120 watt flexible solar panel for $119 from SolarBlvd

I made the frame with aluminum channel similar to what's used with the standard glass panels. I used stainless steel 8-32 machine screws spaced about 8" apart around the edge.

This is looking from the back side.

Tom_M wrote:
I replaced a 125 watt panel with a 180 watt flexible panel two years ago. I made a frame to mount the flexible panel which is mounted to side of my coach. The 125 watt weighed 27 lbs. and the 180 weighs 12 lbs. Makes it much easier to remove. It's still working well. The 125 watt is now permanently mounted on the roof.

What kind of frame did you make? Is the panel supported just on the edges?

I replaced a 125 watt panel with a 180 watt flexible panel two years ago. I made a frame to mount the flexible panel which is mounted to side of my coach. The 125 watt weighed 27 lbs. and the 180 weighs 12 lbs. Makes it much easier to remove. It's still working well. The 125 watt is now permanently mounted on the roof.

solar blvd has 120W fixed panels for $96. Unless you really need the flexibility, the fixed panel is a better deal.

when mounting these panels you REALLY need an airspace under them to take away heat. Heat kills solar cell output and efficiency since the cells drop voltage as temp goes up and leakage current rises as well.

All in all, not a good situation. they already get a significant heat rise with decent airflow.

Renogy had a 100 watt flexible panel that had such a high failure rate that they stopped selling them.
Then many suspiciously similar rebranded panels popped up elsewhere for slightly cheaper.

My neighbor lady who owns an Airstream had one of these installed. Since this literally hugs the curved surface, it tends to magnify the heat generated by the aluminum roof.

She claims that it quits working on a really hot day.

I would treat this panel as if it were completely inflexible. The bonus primarily being it's weight reduction. I also would tend to lay a sheet of glass over-top in a permanent installation.

If sunlight can be kept from it, spray urethane foam is unbelievably sticky, strong and long-lived. The leading edge of this panel should have a small angle-aluminum border to prevent wind from gaining purchase. I would clean the roof attachment points with tire repair liquid cleaner first.

I suspect there is a good reason they are marked down to $119

oh well, they looked nice.