SOLAR PANELS (1 Viewer)

[Middy42]

Can someone please tell me does a stick on panel give the same output as a crystal one Barrie

 

[Camping Gaza]

normally yes i have 3

 

[Freespirit1]

Semi flexible stick on panels come polycrystalline and monocrystaline the latter being more or less the same or even better output as the rigid type in frames in equivalent quoted wattage - another advantage they are a fraction of the weight of the rigid ones.

I have 2 brand new ones for sale here in classifieds

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[Richard n Ann]

Semi flexible stick on panels come polycrystalline and monocrystaline the latter being more or less the same or even better output as the rigid type in frames in equivalent quoted wattage - another advantage they are a fraction of the weight of the rigid ones.

I have 2 brand new ones for sale here in classifieds

Yes but they don't last as long, the output can drop dramatically in 5 years.

 

[Freespirit1]

Yes but they don't last as long, the output can drop dramatically in 5 years.

Maybe you speak from experience? Perhaps the make model etc would give us a better idea of weather that statement is correct?

 

[Richard n Ann]

I read it on A&N caravans website I'll see if I can find a link.

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[34127]

Quote from Photonic Universe website

In addition, solar cells are guaranteed to produce at least 90% of nominal power in 10 years after purchase and at least 80% of nominal power in 25 years after purchase. This warranty is provided by the manufacturer of solar cells

 

[Richard n Ann]

Here it is, paragraph 7

http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/solar-power.php

 

[TheCaller]

Yes but they don't last as long, the output can drop dramatically in 5 years.

I read it on A&N caravans website I'll see if I can find a link.

I think that page was written quite a while ago & there certainly were plenty of horror stories about the early failure of flexible panels. My impression (& it is no more than that) is that the longevity of flexible panels has improved quite a bit in recent years.

I still wouldn't expect them to last as long as a rigid panel though. Careful study of the performance specification of the chosen panel would be required, but where ease of fitment & weight saving are important considerations, the compromise on lifetime might be acceptable.

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[bubble63]

my 100w flexible panel went open circuit afer 18 months, imposible to remove, so ended up mounting a regular one over the op of it
never again flexible

 

[Lee Fryer]

my 100w flexible panel has been on for 4 years & still going strong.
Lee

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes but they don't last as long, the output can drop dramatically in 5 years.

Agree and should not be fitted to GRP roofs.

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[funflair]

@Lenny HB interested as to why these flexi panels should not be fitted to fibreglass roof?

Martin

 

[Northernraider]

@Lenny HB interested as to why these flexi panels should not be fitted to fibreglass roof?

Martin

Because when the pack in its almost impossible to remove without damaging the GRP

 

[funflair]

Because when the pack in its almost impossible to remove without damaging the GRP

OK but I wouldn't fancy taking one off an alloy roof either which I guess is why I would not be keen to fit on in the first place, to be honest if I really wanted one that bad I would put it on a plate and mount it on feet with a slight air gap, I don't see the point of stick on low profile when we all have sky lights sticking up 100mm.

Granted they will be lighter, but I am not that bothered about weight.

Martin

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[Northernraider]

OK but I wouldn't fancy taking one off an alloy roof either which I guess is why I would not be keen to fit on in the first place, to be honest if I really wanted one that bad I would put it on a plate and mount it on feet with a slight air gap, I don't see the point of stick on low profile when we all have sky lights sticking up 100mm.

Martin

Just removing my old reverse camera managed to. Lift a small part of the GRP off.... I hate to imagine the damage removing a solar panel.
But likewise I don't see the benefit of a stick on one to save height but if the roofs entirely flat and you don't plan to own the van long enough to need to replace them perhaps

 

[funflair]

Just removing my old reverse camera managed to. Lift a small part of the GRP off.... I hate to imagine the damage removing a solar panel.
But likewise I don't see the benefit of a stick on one to save height but if the roofs entirely flat and you don't plan to own the van long enough to need to replace them perhaps

If it's a moulded back panel it will just be the Gel coat that has come away and is dead easy to fix, the latest fibreglass roofs (as demanded by German insurance companies I have been told) are a completely different construction to a standard moulded panel.

Martin

 

[Lenny HB]

@Lenny HB interested as to why these flexi panels should not be fitted to fibreglass roof?

Martin

The localised heat generated by them causes the gel coat to blister and lift.

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[two]

I'm not aware of any side-by-side demonstration of performance but have come across many claims in marketing material. I doubt that one type of panel is much better than another and, even if there was an improvement, I'd bet that the difference is small. When someone says "X is better than Y", ask them "How much better?" and I doubt they will have any supportable measure.
I had flexible panels on a steel boat for over 12 years. They were still doing their job when sold it but I never measured the power they produced so do not know by how much their output had deteriorated.
I'd be happy to stick a flexible panel on my moho roof. Lighter, less obtrusive and less wind resistance... and I wouldn't worry about performance differences.
It's sometimes difficult to separate fact from opinion.

 

[funflair]

The localised heat generated by them causes the gel coat to blister and lift.

It shouldn't really but at least it will make them easier to remove and the Gel would be an easy repair

Martin

 

[Lenny HB]

I had flexible panels on a steel boat for over 12 years. They were still doing their job when sold it but I never measured the power they produced so do not know by how much their output had deteriorated.
.

Even the manufacturers quote 50% loss over 5 years compared to a conventional panel's 20% over 20 years.

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[34127]

Even the manufacturers quote 50% loss over 5 years compared to a conventional panel's 20% over 20 years.

Not all manufacturers
As I posted earlier, this is a quote from Photonic Universe website

In addition, solar cells are guaranteed to produce at least 90% of nominal power in 10 years after purchase and at least 80% of nominal power in 25 years after purchase. This warranty is provided by the manufacturer of solar cells