Flexi solar panels

Ian1801

Ian1801

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Feb 24, 2017
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N lincolnshire
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Bessacarr 424
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anyone tried the flexi solar panels interested in any reviews.

Ian
 
Some say they fail early, others don't, personally I've had one on my current camper for nearly 3 years and it's performed faultlessly ... its only 60W but we wild camp/use aires all the time on our 7 week holidays (twice a year) and we've never had issues with running out of juice, with a previous 75w standard panel we came close at times. So IMV they are great and easier to fit, the only downside seems to be that they can cost more than a standard panel the the overall cost is probably roughly the same (once you add in the price of the supports for a standard panel) but of course there is a massive weight saving.
 
If I were going for solar the thing that might make me choose them is as they sit lower there should be less wind noise and less weight
 
I had one fail (150 watt) within 2 years, got a replacement under warranty, but boy, what a right royal pain unsticking the old one. I think if I was doing it again, I'd try and mount it via some brackets, but don't know if it would flap or lift when travelling ?
 
I was told they tend to overheat , is that what went wrong with yours ?

Regards
Ian

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Ours works fine 160w stuck directly to the roof with Sikoflex
3years old now.
 
I have 3 100watt panels stuck down on roof with good old sikoflex been up there for 4 years no problems, if you wish to remove use cheese wire, have removed lots of things that are stuck down with sikoflex.
 
@Ian1801, not sure what actually failed on mine, they just stopped producing a voltage. Once I had the old ones off the roof, I broke open the "potted" terminal box and dug out the diodes, but they checked out fine and I couldn't see anything obvious on the lattice work connecting up the cells either.
 
I understand a lot of Boat Owners use them, I had them on my Last Motorhome, they where 2 to 3 years old and still OK when I sold it.

There is an opinion that those who have issues do spend more time in hotter climates?.
 
What about sticking them down to a thin aluminium sheet then bolting that down to aluminium channel? The aluminium sheet will conduct a bit of heat away at the edges and there'll be a 20mm cooling gap underneath (y)
 
I was thinking of sticking them to aluminium sheet with a gap, any recommendations on make of panel kit

Ian
 
They're already laminated onto a backing sheet of around 3mm thick aluminium, can't see how adding another sheet would make any difference and also, in most cases, you'll be fixing them to an aluminium roof anyway ?
 
jockaneezer said:
They're already laminated onto a backing sheet of around 3mm thick aluminium, can't see how adding another sheet would make any difference and also, in most cases, you'll be fixing them to an aluminium roof anyway ?
Click to expand...

Oh, not very flexible then?
The extra aluminium sheet would be bigger so you can bolt it down rather than glue it.
 
The aluminium is very soft, I dinged a corner of mine just getting the panel out of it's cardboard sleeve. I think you can buy plastic brackets to mount them with now, the panels come with drilled holes around the edge, fitted with stainless ferrules.

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That's the problem our is the new swift gps system not a aluminium roof so the heat issue is a bit of a worry, should of kept my old swift Sundance 500

Ian
 
When I first got the moho five years ago I had 2 x 90w rigid solar panels fitted then a couple of years later added an extra 50w flexible panel to the remaining roof space available. Physically, the rigid panels are almost like new unlike the flexible panel which hasn't fared well. I cant tell if the flexible panel is still working as the input display only gives a reading of total amps combined. I would definitely stick with rigid panels in the future
 
Last edited:
Any thoughts on this ? I found the following to be an interesting option as a method of fixing down flexi panels . ... Seems to be addressing and solving the problems of ventilation // overheating associated with flexi panels // maintaining a lightweight advantage of flexi panels over rigid panels . Also allowing for keeping the air flow areas under the panel clear of debris , moss etc ....... Scroll down the link page to see the detail ref using multi layered, vented poly carbonate sheets ( like used on conservatorty roofs) as a panel mounting option .

https://itechworld.com.au/blogs/learn/mounting-flexible-solar-panels
 
That’s quite a good idea thanks for all the advise.
Ian
 
tomm said:
Any thoughts on this ? I found the following to be an interesting option as a method of fixing down flexi panels . ... Seems to be addressing and solving the problems of ventilation // overheating associated with flexi panels // maintaining a lightweight advantage of flexi panels over rigid panels . Also allowing for keeping the air flow areas under the panel clear of debris , moss etc ....... Scroll down the link page to see the detail ref using multi layered, vented poly carbonate sheets ( like used on conservatorty roofs) as a panel mounting option .

https://itechworld.com.au/blogs/learn/mounting-flexible-solar-panels
Click to expand...

Plastic will insulate them, as above but aluminium would be much better. I suppose even the glue will insulate.

If you stick down about 6 aluminium channels you could just stick it to them in lines, leaving a good percentage underneath to ventilate.

Actually, all that faffing, they're twice the price and don't last as long... just fit a rigid one (n):D2

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If you want an air gap, use rigid panels and save some money.
Efficiency will only drop when there's plenty of sun and that might be self-compensating.
If you use flexible panels and one fails, either stick the next on on top or do the same with a rigid one.
 
scotjimland said:
is that the recommended adhesive for fixing ?

don't envy you taking it off if/when it fails.. :eek:
Click to expand...
Would probably look at fixing one the same size over the top if it didn't want to come off.
 

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