Flexible solar panels work best for long camping trips to faraway places with little to no electricity access. I’ve been planning a camping trip for the longest and my search for the best flexible solar panels has now begun.
Solar panels are an easy option for providing clean, safe, and environment-friendly energy on the go. These portable devices can easily roll, fold, expand, and are more efficient than typical solar panels.
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Conventional solar panels are made up of silicon wafers and are a size or two thicker than a hair strand. The surface is somewhat rigid, but it is still a tad bit rickety; hence comes with a glass or plastic coating.
Unlike typical solar panels, flexible solar panels consist of more than 300 times thinner silicon layers. These are ideal for low energy consumption like RVs, mobile recharging, and powering other small appliances.
Flexible Solar Panels Buying Guide
Before we buy our first flexible solar panel, we need to be knowledgeable about certain factors like its durability, strength, weight, bending capability and wattage, etc. Let’s review these aspects as below:
Material
If you plan on using the solar panel for a long time, consider investing in a heavy-duty material. The sturdy the material is, the more durable it is.
Most solar panels include ETFE material in their construction so there’s nothing to worry about. That’s because the ETFE is highly water-proof, snow, impact, weather-resistant, and an excellent light transmitter.
Power
The power output a solar panel delivers is often less than the given input. However, for recreational purposes, a 400-500W solar panel should suffice. The ones mentioned below lie around 100W, so you might need to purchase more than one for seamless usage.
Weight
Flexible solar panels are usually lightweight since they are designed to be used on the go. Most solar panels listed below weigh around 4 pounds. So it’s better to ensure our luggage capacity before purchasing the panel.
Bending Angle
Flexible solar panels are famous for the feature that they are bendable. Most panels can bend only up to 30° or slightly more. However, some exceptional cases can bend up to 200° and more.
Efficiency
Efficiency plays a key role in the optimal power output of a solar panel. While searching, we need to go for the one with an efficiency between 16% – 24%, and this should suffice our energy consumption needs during a trip.
Original Source: https://www.panparks.org/best-flexible-solar-panels/
Flexible Solar Panels Worth Buying
Here is a small list of flexible solar panels that are worth your money.
Renogy RNG-100DB-H 100 W Flexible Solar Panel
The Renogy RNG-100DB-H 100 W Solar Panel is my personal favorite. Not only is it highly bendable and nature resistant, but it is also highly affordable for the features it offers. It can be mounted on all sorts of surfaces and is perfect for underwater usage.
The Renogy solar panel is pretty flexible and can bend up to almost 70% of a circle. It offers easy installation and generates 100W of power, having a 15.5% efficiency rating. The best part is that it weighs 4 pounds only has an ETFE build and a self-cleaning feature.
Pros
- Bends up to 248° easily
- Uses ETFE material
- Weighs only four pounds
- Comes with a five-year warranty
- Highly weather-resistant
Cons
- Efficiency could have been better
- Inadequate customer service
- Offers 15.5% efficiency only
XINPUGUANG SEMI-FLEXIBLE 100W SOLAR PANEL CELL
The solar panel is yet another flexible and lightweight solar panel with an efficiency rate of around 20%. It weighs only 4.4 pounds, can bend about 30 to 40 degrees, and easily be mounted on slightly curved surfaces.
Moreover, the XINPUGUANG 200W solar panel is highly water-proof, weather-resistant, and has an extended life compared to other solar panels in this range. It comes with a kit and includes a 100W solar panel, cable sets, charge controllers, and connectors.
Pros
- Foldable
- 25% efficiency
- Offers 100W
- Two output options
- Lightweight
Cons
- Costly
- Build isn’t solid
Giaride 100W Flexible Solar Panel
The Giaride 100W is one of the best flexible solar panels you can use for temporary installation, and it comes with pre-drilled holes for quick fixing. It has an efficiency rating of 21%, excellent for its design and price range.
Additionally, it has a lightweight build, monocrystalline solar cells, and bends up to 30°. The Giaride 100W comes with an 18-month warranty and offers excellent resistance against water, dust, and other weather elements.
Pros
- 21% efficiency rate
- Bends up to 30°
- Offers four easy options for installation
- Nature resistant
- Lightweight
Cons
- Thicker in size
- Insufficient water resistance
SunPower Flexible 100 Watt Solar Panel
The SunPower Flexible 100 Watt Solar Panel is yet another excellent flexible solar panel for domestic use. It can rotate up to 30 degrees and offers an excellent efficiency rate of 22-25% in contrast to its competitors. The SunPower 100W comes with a five-year warranty and can deliver extraordinary power even on cloudy days.
It comes in standard size and is easy to carry around. The SunPower 100W offers good resistance against natural elements, is highly water-proof, and it provides sufficient power within affordable means. Buy on Amazon here.
Pros
- Efficiency rate over 22%
- Lightweight
- Five-year power warranty
- Two-year product warranty
- Bends up to 30°
Cons
- Not safe for underwater purposes
- Easily susceptible to damage
- How to Choose Flexible Solar Panels?
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are flexible solar panels used for?
Unlike traditional solar panels, flexible solar panels are less rigid, more efficient and are used to produce electricity by absorbing sunlight.
They are easy to carry and are primarily used for power traveling to hilly areas. However, it can also be used for domestic and marine purposes.
Do flexible solar panels heat up fast?
If the solar panel is attached to the roof of a car without a medium in between, chances are it will heat up fast.
Continuous and excessive exposure to heat decreases their lifetime and reduces working power. Fixing it to a mounting rack or a raised surface should solve this problem.
How can I install the flexible solar panel?
Most flexible panels come with pre-drilled holes or grommets that offer easy makeshift installation. You can simply attach it to the roof.
Some solar panels even come with a peel and paste option, so all you do is take off the peel, expose the adhesive material and press it onto the surface. It’s as easy as that.