9 Best Flexible Solar Panels: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

Packing some tech for a 10-day camping trip: 

Smartphone — check, Kindle e-reader — check, Mavic Mini drone — check, Macbook — check. 

What’s missing? 

A power source to charge them all.

How about a fuel generator? No way. Too darn bulky, noisy, and not very efficient. 

So, how do I charge all these gadgets? 

I use flexible solar panels. In my opinion, they’re perfect for the role. You can literally fold them up and pack them with you wherever you go.

But which ones are worth buying?

Using my experience as an electrical engineer and camper, I was able to identify the best flexible solar panels you can get for this year’s camping season.

My Top 3 Picks for the Best Flexible Solar Panels

The 9 Best Flexible Solar Panels (Reviewed by An Electrical Engineer)

Things To Consider Before Buying A Flexible Solar Panel

Power

This is the most important feature when choosing the right solar panel. The higher the wattage, the more devices you can plug in, and for a longer period of time.

For example, a 100-watt flexible solar panel is often used on boats, while 200-300-watt products are used on RVs or off-grid shacks.

To meet their solar power needs, users often connect several solar panels to get the combined wattage they want. The solar panel wattage is directly proportional to its cost.

Durability

The solar panel durability depends on the materials used for the solar panel and framing. Certain types of resilient plastic are used to protect solar cells from dust and moisture.

For example, ETFE plastic is a standard in high-end products and provides better durability and light transmission than cheaper PET and PTE materials. Also, keep in mind that crystalline solar panels are considered tougher than solar panels made with thin-film technology.

Leading manufacturers also make their panels water-resistant to be safely used in marine environments.

Solar Technology

There are two solar cell technologies that dominate the flexible solar panel market: crystalline silicon and thin-film.

Installation

Unlike their rigid counterparts, you can easily install almost any kind of flexible solar panel yourself. Some even come with self-adhesive tapes or velcro, which makes the installation a no-brainer.

Still, if more methods are available, look for a company that provides a detailed installation guide. A company that invests in a quality manual is often the one that trusts the quality of its product. 

Lifespan 

Due to their bendable materials and portability, flexible solar panels can never reach the service life of their quality rooftop counterparts. You can use them for a variety of applications, but they will never last as long as rigid aluminum and glass solar panels.

This is why you should always look for panels with the longest lifespan.

How to know this? Choose brands that offer at least a 5-year warranty on materials.

What Are Flexible Solar Panels?

Flexible solar panels are bendable, portable solar modules that you can use outdoors, on cars and RVs, boats, and off-grid cabins.

They are made using printing machines that apply a roll-to-roll method, allowing for the mass production of all shapes, sizes, and wattages.

The manufacturing process of flexible panels is also more affordable than the technology of conventional solar panels.

Types Of Flexible Solar Panels

The two types of solar technology that are mostly used for flexible solar panels are crystalline silicon and thin-film solar panels.

Crystalline Flexible Solar Panels

Thin-film Flexible Solar Panels

On the downside, without the protection of silicon, these panels are far less durable than their crystalline counterparts.

Benefits Of Flexible Solar Panels

Size And Weight

A flexible solar panel is always going to be thinner and lighter than a standard rigid panel of the same size. For example, a 100W flexible panel is going to be about 70% lighter and 95% thinner than a conventional rooftop panel.

This is why you can use them on surfaces that otherwise wouldn't be able to bear the weight of a traditional solar panel.

A 100-watt flexible solar panel is often used on boats, while 200-300-watt products are used on RVs or off-grid shacks.

This feature makes flexible modules great for RVs and THOWs (tiny homes on wheels) because they lay flat against the roof and add virtually no load to the vehicle.

Versatility 

Flexible solar modules have many more uses apart from rooftop installations. For example, with personal RVs, solar panels can reduce engine and generator run-time, while reducing air pollution and getting a fast return-on-investment.

On the other hand, a flat profile of flexible panels allows them to be installed on cars and boats without affecting either aerodynamics or weight.

Reduced Cost

On the financial side, flexible panels will definitely reduce the installation cost of your solar array. Flexible panels, and especially thin-film variants, require minimum labor to install and are much more portable to handle than typical panels that are heavy and bulky.

If you go with flexible panels, you not only save on transport and handling but also eliminate the need for a heavy-duty roof mounting system.

You can find the best flexible solar panels online for a few hundred dollars and free delivery.

Easy Installation

One of the top-selling points for flexible solar panels is the number of installation options they offer. With conventional rooftop panels, you can pretty much bolt them to a surface and that’s it.

Portability

Although you can technically disconnect and dismount a rigid panel for transport, they are hardly considered portable. On the other hand, you can stack flexible solar panels in storage space and take them out when needed.

You can pack several of them and take them straight to a campsite, lay them on the ground, or hang them from your tent roof or a rack.

This way you can fix them to meet the sun’s rays at the optimal angle and even adjust them throughout the day without having to adjust your shelter or re-park your vehicle.

Flexibility

The last but not the least, flexible solar panels are, well, more flexible than conventional ones. While this sounds obvious, keep in mind that flexibility does not only apply to their ability to bend 30 degrees or more but also the flexibility in how to use them.

While traditional panels need a heavy-duty framework and a permanent mounting solution, flexible solars have a variety of mounting solutions, none of which requires technical knowledge or heavy lifting.

They can be placed on the ground, on a curving roof, strapped to a side of a tent, and eventually, easily put away when you’re ready to move.

How Do You Mount A Flexible Solar Panel?

There are several ways you can mount a flexible solar panel, but the two most common ones are by using either a mounting rack or an adhesive.

Using A Rack Mount

Step 1

Make sure to gather all the parts you need for the mounting. This includes the arms, the mount, the screws and other moving parts, and finally the manual.

Step 2

Flip the solar panel to its back and connect the arm bracket to it using screws. Make sure the screws are tight on both sides. Place lock washers to ensure the arm brackets fit properly. Then, the mount goes between the arm brackets and screws using the hex and nuts that came with the kit.

Step 3

When you’ve assembled the mount, place it at the back of the rig on your RV using screws. Once the hex bolts and washers are in place, tighten them using the screwdriver and wrench.

Step 4

Find the right angle. While this sounds easy, keep in mind that you'll be able to squeeze the maximum power out of your solar panel only if you take in the variables such as the placement of the panels on your RV, your location, the sun’s direction throughout the day, etc.

Step 5

Connect the equipment. Now, most manufacturers use MC4 connectors, so anyone can connect the junction box and the battery. Still, there are different ways of doing this, so best stick to your manual’s specifics and follow them to avoid damaging your panel and the equipment.

A 100W flexible panel is going to be about 70% lighter and 95% thinner than a conventional rooftop panel.

Using An Adhesive

Gluing the solar panel directly to the roof of your RV or boat often creates an overheating problem. Also, heating and cooling may cause it to crack as the roof and the panel have different expansion coefficients. This is why this method is the best one I’ve tried.

Step 1

Make a sandwich of thin aluminum sheets and polyethylene, of the same dimensions as the back of your panel.

Step 2

Glue the panel to the aluminum sandwich using a marine grade adhesive.

Step 3

Glue the whole unit to a twin-wall polycarbonate roofing product with about an 8mm air gap and then glue it to the roof of your RV using a polycarbonate-friendly adhesive.

This way the sandwich construction will act as a buffer for the expansion differences, while keeping the solar panel itself cooler, allowing it to work at its peak efficiency.

How Do You Clean Flexible Solar Panels?

The best flexible solar panels with a polymer top coating are pretty much self-cleaning, as the next rain will wash away any dust and debris. However, there are situations when your panels will get soiled by bird droppings or tree sap so you need to clean them yourself. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1

Check for stain deposits on your panel and try to remove them with fresh water. This will remove dust, leaves, and even some bird droppings that reduce the efficiency of your portable solar panel.

Step 2

For more persistent stains and grease, you need to use neutral soap and water. Make sure not to use any aggressive cleaners. Apply the soap and scrub carefully without using the abrasive side. You can also use denatured alcohol to remove grease.

Step 3

Use a gentle brush to remove the buildup from the corners. Avoid using a pressure washer which can damage your panels.

Step 4

If you allow contaminants to build up over time, or see traces of oxidation, you may have to polish the panel. Use either ReJex or Novus brand polish, the latter of which will also remove fine scratches. Always polish the panels by hand, as a power polish may burn the surface with too much friction.

Step 5

When your panel is clean and dry, apply a coat of a plastic protectorate, such as Plexus or Novus Plastic Cleaner.

Keep in mind that dirty flexible solar panels can lose 20% of their power output, and this comes straight from the Solar Energy Power Association.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory sets the figure even higher, at 25%.

FAQ

My Recommended Flexible Solar Panel