Are you looking for the best flexible solar panels for your next hiking expedition? Then you have come to the right place. In this article, we look at the top products available in the market and a buying guide that helps you make the right choice.
Table of Contents
- Best Flexible Solar Panels & Our Reviews
- 1. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
- 2. ALLPOWERS Solar Panel 100W 18V 12V Flexible Solar Charger
- 3. Unisolar PVL-136 PVL-72 PVL 144 Watt 24 Volt Flexible Solar Panel
- 4. Genssi 4x 100W Mono Flexible Photovoltaic PV Solar Panel
- 5. Unisolar PVL-136 Power Bond Flexible Solar Panel
- 6. Lensun 100W 12V Black Fiberglass Semi-Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
- Are Flexible Solar Panels Good?
- How to install flexible solar panels?
- Conclusion
Best Flexible Solar Panels & Our Reviews
Flexible solar panels are unique in that they can be folded and carried about and yet provide a steady power supply on the go. They are unlike the regular solar panel, which is rigid and cannot be moved. Recognizing that different products exist in the open market and that making a choice can be daunting, we took our time to search for the six best flexible solar panels available. They include:
1. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Thinking of going on a boat cruise? Then go along with the Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel. This extremely lightweight (70% lighter than a conventional solar panel), ultra-thin, the flexible solar panel features up to 248 Degree Arc for RV. It can be mounted on boats, roofs, and other irregular surfaces. This is also made possible partly due to its superb flexibility, which enables it to be installed even on the most inconvenient places such as the curved roof of an airstream.
When laid flat, this solar panel is only about one-tenth tall. It has a super-thin lamination which means it is about 95% thinner than a conventional solar panel, a feature that will come in handy when you need to conceal your solar panel.
It has an extreme wind tolerance of up to 2,400Pa and a snow tolerance of up to 5,400Pa. This makes it durable and can last for a very long time. It is ideal for stealthy applications such as rooftops, boats, RV, and any other curved surface you can think of.
Pros + Key Features
- It has a superb bending angle of up to 248o
- The use of EFTE film provides excellent performance and durability
- Ultra-thin feature make installation and transportation easy
- It is resistant to adverse weather condition
2. ALLPOWERS Solar Panel 100W 18V 12V Flexible Solar Charger
One of ALLPOWERS Solar Panel 100W 18V 12V Solar’s most significant features is its excellent efficiency, which measures up to 23.5% more than other products in the same category. It is also weather-resistant and will not cave in to the water; this feature makes it suitable for unpredictable weather conditions.
Also, it has a durable laminate that ensures it will last for a very long time, unlike the standard glass and aluminum of most solar panels. With pre-drilled holes in each corner of the solar panel, it is quick and easy to mount and dismount at will.
Though it weighs only 4.7 pounds yet it has 100W of power. It features a thin plastic sheet behind the panel and can be bent to about 30o. It can be mounted on curved, irregular surfaces such as RVs, trucks, boats, cabins, trailers, etc.
As a safety-conscious brand, the panel uses a short circuit and features surge protection technology. It is also CE, RoHS, and FCC certified. In addition, it has an eighteen months warranty.
Pros + Key Features
- It has an efficiency of up to 23.5%
- It is water-resistant
- Lightweight yet produces up to 100W of power
- With a bending limit of 30o, it is easy to install and dismount
3. Unisolar PVL-136 PVL-72 PVL 144 Watt 24 Volt Flexible Solar Panel
This solar panel is simple and easy to install. This makes it ideal for commercial use and home and boat/RV applications.
In addition to this, each of the modules uses triple-junction amorphous silicon solar cells; hence, red sunlight, green sunlight, and blue sunlight are absorbed into different layers of cells and yield maximum energy production.
Furthermore, it is a durable and lightweight solar panel which makes transportation of the product easy and convenient. It has an easy peel-and-stick option which makes it stick to almost all surfaces in seconds; it can also withstand the hot temperature known with metal roofs.
For that weekend getaway that promises to be fun, get the Unisolar PVL-136 PVL-72 PVL 144 Watt 24 Volt Flexible Solar Panel and never have to worry about the power supply.
Pros + Key Features
- It is simple and easy to install
- Can stick to most surfaces in a matter of seconds
- It is efficient and durable
- It can absorb different lights into its cell layers
4. Genssi 4x 100W Mono Flexible Photovoltaic PV Solar Panel
The Genssi 4x 100W Mono Flexible Photovoltaic PV Solar Panel is ideal for marine application, dry camp, boats, cars, and other off-grid uses. It features a TPT black sheet that enables the solar panel to perform better and ensures it lasts long.
Also, it can bypass diode lower drop, which results from shades, and ensures the panel performs to its utmost ability, especially in areas where the light is dim.
Moreover, it has a monocrystalline-packed cell that is 22% more efficient than average. Also, its advanced encapsulation material comes with lamination layers and helps improve solar panel performance.
Since it has no glass frame, it is guaranteed to last longer. It comes with a 25-year warranty on its output energy and a five-year material warranty. This solar panel will give you value for your money.
Pros + Key Features
- It has a versatile application
- The panel is ultra-thin and very flexible
- It is very efficient and reliable
- Has a 25-year output warranty and a five-year warranty on the material
5. Unisolar PVL-136 Power Bond Flexible Solar Panel
If you need a solar panel with the most effortless installation, then the Unisolar PVL-136 Power Bond Flexible Solar Panel is your best bet. Its 18-foot-long panel is Power Bond, a feature that enables you to roll it out from wherever it was kept and then fixed to any surface, curved or not, and this can be done using its adhesive backing.
With only a thickness of 2″ and a weight of 17lbs, it is ultra-thin and super light. It is incredibly flexible, mainly because there are no parts of the frame of edge that is rigid. It is ideal for metal surfaces such as roofing sheets and so on.
It gives no room for water, dust, or any other particle to penetrate; therefore, it is resistant to weather conditions, enabling the panel to last for a very long time. It can withstand intense sun rays, so you need not worry if it’s placed under direct sunlight.
Pros + Key Features
- The panels are durable and can withstand water, dust and high temperature
- It features no hard edges. Therefore, it is very flexible
- It is ultra-thin and very light
- It is effortless to install, peel and then stick
6. Lensun 100W 12V Black Fiberglass Semi-Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
It is designed with a fiberglass sheet which is softer and lighter than aluminum. It also works better with ETFE film than with plastic or aluminum sheets, which is common with other solar panels. This solar panel is a perfect blend of technology and craftsmanship to bring you one of the best flexible panels you will ever encounter.
The EFTE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) found in the first layer of the panel has significant sunlight absorption to reflection ratio. Although expensive, it’s a better alternative to PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), which, although it is a cheaper alternative and more familiar with some solar panels, reduces the solar panel’s energy output.
Furthermore, it is highly efficient and flexible and is ideal for RVs, marine boats, mobile homes, and other applications. However, it is advisable not to fold the solar panel more than 10o to avoid damaging it.
Suppose you are looking for a waterproof solar panel, flexible, lightweight, durable, and resistant to harsh operating conditions in a marine environment. In that case, the Lensun 100W 12V Black Fiberglass Semi-Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel is what you have been looking for all along.
Pros + Key Features
- It is resistant to stain and seawater corrosion
- It makes use of the more expensive EFTE which absorbs light better
- It features a fiberglass back-sheet
- It is highly efficient and durable
Are Flexible Solar Panels Good?
Many wonder if there are any good to flexible solar panels and why they should bother with it at all.
Yes, Flexible Solar Panels are good and even better than conventional solar panels. It can fit many types of solar projects. Also, it can be mounted on rooftops that can’t bear much weight as they are lightweight.
Furthermore, they can fit into almost any surface type due to their flexibility, from boats, cabins, carports, and other less conventional areas. Financially, the best flexible solar panels cost less than regular solar panels. It also saves you the installation cost as you can install the solar panel by yourself without contacting an expert.
There are some disadvantages to the flexible solar pane. One of them is that it is less efficient than the classic panels, with an efficiency rate of between 7% to 13% as against 16% to 20% obtainable with traditional solar panels.
Despite these minor cons, if you are looking for a solar panel that will last for a long time, is lightweight, and flexible, then the flexible solar panel will do just fine. They are ideal for smaller mobile solar panels, which require less energy.
How to install flexible solar panels?
After choosing the type of solar panel to buy, the next question will be how to install the flexible solar panel. You need not contact an expert as it can do yourself; all it takes is a surface.
The installation process is often relatively straightforward, depending on where you wish the panel to be installed. If you purchased a flexible solar panel with a pre-drilled grommet, then you are just in luck. However, to ensure the solar panel won’t fall off, especially during heavy rain or wind, it’s best to screw down the solar panel to the surface.
While some do not have a problem screwing down their solar panel to any surface, some people are uncomfortable with this. If you belong to the latter group, you can get plywood backing where the solar panel can be screwed on rather than drill holes through your boat, roof, or RV.
You could also use adhesive glue or tape to hold the panel tightly to the surface. This would ensure the solar panel doesn’t come off once you are done installing set up the entire system (you can discover how that is done in the manual that comes with the solar panel). After that, your solar panel is ready to use; you can now enjoy an uninterrupted power supply more cheaply and cost-effectively.
Conclusion
Flexible panels, a new and better improvement option from conventional solar panels, are affordable and help save our environment and natural resources from depletion.
Suppose ever you want to go camping with friends and family. In that case, boat cruising, or need an alternative source of light in your home, having any best flexible solar panels installed and uninstalled from any surface will ensure you never stay in darkness.
Yes, there are many products available in the market but nothing as good as the ones reviewed in this article, so go ahead and make a choice, you will be glad you did.
Read more: How to choose and set up the best solar charge controllers?
We glued the Renogy flexible solar cell onto the top of our tent trailer. The 100-watt unit was more than adequate to keep our battery charged. We used an electric water pump, fan, lights, and gas heater with a fan, and never saw our voltage drop over the week. This is an excellently constructed solar cell and performed as advertised.
I bought the GIARIDE panel because the width was perfect for allowing me to put two of them side-by-side on my SUV roof. They were easy to install and generate a ton of power on the go. They easily charge 3 car batteries during the day and keep my 12V refrigerator going no problem. They flex just enough to conform to the curvature of the roof but are stiff enough they won’t just blow around in the wind. Surprisingly good panels, hopefully, they last through the winter months up there on the roof.
I am very happy with my Renogy 100 Watt flexible solar panel. I use it to charge my Webetop 155Wh 42000mAh Portable Generator Power Inverter Battery 100W. I was experimenting to see if it would charge thru the windshield. To my delight, it did!
I bought Renogy 100 Watt to replace a Photonics Universe one that had failed. Immediately noticed the far better quality. Puts a good charge into the leisure battery even in low sunlight cloudy conditions.
Renogy 100 Watt solar panel is the best one. I really like your article because you covered everything. Thanks
This article is really good and it helped me in buying ALL POWERS panel. Thanks you!