RuggedFlex solar panels -- a significant new product??

[profdant139]

I just read this article:

Article

I don't know enough about flexible panels to evaluate this new product, but it seems like a game-changer. I wonder if it could be used for portable panels, in addition to permanent installations?

My guess it that it is kind of expensive on a "dollars per watt" basis, but the rugged engineering would provide enough value to justify the expense.

[2oldman]

I'd be leery of mounting them directly on my rubber roof. They get very hot.

[pianotuna]

3 tons,

Mine have no sign of hail damage. But mine are thin film deposited directly on an aluminum panel.

Here is a 28 page document:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj6ssXp8-DzAhUnlmoFHROaAW0Q...

[3_tons]

I wonder how they’d hold up in a hail storm??

3 tons

[wa8yxm]

Flex panels have been around for several years. but as others have said kind of $$$$iy. and as I recall not as high a power per square foot but don't quote me on that because it's been a while.

[pianotuna]

profdant139,

If you want flexible solar panels the Unisolar is hard to beat--but the company went under some time ago.

https://www.amazon.com/Uni-Solar-PVL-136-PowerBond-216-Inch-15-5-Inch/dp/B002MWFFWM/ref=sr_1_3?crid=...

Mine are on a metal substrate and are still doing their rated output. I purchased them in 2005.

[KD4UPL]

It's about 5 times more expensive than traditional panels. It's about 3% to 5% less efficient than traditional panels. The warranty is only 5 or 10 years instead of 25 years like most traditional solar panels.
Those are some big drawbacks in my opinion. Less weight, yeah, that's good, especially mounted up high. I don't think I'll be buying any.

[StirCrazy]

240.00 for a 95 watt 12V panel. no thanks...

[madjack60]

I have two 340watt panels on my class C for a year and a half. Mounted them with eternabond tape. No problems with them at all