Thoughts on semi flexible panels.

[grasscutter]

With the amount of off grid we do we have decided it’s time to upgrade/fit a new system.
Not sure of our roof panel wattage but the controller is only 6 amp max and we only ever see 2.3 amps max.
The batteries are not holding charge like They were so fitting two new 85/100ah gels. Also need a new vehicle battery so will be starting afresh.
Looking on eBay I’m drawn to some of the 200/300w semi flexible panels as they are so much lighter.
What are the pro and cons compared to rigid frame panels ?
Plan to fit a new MPPT dual controller and uprate all cables.
As now given Up work and living off savings until our small pensions kick in always looking to try and find a bargain/ value for money set up.
If anyone has any recommendations I would be grateful .
Many thanks in advance.
Graham

 

[bobandjanie]

There are lots of people that tell you that, ? they don't last long, they have had to change them because they have failed, they don't work very well because they get too hot, and you need air flow under them.?
I don't know how many of them have actually owned them, or is it a friend of a friend. ?
I do know the early Biard panels failed.?

We fitted them on our last panel van conversion they were still working as they should when we sold it after over 4 years use. ?

We fitted 2 more 100w on our latest panel van conversion will be 2 years in March. ?

We only do HOT!
The panels weigh nothing ? we spend a lot of our time free parking and have 2 x 100w panels an mppt regulator and 2 x 80ah gel batteries, ? we charge 2 electric bike batteries run a spin dryer and so on of a 600w Stirling inverter, we no longer have a TV.?
So there you have it Graham, make your own mind up. ? Bob.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Rigid panels last 25 years though so it depends on how long you're keeping the van. Also with a rigid panel you can put hinges on one side and lift it up to face the sun, and see that output rocket ??

 

[Minxy]

Have a look at Tayna for the Sonnerschein gels which are virtually the same as Exide ones and just as good - they do 75ah ones (which are actually 78ah in reality but for some daft reason the model has the number 65 in it!),

GF12065Y Sonnenschein Battery (GF1265Y / GF 12 65 Y)

GF 12 65 Y Sonnenschein GEL/VRLA Battery Sonnenschein is owned by the battery manufacturing giant Exide. With over 130 years in the battery business, Exide are known for their quality in the industry. Sonnenschein were one of the first companies to develop VRLA GEL batteries and to this day they...

www.tayna.co.uk

As for semi-flexible ... we had a 60w one with a Schaudt LR1218 PWM controller on a previous camper and it worked fine, then we got a camper with an 'electric only' fridge so put 2 x identical 100w panels on with an MPPT Votronic controller but we were always concerned about the fridge and it hammered the 2 x gel batteries we had. Before we PX'd the camper recently I checked the input from the solar panels and one was about a third of the other, when I looked at them the protective coating was peeling off on both so whether this is the issue with one or not I don't know but it didn't inspire confidence.

The trouble with semi-flexible ones is you don't really know what you're buying as there isn't a lot of info on who has made them unless you go for a named brand but that costs quite a bit more than a normal rigid panel but there's still no guarantee they aren't made in the same factory as the cheapo ones.

Personally unless weight is an issue I'd stick with rigid panels especially on a totally flat MH roof as there's no space underneath to allow airflow which at least there was on my PVC with the 'corrugated' roof.

 

[Nigel Crompton]

Personal experience: I had 2x100 flexible panels (Briard, I think) fail after 25 months - they delaminated.
I'm going to fit two (Miasole) to the current van - mainly due to the long, narrow shape and my already cluttered roof. The Miasole have a 5/25 year warranty and an be fixed with double-sided tape. Allegedly.

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[DBK]

A 100W panel weighs around 10Kg from memory, perhaps a little more but you would need to be tight on payload to be concerned by such a small increase.

Flexible panels have their uses, on a pop-top or the curved roof of a boat but otherwise any advantages they might have tend to be heavily outweighed by the cost. I would go for conventional panels, second hand if you can find them on eBay. There were some good used 150W panels for sale recently and someone posted a link to them on here.

 

[Littlewheels]

400w Semiflexible, they work brilliantly,10 year guarantee, The Victonic panels and MPPT Controller are highly recommended and perform better or as good as any other brand.

 

[grasscutter]

Thanking all who have responded so far. It always helps to get other people’s feedback

 

[DBK]

I've just checked what I wrote above and was surprised to see the price of flexible panels on eBay has really come down. Some are cheaper than rigid panels now. Interesting but it makes me cautious and I wonder how long they will last?