Flexible Solar Panels

[Datenight]

As I begin my upgrade to LifePo4 batteries I am also upgrading my solar. The plan is to go from 600 watts to 2000 watts. While searching the net I came across this Amazon.com on Amazon. Is it really possible to get this much power in so small a footprint? If this is real, I could go with an even bigger solar array. Seems too good to be true…

Batteries are four Eco Worthy 280 AH, Bluetooth and low temp protection. Not heated. I will not be using the controllers that come with the panels. MPPT controllers, CERBO, Lynx power in, Smart Shunt, DC to DC chargers and inverter/charger will be (thanks Peter) the great blue wall. Alternator will be set up for external regulation. Leaning toward Balmar for that.

Any comments on the panels would be welcome.

Rob

 

[Portage_Bay]

It does sound too good to be true. Here's an idea. Go to a more reputable source that sells flexible panels and compare output for similar size panels.

 

[mvweebles]

Wow!!! Specs on those panels are are, well, unbelievable! Under 5-lbs and 500w from just over a 1/2 sq meters of flexible panels.

Very tempting to give them a try. Would be great if they are up to spec. I guess with Amazon you could return within 30-days.

Keep the updates coming please. And good luck.

Peter

 

[Comodave]

It looks a bit questionable to me. The product description is strange, maybe just cut and paste. No reviews at all.

 

[Bmarler]

Color me skeptical

 

[mvweebles]

@Portage_Bay got me thinking about comparing to other brands. Reminded me that "Jasonoid," a YouTube recently reviewed latest/greatest panel (rigid 12V BougeRV HERE). He's fairly impressed with the performance - it's essentially a 10% performance upgrade with the new technology. If you do the math, it is rated at 0.13W per square inch. For comparison, the Amazon link @Datenight posted is a tad over 0.5W/sq in --- or 4X more efficient from a "Generic" brand! Said another way, the Generic Brand panel gets 2.5x more power from a panel that is 33% smaller than the bi-facial 'new technology' panel.

Peter

 

[Datenight]

A typical hard 540 watt panel is about 45” x 90”. That’s why I am questioning the size vs. output. May be worth testing one during the return period. Thanks Peter.

Rob

 

[Don L]

As I begin my upgrade to LifePo4 batteries I am also upgrading my solar. The plan is to go from 600 watts to 2000 watts. While searching the net I came across this Amazon.com on Amazon. Is it really possible to get this much power in so small a footprint? If this is real, I could go with an even bigger solar array. Seems too good to be true…

Batteries are four Eco Worthy 280 AH, Bluetooth and low temp protection. Not heated. I will not be using the controllers that come with the panels. MPPT controllers, CERBO, Lynx power in, Smart Shunt, DC to DC chargers and inverter/charger will be (thanks Peter) the great blue wall. Alternator will be set up for external regulation. Leaning toward Balmar for that.

Any comments on the panels would be welcome.

Rob

Not a single review. Do you want to be the first? If they have the magical solar panel they wouldn't be selling cheap on Amazon.

 

[Delta Riverat]

I don't believe it either.

Today we put up 600 watts of flex solar on the fly Bimini, Bouge RV, 3 each 200 watts thin film panels, 6 pounds each. They are 7 feet long and over 2 feet wide. One of them costs more than the whole "Generic" system with controller.

 

[O C Diver]

While flexible panels are lighter and conform to non flat surfaces, I'm not sure the shorter life makes them a good long term investment. There are a couple sailboats in my marina in Florida that have them. They mounted them permanently. It appears they are turning opaque in only a few years. Haven't talked with either owner, but can't imagine the output isn't being degraded.

Now maybe some are better than other, but how do you chase down companies when their product has infant mortality.

Ted

 

[slowgoesit]

Rob, I would run, not walk away from that "deal". The efficiency they are stating is just not supported by current solar technology. As stated, it's about 4x what the top of the line panels are reporting.
Your LiFePO4 install pretty much mirrors our install. We put ours in 3 1/2 years ago. We went with rigid panels, and put up 2,880 watts. It is a total game changer! We have some issues with shading from the mast and paravane outriggers, so we went with 8 individual Victron MPPT controllers to help deal with that. We have never actually seen 2,880 watts, but have routinely gotten over 2,000 watts in direct sunlight. Not bad for never facing directly at the sun!
One last note. Flexible panels, especially those mounted to a rigid structure (like the cabin top) get really HOT, and their life expectancy, based on people actual experience here and on other forums is not good. Typically 3 to 5 years max from what I've seen. The Wynns panels started failing less than 1 year in, and they were top of the line. Something to consider . . .
By the way, I love your boat!
Best of luck in whatever you decide!

 

[Fletcher500]

I asked that question on Cruisers Forum a few years ago where there are a lot of distance sailors who use flex panels on their Bimini. Solbian panels got high marks from everyone that used them. I have had them for a few years and they work as advertised and hold up well but I take mine down Dec to March when higher winds occur. They are $ compared to other flex panels but appear to be worth it. I have ridgid panels on our RV and the yield between the two are fairy similar.

 

[JackConnick]

I added 3 of these Lightleaf 180 watt panels to a couple of bars across and on top of my bimini. They are very strong and light. I do wish I had one more, but there was no room.

Technology of LightLeaf Solar Panels — LightLeaf Solar

Aerospace carbon composite materials meet the world of solar energy - with Rigid Overlay Composite (ROC™) technology. Solar panels that are lightweight, rigid, and tough.

www.lightleafsolar.com

 

[Datenight]

Peter, I watched the video. Thanks. I have been looking at bifacial panels.
Slowgoesit et.all, as noted in my original post “Seems to good to be true…”.
I was worried about heat build up. The panels I have now are in an enclosed fiberglass frame. I think that has led to their degradation. I can fit two (rigid) 540’s on the pilot house. Probably 450’s on the hardtop unless I let them hang 7” over each side. They are still well inside the beam of the boat but not as aesthetically pleasing.

The flexible panels were not even on my radar due to what I have heard about their longevity. They popped up while looking for other solar equipment. I do plan to have a controller per location.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Slowgoesit thanks for the compliment on Datenight. It has been everything we hoped for. Perfect (for us) Bahamas boat, and New England cruiser.

Rob

 

[DDW]

I would not use flexible panels unless absolutely necessary. The do not last. Even the manufacturers acknowledge this in their warrantees. Typically 1 or 2 years for flexible, 15 - 20 for rigid.

Those ones linked on Amazon are bogus, I'm willing to bet quite a lot of money on that!

 

[SteveK]

On Amazon.ca they list for $335 on sale for $227 CAN$
Tempting.

 

[Fletcher500]

The sailboat next to me has Flex Panels and they are toast. The Solbian Panels on my Bim are 3 years old, in great condition and will probably last another 5 plus years. As noted, these panels are more $ than the Chinese versions. Key thing, I wash them with soap and water every month and UV protectant every 3 to 4 mos. Ridgid are superior to Flex but for our use case these panels on the Bim have worked out well.

 

[Uisce Beo]

Those panels would be setting a record for efficiency and be truly leading edge tech. The solar constant is generally agreed to be 1370 watts per square meter. So those panels are nearly 100% efficient. Current solar panels run 15 to 20 percent efficient with really high tech, expensive panels pushing 30%.
So the panels are either ground breaking new tech or a fraud.
BTW, I have 12 flexible panels on a curved metal roof. Zero issues in 30 months. They do get hot and don’t produce as much power in summer. Maybe 10% less. But summer is when the weather is sunnier and the days are longer so it sort of balances out.

 

[SteveK]

Those panels would be setting a record for efficiency and be truly leading edge tech. The solar constant is generally agreed to be 1370 watts per square meter. So those panels are nearly 100% efficient. Current solar panels run 15 to 20 percent efficient with really high tech, expensive panels pushing 30%.
So the panels are either ground breaking new tech or a fraud.
BTW, I have 12 flexible panels on a curved metal roof. Zero issues in 30 months. They do get hot and don’t produce as much power in summer. Maybe 10% less. But summer is when the weather is sunnier and the days are longer so it sort of balances out.

How is the 1370 watts per square meter calculated approx. 39x39=1521 inches. The size is about the same as a 2-100W panels. Is that an average day of sun about 7.5 hours?
The panels being discussed claim 30% efficiency.

 

[Uisce Beo]

How is the 1370 watts per square meter calculated approx. 39x39=1521 inches. The size is about the same as a 2-100W panels. Is that an average day of sun about 7.5 hours?
The panels being discussed claim 30% efficiency.

That 1370 is at the top of the atmosphere. There is only X amount of energy in solar radiation. It isn't unlimited. At sea level it is generally agreed to be about 1000w per square meter.
30% efficiency is still close to record setting.

 

[Frosty]

Nothing new in my reply, but just another voice singing in the choir:

I had three different sets (in succession) of flex panels I used with an RV as "extra" panels I could set out (2x 100 watts). (Just "normal" brands, not Solbian, etc. but all three sets were different brands.)

I babied them! Only put them out in good weather (kept them rigid and flat, made sure the backside was open to ventilation), otherwise stored them in a fleece pillowcase type thing in the original boxes, upright, strapped in place indoors.

They still only lasted a year or so (all three sets failed in turn). I finally threw in the towel and instead now use rigid aluminum/glass panels (which are somewhat more annoying to handle and store but last and last).

I've been using the same set of 2x 100 watt rigid panels doing that same job for like 8 years now. Only failure was when, in 2020, someone on an ATV purposely veered over to run over one of my panels, then sped off laughing. That separated the glass from the frame in one corner. I cleaned it up, caulked that area and let it set up while clamped, and it's still working in 2025.

So while I can't speak to the fancy brands (which sound like they are better), I would now only buy the typical "flexible" panels if there was no way I could instead run the rigid glass/aluminum ones*

*In fact I do still have one flexible panel I keep stored under the v-berth cushions, just in case I need extra power -- but I'm not sure I'd replace it once it fails.

 

[Mac2]

Bifacial panels have been mentioned a couple times. Any real world comparison’s to what is advertised? My rigid solar (horizontal to the water) is on the flybridge-20 feet above the water. Would I get any noticeable improvements from the reflection off the water?

 

[mvweebles]

Bifacial panels have been mentioned a couple times. Any real world comparison’s to what is advertised? My rigid solar (horizontal to the water) is on the flybridge-20 feet above the water. Would I get any noticeable improvements from the reflection off the water?

I doubt there would be much of a bump with bifacial on a boat our an RV. Possible exception would be sailboats with an arch where the underside of the panels are fairly unobstructed.

I retired from BP. One of their divisions was one of Europe's largest solar producers. I was on a call with their COO who said bifacials were yielding 15% more energy which significantly altered the business case for replacement, enough that they were replacing legacy panels as fast as they could. However, that's a wholesaler who sells every single watt - a retail user won't use all their watts. so a much different business case.

Peter

 

[Marco Flamingo]

Would I get any noticeable improvements from the reflection off the water?

I have a single BF 200W off the side of my FB rail. Sun off to that side enough to get a reflection and I have seen 220W. Most have never seen full rated output on their panels, I do, so I have to figure bifacial works.

I have had excellent results from flexible. 10 years on top of a yurt. Produced fine. 10 years on cabin of C Dory and going strong. Tow C Dory at +60 and stays put. 1/2"air space under may be the secret.

 

[Delta Riverat]

Hopefully my Bouge RV CIGS will work and last. They will be parked under a roof most of the time and the mounting surface is canvas so heat should not be a problem.