Solar panels that are portable and malleable are termed flexible solar panels. They have countless applications due to their effortless installation process and lightweight design. This article will take a deeper look into flexible solar panels.
Composition
The photovoltaic silicon solar cells used to make traditional solar panels are also used in flexible solar panels. The only difference is in the width of the solar cells, as flexible solar panels use solar cells that are 300 times thinner than traditional solar panels. This is the reason why flexible solar panels are so pliable and light.
The surface of traditional solar panels is covered by protective metal or glass. However, a polymer known as ETFE is used in flexible solar panels. This polymer keeps the panels light and thin while also allowing them to bend easily. However, there is a catch. This flexibility also gives these panels reduced durability and low efficiency.
Uses
Hiking and Camping:
Flexible solar panels can keep your appliances or phones charged during a long hike or a camping trip. To charge your devices, it’s best to attach the flexible solar panel to your tent or backpack.
If you’re going somewhere where there won’t be many charging spots, remember to take a portable solar battery. This way, you can charge this battery during the day through flexible solar panels to power your devices at night.
Boating:
Boats have a lot of electricity consumption with functions like autopilot, navigation lights, radio systems, and many more. Here, flexible solar panels can be used for these functions while charging your boat and its battery. Small and large boats can make use of flexible solar panels.
In large boats, these panels can be used to decrease dependence on the engine to power the boat, while in smaller boats like sailboats, they can be used to keep the battery charged. Their adaptability helps since they can be installed in unused sections of your boat to produce solar energy.
Campers and RVs:
You can easily install flexible solar panels on a camper or an RV. This way, you’ll be able to power every appliance and device with solar energy. If you are also taking batteries with you, these solar panels will charge those batteries during the day.
You can use these batteries to power your RV, camper, and devices at night. Also, you won’t have to constantly worry about searching for places where you can charge your vehicle since you’ll have plenty of energy stored in your battery.
Cost
The cost of flexible solar panels is dependent on their wattage, brand, and size. Pricing generally starts with low-quality panels, which cost $100. This range ends at $500 with higher-quality modules.
Advantages
Adaptability:
Flexible solar panels, as the name suggests, are very flexible as they can bend 240 degrees and can be installed on curved surfaces easily. Unusually curved surfaces like an RV roof, the top of a van, or even a roof are no problem for flexible solar panels as they can be used on them too. Being lightweight benefits these solar panels as they can be installed on fragile and weaker surfaces without putting too much pressure or damaging them.
Installation:
Flexible solar panels require no mounting or racking. You can install them with simple adhesives like magnets or Velcro tape. Many people prefer flexible solar panels over traditional ones for portability and simple installation.
Lightweight:
Thinner solar cells make flexible solar panels significantly smaller and lighter than traditional solar panels with thick solar cells. A traditional solar panel typically weighs more than 40 pounds, while its lighter counterpart weighs between 4-10 pounds.
Portability:
Flexible solar panels are made for convenience and portability. They can fit on your hiking backpack, an RV, or a boat. They can fit in small places and are easy to carry around. You can take them anywhere. Also, if you’re installing flexible solar panels, they are very easy to install, and you’ll be able to ease yourself into powering off-grid systems.
Disadvantages
Energy Production:
You can measure the power output of anything by looking at its wattage. Flexible solar panels have a low wattage of 100 watts, while traditional solar panels have a wattage range of 300-370.
This is why flexible solar panels should only be used to charge appliances like lights, fans, laptops, or phones. If you want to power large appliances, you could buy more than one flexible panel.
Lifespan:
Traditional solar panels can last 25 years, while flexible solar panels only have a warranty of 5 years. The polymer coating and thin solar cells used for flexible solar panels shorten their life. On the other hand, traditional solar panels are made of aluminium and glass, which have a long lifespan.
Plus, flexible solar panels are made for portability, not rough use. However, when a person travels on a trail or road, some situations won’t be favourable for flexible solar panels, which can contribute to a shorter lifespan.
Efficiency:
Due to their thin solar cells, flexible solar panels have a lower efficiency than traditional solar panels. Flexible solar panels will have an efficiency rating of 7-15%, while traditional solar panels can reach 19.2% of efficiency. You’ll need more flexible solar panels to reach the efficiency of a few traditional solar panels.
This is why flexible solar panels are not the preferred choice for residential roofs as they might have limited space which couldn’t fit all the panels. There are flexible solar panels with higher efficiency. However, those come at a greater price.
Worth It?
It all depends on the application and your requirements for energy production. If you travel a lot and are in search of a portable and lightweight power source, then flexible solar panels are for you. You can hang the panels off your bag or install them on the top of your RV or boat. Plus, they can be easily installed or removed.
In the future, flexible solar panels might become a good choice for residential uses. However, today they are great for an outdoor lifestyle. Homeowners looking for a power source should settle for traditional solar panels since they are more efficient, have a longer lifespan, and can produce more power than flexible solar panels.