Flexible duarable solar panel (You can walk on them)..

[freds]

Hi Everyone

I just saw a recent YouTube video of a new type of flexible solar panels that might be of interest to everyone who has yet to install solar or want's to squeeze in more..



Here's the video of the torture test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjTsq9M-66A&t=1105s

Pro's

1. Peel and stick, no special mounting needed or roof penetration's.
2. You don't have to avoid walking on them, once they are in place.
3. Extremely shade tolerant
4. Damage tolerant (he shoots bullet holes through them in the video).
5. Could be mounted on vertical spaces.
6. You could purposely cut small holes for vents, etc. Without destroying the panel, though it will output less power.
7. Lower shipping costs? Doesn't have to be shipped on an extra large pallet by truck.

Con's

1. Cost per watt hour (about $2.00 per watt verses $0.50 for high power commercial panels)
2. Power production per square meter of roof space.

Amazon link to purchase (read reviews), though the video suggests direct purchase for a longer warranty:

https://www.amazon.com/BougeRV-Thin-Film-Flexible-Pre-Punched-Installation/dp/B0BJJV9PS4?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

Hopefully some food for thought...

Enjoy...

[epretot]

I think I saw this on a sail boat

[Jim Blackwood]

A definite step in the right direction. Depending on the competition it might be possible for us to see affordable flexible panels in the near future. (I don't consider $3/watt affordable) They will get better and they will get cheaper. On that we may depend.

Jim

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

A common problem with flexible solar panels from what I have heard is that when you glue them to a bus roof, they tend to get very hot and detoriate rapidly.  Regular solar panels are generally mounted with an air gap between the roof and the panels which gives some ventilation and also shades the bus on a hot summer day thereby cooling the bus down more, so less solar is required. 

They say you can walk on the flexible solar panels, but if you walk on them with shoes on and you have a small rock or something stuck in your soles, I don't think it would do your panels much good.  If you walk on them with socks on, you could end up sliding off your roof.  Maybe wipe your feet and walk on them barefoot?

Also, if you decide to replace your flexible solar panels out later on, depending on how they are glued on or attached, it could be a real hassle.

These are some things I would consider as I have heard some places have stopped carrying them for these reasons.

You should be concerned when their warranty is less than half that of rigid panels. Just sayin'.

Simon says: Maybe you should Google "problems with flexible solar panels" before moving forward.

[epretot]

The flexible panels would be ideal for placing on the bus awning.

Also ideal for a ground deploy. They store differently than a rigid panel.

Not every panel has to go on the roof.

[Dave5Cs]

I have 6 house used panels 2' x 4' fro  SanTan solar and walk on them all the time with no problems and I am 250lbs when having to clean them or lube up ac etc.

[Tedsoldbus]

Interesting new toy my 1980 Prevost blood brother.
I have seen guys get a panel out of their bay and point it at the sun at campgrounds. I don't want panels on my roof and have limited storage with only one pass thru belly bay. Maybe something a guy could roll up and put it out when dry camping for a number of days to reduce genny running? You thinking about it Fred or did you put hard panels on your roof already??
I'll watch the video. Thanks for sharing.

[freds]

Interesting new toy my 1980 Prevost blood brother.
I have seen guys get a panel out of their bay and point it at the sun at campgrounds. I don't want panels on my roof and have limited storage with only one pass thru belly bay. Maybe something a guy could roll up and put it out when dry camping for a number of days to reduce genny running? You thinking about it Fred or did you put hard panels on your roof already??
I'll watch the video. Thanks for sharing.

I already have hard panels on the roof of my bus and thinking of adding more to the car hauler. If you go through my build thread you will see how I did it.

The flexible panels would be peel and stick plus you can walk on them when ever you happen to be on the roof of the bus.

Though I could mount them on the side of the bus.

[bronson]

Have no idea on specs of panels but we built solar suitcases with folding solar panels at Harbor Freight Tools for Schools seminar. Very cool project. They were sent to teachers in Ukraine to power laptops.