Sunpower flexible panels

[Sailmonkey]

I’ve just purchased one of the sunpower branded (not just a panel that uses sunpower cells) flexible panels.

I bought a pair of cheapy flex panels from Windy nation, and while they have worked very well, after roughly a year the top sheet one one has cracked and exposed the cell to the elements.

Having not received the panel yet, I was wondering if anyone has one of these and can say if the materials are any better than the plethora of Asian cheap flex panels out there?

[Paul L]

Where did you buy the Sunpower panel? How much?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Where did you buy the Sunpower panel? How much?

Here

https://www.wholesalesolar.com/94336...le-solar-panel


But they’re also available here

https://www.renogy.com/sunpower-flex...e-solar-panel/

[Cotemar]

SunPower also sells a 110 watt flex panel SPR-E-Flex-110

https://us.sunpower.com/flexible-solar-panels/

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

SunPower also sells a 110 watt flex panel SPR-E-Flex-110

https://us.sunpower.com/flexible-solar-panels/

Do you have any of these panels?

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

I’ve just purchased one of the sunpower branded (not just a panel that uses sunpower cells) flexible panels.

I bought a pair of cheapy flex panels from Windy nation, and while they have worked very well, after roughly a year the top sheet one one has cracked and exposed the cell to the elements.

Having not received the panel yet, I was wondering if anyone has one of these and can say if the materials are any better than the plethora of Asian cheap flex panels out there?

How was it installed?

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by thinwater

How was it installed?

It’s on my dodger. The crack is from sun damage embrittling the top sheet and not even aligned with any expected fracture from the minimal movement the panels experience.

Note that the panel that has failed is a windynation panel, not the sun power panel that I have not yet received.

[Sailmonkey]

I’ve received the sunpower panel. It just “feels” better than the windy nation panels. The top sheet is much more uniform than the other panels, it’s not sunken into the cells.

In 8-12 months I’ll see how the top sheet looks.

[LeaseOnLife]

More than a year later, how is the sunpower flex panel holding up? I have to replace 3 of the windynation panels, where the protective plastic sheeting above the cells has disintegrated. They still produce rated power, but I am looking for a longer term solution, besides fixed/framed panels.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by LeaseOnLife

More than a year later, how is the sunpower flex panel holding up? I have to replace 3 of the windynation panels, where the protective plastic sheeting above the cells has disintegrated. They still produce rated power, but I am looking for a longer term solution, besides fixed/framed panels.

It's great!! The windynation panels at the same elapsed time were looking pretty rough, already quite cloudy.
The Sunpower panel hasn't experienced any of the cloudiness on the top sheet, in fact when I wash the panel it still has the new gloss to it.

I'll be purchasing 3 more of these in the very near future to complete my cruising complement of solar. 2 for permanent mounting on the dodger, and two that live beneath the settees while underway and can be strapped to the bimini while at anchor.