Does anyone have flexible solar panels installed? Would you do it again?

[patrickvan3]

I've been reading about flexible solar panels vs rigid ones, as well as possibly just buying a whole solar kit, to save time and headache, since I need most of these components anyway.

I really like the concept of the flexible panels - just more aestetically pleasing in my eye, less tripping hazard, and can conform to the curves of the surface. But can anyone give me some "real world" numbers of the output they see from one? Any other downsides I'm not considering?

[Paul L]

Yes.
Flex panels offer a lot in the way of installation options. They do not last as long as rigid panels. Maybe 4 years.
My current flex panels are aluminium backed and doing better than my previous set.

[skipmac]

Have read a number of reports of flexible panels overheating and catching fire. Search the forum for a long discussion about this.

[Pizzazz]

Flexible panels are cheap and provide rates current initially. If you put them on a dodger or bimini they will not last long due to the constant movement of the surface. In my case the set lasted for 14 months. On a hard surface there should not be much difference to regular panels. If you think of them as consumables, replacing them often, it makes sense.

[smac999]

Because You bought cheap ones ^. The good ones are not cheap.. Some flexible ie gioco have a 5 year warranty and ~15 year lifespan. Soliban is Likely simular.

[rsn48]

I am going to link you to Will Prowse, a young guy easy not to take seriously. But if you follow this guy on his solar panel videos, you will be impressed. I suggest you use this link to watch other of his videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onMZ_dRSFUs

Here is the link he talks about in this video near the end. He does make recommendations for both fixed and flexed:

https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-panels.html

[CatNewBee]

Yes, I had and no, I won't do it again.

They are expensive, have a short life and emit too little power for the real estate they take, the plastic detorates quickly and they become blind over time, mounting them is a pita, if you mount them on a flat surface you need to glue them on, makes removing / replacing a nightmare, also thermal issues may arise for the panel cooling (less power) and fot the structure below (risk of fire), thermal extensions and contractions in day/night and seasonal cycles puts a lot of stress on the cells resulting in bending and microfractures, stepping on them too.

Mounting them with straps let them flex and brake the cells even faster.

Rigid glas panels are superior, the glas carrier has very similar thermal behavior like the silicium of the cells, perfect fit, airflow below the frame ensures cooling and keeps the heat away from the structure below. And there is up to two times more energy collectable per square inch. A 360Wp panel has the size of 3 x 5 ft. There are no such figures for flex panels.

[UFO]

Just heard about see through (clear) flexible solar panels - Apparently increases efficiency by removing the heat issue.


Anyone heard anything about these?

[tarian]

you can mount then using a double sided tape (velcro or others ) this allows certain amount of air to pass underneath this allows cooling, those that tested them in a desert setting and waiting until they burned as usual are not tested properly.
They can be walked on , testament to my large dog that liked to lie on them
They can be fitted with a slight curve as I did , issues the cheaper ones do not give out as much power , they are a problem in very high winds , mine came loose with Gusts up to 50 knots , they are lighter so does not affect my boats topsides, I do not know of longevity as I have had then 2 years and still working

[Eder]

I put 4 on my bimini 4 years ago. Cheap off of eBay about $100 each. I mounted them with snaps...have been good to 42 knots of wind so far.


The array maxes out at about 15 amps if I keep the boom out of the way.
I like my boat to look nice rather than a mad max configuration is the main reason I went flexible.


I'll just replace them with other cheap ones if they wear out.

[ikanode]

I bought a cheap flexible panel from Amazon, about $100 for 100 watts. The plastic coating started turning opaque within a year. (I assume from UV damage.) After 2 years, it's producing only 75 watts. I'm mostly using it to maintain the batteries during periods of non-use so it's still effective. I understand this is a common problem.

[Discovery 15797]

I've used both, and now I only would use rigid panels.

First, the energy conversion efficiency of solid panels compared to flexible panels is greater in general. Also, as the solar panel array heats up the energy conversion of flex panels drops significantly. This is because most flex panels are installed in such a way as to prevent heat dissipation.

Also, as mentioned they simply do not last as long as rigid panels.

IMHO, they are useful for "trickle charging" but not nearly as useful for providing a good source of power to keep batteries charged.

[Boatwright]

All solar cells are made with thin slices of semi-conductor glass and are therefore fragile if flexed sharply across the width of the individual cells.

Our aluminum backed semi-flexible panels are mounted on a light mahogany frame on top of the Bimini. Our fellow sailors need to be told we have solar. 4 seasons with no breakage problems. The frame allows air circulation underneath the panels, so no overheating. We were beginning to notice a small decline in performance towards the end of last season, maybe due to UV degradation of the plastic top covering. We'll see this spring how it looks, and order a new set (they're inexpensive) if needed.

We have a low power demand set-up: !00% led lighting, PC based raster chart navigation with AIS receive only, VHF, Raymarine autopilot which we use mostly when low-wind motoring, 12v refrigeration in a very well insulated top loading box. 200 watts (rated) of solar runs it all with no problems. The solar puts an average of 1 kw/hr into our 440 ah Trojans each day. We need significant cloudy weather when we are cruising before we need to supplement the solar with the engine. On our mooring, even in cloudy weather we don't worry about it. The beer is always cold, and the batteries are always happy.

I would not recommend putting flexible panels on top of canvas with no backing, or on the cabin top where they can be stepped on.

[thinwater]

I've had both. Glass lasts a lot longer and has higher output for longer.

• Glass if you have a place where no one walks (catamaran hard tops, for example).
• Flex only if glass just won't work (sport boat).
• If people walk there, expect to spend a LOT of money or have them not last.

For a dodger or bimini, I'd build a frame. Flexing on the cloth is a classic cause of death.


You also can't get around the heat problem with flex. A thin layer of corrugated material does not really drop the temperature as measured. No airflow to speak of. Not only does heat reduce life, it also dramatically lowers output, even when new.



Yeah, flex is so cool looking and it is lazy, but there are downsides. I will not install flex unless I really don't have a choice, and I will expect mediocre output and longevity.

[Sailor647]

We went with hard panels because to many of our friends had the flexible panels burn out and fail. They need to be mounted with air space underneath them so they can cool off.

Whatever you choose, be sure you can get to them and wipe them off when they get dirty. We are cruising in the Sea of Cortez and have to wipe the desert dust off them at least every other day.

Once cleaned, we see an immediate amp output of 15%. In good sun, we can reach 25 amps. Average is probably 18-20 amps throughout the day.