Flexible solar panel longevity?
I'm starting to outfit my latest camper and am thinking of using flexible panels instead of traditional ones. I've used a flexible as a front window shade in my Alaskan setup and worked fairly well b...
Forum Discussion
I've had a couple for only a year.
My understanding is that the problem lies in how people are using them. If you glue them down or mount them so there is no air space between the panels and the roof (or whatever you are mounting them on) then they tend to overheat and fail prematurely. If you mount them where there can be some air that circulates behind the panel, then they will likely last much longer.
I actually made a frame for mine and use them as a portable panel. I wanted the light weight, rather than the typical suitcase panels which are glass, plus I got 240 watts out of mine, where the the typical suitcase panel is 100 watts.
My understanding is that the problem lies in how people are using them. If you glue them down or mount them so there is no air space between the panels and the roof (or whatever you are mounting them on) then they tend to overheat and fail prematurely. If you mount them where there can be some air that circulates behind the panel, then they will likely last much longer.
I actually made a frame for mine and use them as a portable panel. I wanted the light weight, rather than the typical suitcase panels which are glass, plus I got 240 watts out of mine, where the the typical suitcase panel is 100 watts.
