Semi flexible solar panels

[christinescoms]

On the back of Qlder1 thread about his proposed lithium system upgrade, I thought I’d open up a new thread on semi flexible solar panels.

The reason I am considering these is purely weight, and because I only have a Bimini over my fly bridge. I’d love a hard top up there, but that means more cost, and more weight, and then that weight is increased if I have a hard top with hard solar panels. The top of my Bimini is about 4.5m above the waterline, so any weight up there needs to be kept to a minimum.

A while back I bought a so called 500w semi flex panel fro eBay. I thought it was too good to be true, but at only $160 thought it worth a go. I was right, too good to be true. There do appear to be some decent quality semi flex panels out there. Renogy have a 175 w at $319; Baintech 110w for $415; Solbian 144w at $1499; Sunman 175w at $379.

So, a huge range in prices. Does anyone have any experience with semi flex panels, and if so can you recommend brands and tell me about the performance.

 

[christinescoms]

On the back of Qlder1 thread about his proposed lithium system upgrade, I thought I’d open up a new thread on semi flexible solar panels.

The reason I am considering these is purely weight, and because I only have a Bimini over my fly bridge. I’d love a hard top up there, but that means more cost, and more weight, and then that weight is increased if I have a hard top with hard solar panels. The top of my Bimini is about 4.5m above the waterline, so any weight up there needs to be kept to a minimum.

A while back I bought a so called 500w semi flex panel fro eBay. I thought it was too good to be true, but at only $160 thought it worth a go. I was right, too good to be true. There do appear to be some decent quality semi flex panels out there. Renogy have a 175 w at $319; Baintech 110w for $415; Solbian 144w at $1499; Sunman 175w at $379.

So, a huge range in prices of flexible solar panels. Does anyone have any experience with semi flex panels, and if so can you recommend brands and tell me about the performance.

thanks in advance for any help

 

[rjenkinsgb]

Have a look at CIGS material - that's available as a roll in different sizes.

eg.

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Bluesun CIGS flexible solar cell thin film semi-flexible solar panels 200w 150w flexible solar module and semi-flexible solar panel are hot sale now! Large discount at Bluesunpv.com.

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[DonaldAbbott]

When it comes to quality, it seems like you've done your homework. Renogy, Baintech, Solbian, and Sunman have quite the range in prices, but I'm guessing performance matters most, right?
If I were in your shoes, I'd lean towards the ones with decent reviews and performance records. Brands like Renogy and Sunman tend to be reliable, but it's always great to hear from folks who've had hands-on experience with these semi-flex panels. Real-world insights can be invaluable.
And speaking of getting the most out of your solar setup, have you thought about pairing those panels with a Home Energy Storage System? It's like saving sunshine for a rainy day!

 

[christinescoms]

When it comes to quality, it seems like you've done your homework. Renogy, Baintech, Solbian, and Sunman have quite the range in prices, but I'm guessing performance matters most, right?
If I were in your shoes, I'd lean towards the ones with decent reviews and performance records. Brands like Renogy and Sunman tend to be reliable, but it's always great to hear from folks who've had hands-on experience with these semi-flex panels. Real-world insights can be invaluable.
And speaking of getting the most out of your solar setup, have you thought about pairing those panels with residential solar panel? It's like saving sunshine for a rainy day!

thank you for your suggestion

 

[aliarifat794]

If budget is a primary concern, Renogy is convenient.

 

[frederictill]

Weight considerations, especially for boat setups like yours, make a lot of sense. I haven't tried them myself, but your experience with the eBay panel is a cautionary tale.
Considering brands like Renogy, Baintech, Solbian, and Sunman seems wise. Price variations can indicate differences in quality and performance. While Solbian might be on the pricier side, it could be worth it if the performance matches the investment.
I recently chose SolarSmart for solar panels Ireland, and they’ve been fantastic. With their expertise, navigating through the options of going solar was a breeze. Good luck with your decision!