Lightweight, longer lasting solar panels?

[poiu]

Lots of flexible good cheap solar panels out there. Get one with ETFE coatings ideally. They work almost as well as glass panels.

[coopec43]

Maybe not appropriate for your needs but have you looked at bi-facial panels?

https://www.paradisesolarenergy.com/...l-solar-panels

[Rohan]

Originally Posted by dustman

Is there such a thing as a solar panel that is lighter than the standard rigid panels but longer lasting than the flexible panels?

Keep in mind the flexible panels of today aren't the same as the ones of yesteryear. Renogy is a mid-range brand and their flexible panels are about as light, durable, and resistant to elements as panels can be. I'm sure most other brands today are comparable.

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by Johan Leopard51

Just be aware that many of the flexible panels (not all) have much lower watts/square meter because use thin film semiconductor not mono silicon.

I have 4 original Unisolar thin film panels (5m x 0.3m 68W) on my bimini that are 15 years old and still producing. They were so expensive that I have eliminated the cost from my memory but they have been worth every penny. While they produce less watt per square metre they operate in shade, in my case under the boom, and very low light conditions cloudy. The Unisolars will still be producing when my rigid panels are not. Unisolar are now CIGS but I don't know the history.

[jonathanv]

AIKO has a range of panels that don't use glass but have the same warranty as classic residential panels

https://www.segen.co.uk/news/aiko-air-series-modules/
https://www.solar-wind.co.uk/aiko-li...solar-pv-panel

9kg for a 445wp panel

[SunnyIsleMark]

I’ve been using a pair of the Sealeaf panels for a couple of years now and have been quite happy with them. 5 lbs each, with a carbon fiber backing and curved for strength and air flow above the Bimini. The only negative is of course the initial cost, but it appears to be worth it so far. I’ll let you know in another 5 years…

Mark

[Andrew Lippman]

Solbian makes flexible panels. I have them on my bimini. Indeed less power than rigid panels but yuou can walk on them. Good support.

[Peeew]

For a number of reasons I have used mainly flexible panels. My understanding is that if you let them flex a lot in use they have a shorter life. So I glue a stiffener panel of corrugated plastic sign material to the underside. I am in my 6th year with some of these and they are as good as new. One recent install I did was 2 flexible 100w panels with stiffener and a homemade Aluminum frame and the total weight was 19.5 lbs. working great but only a year old.

[paula_k]

My SunPower flexible panels are 4 years old and still putting out 95% of their rated power.

First, SunPower puts a full copper backing on their solar cells to minimize any possible cracking due to flexing.

Seconds. I build a custom frame and rigid back form my panels.
The frame is 1/2 aluminum channel and the backing is green house double wall polystyrene. The panel is very light and once mounted very rigid.

I expect to get many more years of use from these panels

Originally Posted by dustman

Is there such a thing as a solar panel that is lighter than the standard rigid panels but longer lasting than the flexible panels? I saw something like that a long time ago but can't find it again.


I'm half tempted just to make my own out of bare cells but not sure what kind of coating would hold up that has good light transmission.



It seems like one of these manufacturers would have found a nice middle ground by now.

[Reeve21]

Originally Posted by SunnyIsleMark

I’ve been using a pair of the Sealeaf panels for a couple of years now and have been quite happy with them. 5 lbs each, with a carbon fiber backing and curved for strength and air flow above the Bimini. The only negative is of course the initial cost, but it appears to be worth it so far. I’ll let you know in another 5 years…

Mark

Mark, that looks good. I considered Sealeaf before "cheaping out" with Renogy which are attached to my bimini via zippers. I went this way so I could remove them easily if I needed to fold up the bimini on account of possible storm conditions.

How are your panels attached?

[wgerstmyer]

My rigid 100w panels are mounted at three corners on the stern rail (center cockpit so not in the way of anything) with ties. They have been through a lot in my ocean going travels—but imo only because they are rigid. While not 5 pounds they can’t be much over ten. My flexible panel dances and so I need to take it down in weather. Rigid vote for me.

[mcarthur]

Originally Posted by arsenelupiga

can see where you coming from. I have 2 different go's at this.

One are Sunman flexible panels 175W. So far they deliver as good as fixed of same power an no deterioration after 1 year. I store them under bed when not needed ie on the go.

The other are fixed but 1/3 lighter than standard.
https://www.solar4rvs.com.au/exotron...hade-resistant

They are active full time, nice aestetics and work as advertised.

i am yet to find better solution for cat.

Totally agree with you. We have 310w and 415w eARC Sunman. Only the 310w are on the boat right now, but have been doing a great job at only <5kg each panel! At 6pm the other day, 1.5hrs before sunset and with a little cloud the panels were putting out 15-20% (call it Sydney latitude). Angle of the sun to horizon must have been 15% or so! They work well doubled up in series with a 48V battery.

[mcarthur]

Originally Posted by arsenelupiga

The other are fixed but 1/3 lighter than standard.
https://www.solar4rvs.com.au/exotron...hade-resistant

One things annoys me is the advertising - "23% efficient PERC cells", but the panel itself is 20.5%. It's not actually false, but misleading as a headline IMO.

11.5kg for those Exotronic 225W vs 3.8kg for the 215W Sunman vs 17-19kg for "normal" solid panels (LG, etc.).

Since mine will be high in the air on a power cat, I'll take the Sunman weight! We're planning on 5-8kW (currently 1.3kW) and for the heavy panels that would be 300kg up high all the time, above the flybridge even . Sure, a few people standing up there would give the same weight, but they'd be a) lower down than above-head height, and b) not up there all the time when the rolling happens!
And with heavier panels, you need a stronger structure - which itself is heavier up high. Structure difference to the Sunman lightweight could add another 50kg.
The only benefit to house panels in our situation is that you can get bifacial, and the height above water should allow a decent amount of reflected light.