gets above hand hot. Having the back of a solid array open to the air will help. On a roof installation water trapped behind any panel will grow green stuff. make the gap big enough so it doesn't trap water (ie self drying).

[noelex 77]

The flexible amorphous panels do have a shorter life than the rigid alternatives. The cells themselves degrade and they slowly produce less power. The better manufactures sell them with slightly pessimistic ratings so they still meet there specs when 2-3 years old. When new they should do better than specified.
There life is usually quoted as 10 to 15 years at which stage they will still be producing some power, but well below the expected amount.
Still not a bad life for some marine electronics.
I am very surprised people are reporting full output from 30 year old flexible panels.

I have also seen a lot die before there time, corrosion around the cable entry is the most common problem..

[careka]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

I am very surprised people are reporting full output from 30 year old flexible panels.

I have also seen a lot die before there time, corrosion around the cable entry is the most common problem..

There is a diff, Northern Europa, and Florida sun.
The good thing for us up north is that the Flexsi once, give good amps even when the sun is not shining,
A good cloudy day they still give amps to the batts.

They just need dayligth.

[capnorv]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

The flexible amorphous panels do have a shorter life than the rigid alternatives. The cells themselves degrade and they slowly produce less power. The better manufactures sell them with slightly pessimistic ratings so they still meet there specs when 2-3 years old. When new they should do better than specified.
There life is usually quoted as 10 to 15 years at which stage they will still be producing some power, but well below the expected amount.
Still not a bad life for some marine electronics.
I am very surprised people are reporting full output from 30 year old flexible panels.

I have also seen a lot die before there time, corrosion around the cable entry is the most common problem..

The 37 year old panels I am touting are land based, not marine, and I have rewired them, twice, but the panels, as stated, are still at rated output. I checked them individually less than 2 years ago, when I last rewired them.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by noelex 77

I have also seen a lot die before there time, corrosion around the cable entry is the most common problem..

That happened to one of mine.
I just cut off the first section of panel, soldered to the foil, hot glued seams and wire outlet to waterproof, and Voila!, works great!

[Eleven]

The comment about rigid celss being dependant on direct sunlight explains alot. My flexis worked right up 'till sunset and during cloudy weather. Some loss but still useful amps.