solar panels , the soft kind

Happywanderer · The Master

solar panels , the soft kind

grandpabob · Senior Member

Information I have on them is that they are not as effective as the solid type.

Check ebay and compare pricing and performance between the solid and flexible type.

If you think storage is a problem with the solid type maybe look at a 120watt fitted to your lift up roof.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks for that info grandpabob. Probably not a good idea then.
My first idea was your last suggestion of 120 w fitted to the pop top roof as it won't fitin the well above the cab.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

The weight of the 120w panel on the roof Marj shouldn't cause to much problem for you, they are not that heavy. Have it fitted to the centre though.

Go with a true and tested way Marj.

Happywanderer · The Master

Hi Doug. Right in the middle of my poptop roof is a windup window so it will.have to go just forward of that.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Shouldn't be a problem anyway Marj, maybe just cut a length of timber the same length as the roof supports and wedge next to the supports at that end just as extra support. It will just take any extra pressure away. Just a thought.

Plendo · Guru

Hi Marj, I have recently tested a pair of semi flexible solar panels, they are not the roll up ones you are referring to but are lightweight (about 1.6kg) and thin (3mm), they are slightly flexible which suits me as I will be gluing them to the caravan roof.

When I tested them I found that they were harvesting the same amount of power I would have expected from a heavy rigid unit. The ones I tested are 100W and about 1m by 540mm. The only drawback I have found with them is cost, they are over twice the price of an equivalent rigid panel.

While I am gluing some on the roof, I also plan to experiment with a couple of portable units that I can set up free standing, I also plan to make a small cheap device that will help the panel to follow the sun.

I am certainly happy with the pair I tested, I have bought more for the roof of the van.

VKPORTABLE · Senior Member

Happywanderer wrote:
Does anyone have an opinion on the soft rollup kind that get.stuck down on the roof of the van. Not sure what they are called.

Rubber!

countryroad · Senior Member

I saw one for sale on ebay tonight, ...$1050.00, showed several pics.

had it displayed across a windscreen. Maybe they decided it wasn't much chop.

Happywanderer · The Master

Rubber Solar Panels, is that what they are called?
Decided against them anyway, they don't sound as good as the regular ones.

brandydod · Member

Was looking for something similar and found these. Solar Online Australia Uni solar 136w flexible panels Buy one $299 and get one free. Maybe worth a look.Scroll to the bottom of the solar panel page.

Happywanderer · The Master

That looks interesting and a great price brandydod. Will have a look tomorrow.

Ron and Shirley · Senior Member

countryroad wrote:
had it displayed across a windscreen. Maybe they decided it wasn't much chop.

Maybe not!

We have had a UniSolar 32w flexible panel since 1998.

We went with this as it could be stored under the mattress of the Campertrailer when not in use.

It was mainly used to supply charge to the vehicles secondary battery when stationary for lengthy periods to keep the Engel fridge in the vehicle going.

To achieve this we placed the panel across the vehicles windscreen, which also reduced the sun heating the vehicles interior.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks for that info Ron and Shirley. I find that very interesting. I see yours is only a 34w., and it does the job well.
Interesting youve had it so long and it is still in good condition?
Might have to think more on this option.
The deal above mentioned by brandydod looks good.

Plendo · Guru

I suspect the Uni Solar flexible panel is not what you are looking for, it is 5.4 meters long!

It is very inefficient, taking over 2 square meters to generate 136 watts, where a more traditional light weight panel takes 0.5 square meters to generate 100 watts.

The traditional panels still use solar cells cut from a large block of silicon, and as such they are stiff and fragile, typical conversion efficiencies (how much of the light hitting it is converted to electricity) is between 16% and 21%. Some are now claiming 22%, things must have improved since I was in the industry.

The flexible panels use what is called amorphous silicon (it is added to the substrate almost like a paint), and typically achieve conversion efficiencies well below 10%, 6% was common in my day.

There are new technologies coming, the most promising of which is graphene (the new wonder material of the 21st century) wher eit looks as if flexibility and high conversion efficiency may be achieved at the same time. There is a huge amount of development happening in these areas, as an example Nokia have recently received a 1 BILLION euro grant to develop graphene.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thanks Plendo. I looked at the measurements but obviously not hard enough.

countryroad · Senior Member

I love that Ron and Shirley. you could face into the sun, move the vehicle to get more sun.