Flexible or conventional solar panels for TC?
My questions pertain only to physical mounting on my TC. I'm an electrical engineer, and already have done several solar setups. I have 600w of solar right now on the Shotwagon (my trailer in the si...
Forum Discussion
I have used flexible panels on boats, along with many of my friends.
First of all, the semi-flexible panels can be made with the same monocrystalline cells as rigid panels. You are not going to find the most efficient ones in a $99 panel, whether flexible or rigid. Long ago, flexible and semi-flexible panels were only made with amorphous or polycrystalline cells which aren't as area efficient. The best semi flexible panels are as efficient in area as the best rigid panels.
Second, It isn't just heat transference to the roof or longevity: panel output is rated under "standard" conditions which means a panel at 77 deg surface temp. As most of you know, they will run well above that on a sunny day. As the temp goes up, the output goes down, and the drop is significant - up to 30 or 40 percent less when very hot. Having space behind the panels cools them some. It isn't tremendous difference but it helps.
Third, semi-flexible monocrystalline panels have issues with delamination, even the very best brands costing $800/panel. This is a constant headache on boats, where rigid panels are impractical in many situations. Most are guaranteed for a long time for output, but for a very short time for delamination. For this reason alone, I would use rigid panels if they can be practically used. The only time I would use semi-flexible is if they were required to sit directly on top of a curved surface, or you had to walk on them. I have $5000 of semi-flexible panels on my boat, the finest brand at the time made in Germany. About half of them have now failed from delamination, the first happened only 3 years in. My experience is typical compared to other boat owners I talk to.
First of all, the semi-flexible panels can be made with the same monocrystalline cells as rigid panels. You are not going to find the most efficient ones in a $99 panel, whether flexible or rigid. Long ago, flexible and semi-flexible panels were only made with amorphous or polycrystalline cells which aren't as area efficient. The best semi flexible panels are as efficient in area as the best rigid panels.
Second, It isn't just heat transference to the roof or longevity: panel output is rated under "standard" conditions which means a panel at 77 deg surface temp. As most of you know, they will run well above that on a sunny day. As the temp goes up, the output goes down, and the drop is significant - up to 30 or 40 percent less when very hot. Having space behind the panels cools them some. It isn't tremendous difference but it helps.
Third, semi-flexible monocrystalline panels have issues with delamination, even the very best brands costing $800/panel. This is a constant headache on boats, where rigid panels are impractical in many situations. Most are guaranteed for a long time for output, but for a very short time for delamination. For this reason alone, I would use rigid panels if they can be practically used. The only time I would use semi-flexible is if they were required to sit directly on top of a curved surface, or you had to walk on them. I have $5000 of semi-flexible panels on my boat, the finest brand at the time made in Germany. About half of them have now failed from delamination, the first happened only 3 years in. My experience is typical compared to other boat owners I talk to.
