Flexible Solar Panel - Will This Wire Cause Problems
FedEx just delivered my 100W flexible solar panel. I noticed this wire sticking out. Do you solar gurus think it will cause issues/problems down the line when it's out in the weather?
Forum Discussion
This panel works well as a stand-alone panel set out against a tree trunk, a low hill, a picnic table, or a tent. It has a series of six grommets on the edges and can be tied off for support in breezes.
While it is flexible (as shown in the OP's pix), it is not much more flexible than that. The rollable panels that are out there now are MUCH more flexible, although not nearly as efficient. This panel's efficiency rating is just under 20%, which I believe rivals or beats many of the glass-encased panels (I promised I wouldn't call them "boat anchors" anymore).
IMO it's a shame to glue this panel down. It is light enough to set out in the full sun while your RV sits in the cool shade. And because it's easier to reposition than a lawn gnome or even a flamingo, you can keep it aimed directly at the sun, something you can never do in a flat install.
OP--I haven't made any supports for the panels yet, since I'm mostly camping near trees and/or hillsides (or at least picnic tables) and so I have found plenty of ready-made supports. I imagine just some lengths of dowling attached to cord looped through the grommets out to do the trick.
For me, these panels have revolutionized my solar energy harvesting, and I'm already laying in preparations to double my capacity, from 200w to 400w--all of it set out in a clearing 50 or even 100 feet from my RV or tent.
While it is flexible (as shown in the OP's pix), it is not much more flexible than that. The rollable panels that are out there now are MUCH more flexible, although not nearly as efficient. This panel's efficiency rating is just under 20%, which I believe rivals or beats many of the glass-encased panels (I promised I wouldn't call them "boat anchors" anymore).
IMO it's a shame to glue this panel down. It is light enough to set out in the full sun while your RV sits in the cool shade. And because it's easier to reposition than a lawn gnome or even a flamingo, you can keep it aimed directly at the sun, something you can never do in a flat install.
OP--I haven't made any supports for the panels yet, since I'm mostly camping near trees and/or hillsides (or at least picnic tables) and so I have found plenty of ready-made supports. I imagine just some lengths of dowling attached to cord looped through the grommets out to do the trick.
For me, these panels have revolutionized my solar energy harvesting, and I'm already laying in preparations to double my capacity, from 200w to 400w--all of it set out in a clearing 50 or even 100 feet from my RV or tent.
