Flexible Solar Panel Output Test: Sunpower Cells After A Year vs. Traditional Mono Flex Panel
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
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Winner to the output test: richsolar.com/collections/flexible-solar-panels/products/rich-solar-100-watt-12-volt-flexible-monocrystalline-solar-panel-new-arrival?ref=n3kqiuy2kml
Rich Solar sunpower cell mono panel: amzn.to/2WyDJeg
ML Solar sunpower cell mono panel: www.mlsolar.com/100-watt-12-volt-flexible-mono-solar-panel/
Solar Panels that I actually recommend: www.mobile-solarpower.com/solar-panels.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Does off-grid solar confuse you? Check out my DIY friendly website for solar system packages and product recommendations, and so much more! www.mobile-solarpower.com
Join our DIY solar community! #1 largest solar forum on the internet for beginners and professionals alike: www.diysolarforum.com
Check out my best-selling, beginner-friendly 12V off-grid solar book (affiliate link):
amzn.to/2Aj4dX4
If DIY is not for you, but you love solar and need an offgrid system, check out Tesla Solar. Low prices and great warranty, and they can take your entire house offgrid with their new Powerwalls: ts.la/william57509
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My solar equipment recommendations (Constantly updated! Check here first):
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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watts247.com/?wpam_id=3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Contact Information:
I am NOT available for personal solar system consult! If you wish to contact me, this is my direct email: williamprowsediysolar@gmail.com
Join the forum at diysolarforum.com/ if you wish to hang out with myself and others and talk about solar
FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers:
Every video includes some form of paid promotion or sponsorship. Some links on this youtube channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill. Be smart and use common sense :)
DIY Solar Power with Will Prowse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program,
An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
hi will, i hope you liked my postcard, id love it if you sent one back. i sent to the san francisco address for your po box that you listed. my apt has a solar powered water heater, and interestingly it seems to provide enough hot water for only one person. it is meant for 2 people, but it doesnt really work well on cloudy days if you have 2 people it would run out.
the solar lights in our apt complex also have had half of them burn out. the bulbs just die, or the panels might get damaged, like in hurricane wutu, etc
Thanx Will, your hair looks great.
about time for an update. I'm hoping for good results. I'd like to use flexible for lower profile/stealth on my van
I installed three sunpower panels on our boat, in the sun full time in Feb 2019, so far they still look new. I will keep you posted .
Marks Marine Electric, San Diego
Are they made with PET film or ETFE film?
id be interested on your info... are they still functioning well and ETFE film?
We were on the boat a week ago for three days, from what I see they still produce what is expected. The weather for that weekend was cool and some clouds present. Still batteries reach up 90+% each day with a daily draw around 40 amp hrs per day, in the morning the battery bank (500 amp hr) would be at low 60%
how are they holding up after two years? thanks in advance
@@Maybelove88 we were on the boat over the weekend, but the weather was not that good, but so far they are still holding up as expected.
On my Prius, I save $30 a month in gasoline from not using the car as a generator with 200W of flexible panels taped to the roof. That’s a quick payback !
I could not figure out a good way to mount a glass panel without loss of aerodynamics therefor loss of MPG on a Prius. Thanks for the great review!
You are 100% correct, I had flexible one's on my camper and in combination with the flexibility of the vehicle and the weather changes the work for just about 6 months, from 250w they drop to 4w in a good day ( all 5 of them).
Ouch. That's terrible. What brand was was that?
Hi Will, this is great thanks! Will you please consider giving updates every 6-12 months to track their decreasing output? Thanks!
Appreciate your honesty and wisdom young man, be blessed.
Thank you for the information my friend I love you videos I'm a banquet of myself City dweller I don't do that in the country and this is good to know....😃😃😄
Yip please can you do an update - we appreciate your videos and your candid reviews.
TFS and all of your work you put into your testing and reviews
Hi! So, four years later: has anything changed? Airstream has been changing over to Merlin Solar, using their flexible panels on their new Trade Wind and on the Basecamps. I’d be interested in hearing your perspective on them.
You look just like a kid at Christmas opening his presents you are so happy :) 😁🤩😎 keep up the great work will :)😍 great review and vid will😁
Looking for the update on the Rich panel.
This is a great video. I especially like the hot vs cold test since many people think they have a bad panel when it just gets hot in the sun. In my initial research, it sounds like the ETFE coated panels are far superior to the PET coated panels (older style). Further, if the claims are accurate, ETFE resists heat absorption much better than PET leading to a much smaller reduction in efficiency because the panel doesn't heat up as much. Would love to see a more in depth comparison of PET and ETFE panels and long-term follow up. My understanding is that PET panels have a 5 year life expectancy while manufacturers are claiming 10 years for ETFE.
Additionally, resing the flexible panels on the pallets may lead to increased temps (and effeciency loss) because air cannot pass underneath as well. A traditional hard panel with a rigid frame with spacing behind the panel would allow better heat disipation and cooling underneath while resting on the pallets while a flexible panel will not get as much cooling effect. Per the comment above about ETFE resisting heat absorption, this may be why the new ETFE panel had such a high output even once it started getting warm. The temp on the surface may be high but the solar cells may not have been as hot. It may also be a good idea to check what the temp on the back of the panel is. That may be a more accurate indication of how hot the cells get.
Nice work as always!
Hello, I enjoyed seeing you in another Dave 2D video. For the record I enjoyed your Vlog videos. I understand they might not make money, but they were fun. We are totally different people, and live completely different lives. However, I still enjoyed them. It was fun watching the mix of informational and everyday life videos. Whatever you do, keep it up, great content. Have a good one.
great stuff, thanks for the heads up. Maybe you could get together with Nomadic Fanatic, RVPrepper Wayne, and some other RVers and do reviews of their systems. Would make interesting viewing.
Yes please
That would be EPIC
William, You are like fine wine.
Getting better and better with age
Xoxo
Geyyy
As always, a solid review by a solar expert you can trust. Searching for viewer comments at many other places on RUclips it appears that it is rare for flexible solar panels to last more than a couple of years - three at best. They just don't appear to be a wise, long-term investment in solar power production.
Sunpower cells are good if you want a burn mark in your roof. The moment you get a crack (and you will after year of it baking in the sun becoming brittle), increased resistance and then hotspot and off you go! Good video by the way.
You have to buy the good expensive flexible solar panels like the ones on Pacific Yacht Systems website. They last a very very long time. They also have a couple long videos that talk about them. He is very knowledgeable
Brand name seems to be EVERYTHING when it comes to flexible panels
We need an updated version of this video with new panels that have recently come out. Please include that new Bougie RV 200 watt panel that has come out about a year ago. Thanks
Have you ever done a test between using house wiring (like a 12-2 cable) and regular solar wires to feed from solar panels to the charge controller? I've been told that the stranded solar wires perform better than the solid house wires. Maybe? Maybe not?
"spewing out a bunch of crap on RUclips" Love it Will!
Really like your reviews, there's never a question of your honest reviews. And your knowledge is quite high. Thanks.
Hi, do you have a tutorial of how to open the junction box of a flexible solar panel in order to change a diode? Thanks
Yes! Nice to have a update with new products etc.
i got in March 2022 - 4 of my flexible Panels (its a firm called solartronics from germany) for my Flat (i have no Balcony, and i hang them out the window with safety straps like you would secure load on a trailer, you know) - so iam recording the data, i have east-west orientation (due to the roof i dont get a lot of sun at high noon) - so i added 20w polys on the windowsill as well (4 of them on each window, so 8 total) - so i get the most of the sun as possible for my situation - and i have not covered all spaces. so there is room for another 2 20W Panels on each window wich i would test next year. but in summertime i get a lot of energy through it, i can run my fridge/pc if i want. and thanks to your diy lifepo4 videos, i will change my batteries from agm to lifepo next year...so thanks a lot! i record data every day, whats going in with what panels. and i can look up next year, if my flexible panels will degrade, i will see it...
I really appreciate your honesty.
Have you reviewed the Merlin Flexible solar panel?
3:47 WOW that's amazing ⚡⚡⚡
I would be interested in a test of flexible panels that have been coated with Turtle Wax Ceramic coating. It tests well as a cheap automotive protectant, but I'd be curious if it would reduce efficiency. My first instinct would be that the inherent UV protection would hinder the efficiency, but on further thought, solar cells convert "visible light" to electricity so the UV protection might not have any measurable impact on production; but may extend the life of those flexible panels considerably.
I’m learning a lot from your videos. By the time I’m ready to make a purchase I will have your good information to fall back on. I thank you very much.
My two Suaoki 100W flexible panels failed after 8 months. Junk. Now I have to figure out how to remove them, since I stuck them down with eternabond. Thanks for the review.
Damn I know that feeling. Good luck with removing that eternabond. Sounds like a nightmare
Eternabond is forever!
@@stevevelobahn1814 Yeah, it's usually easier to just rip the roof off and install a new one
@@InnovativeSustainableSolutions lol! It's a "convertible" rv. Got a sun/moon roof!
Do you think. UV protection vinyl overlay would help make the flex solar panels last longer?
Does that richsolar (the 1 w/highest wattage) still work? Thanks! Love your channel!
Great review on different flexible panels. Have you done an update to test quality and charge %?
Hey Will, I love your videos. Informative and trustworthy. Any chance of an update on these flexible panels? How are they holding up now after almost three years?
Any update on the Rich Solar with the traditional cells? I bought the 80 watt ones and get 80 watts also. They seem really well-made.
Im like a kid who you tell not to touch the hot stove! I bought 2 100w renogy flexibles. My thought process is to take a portable lithium between places and have four 100w poly mounted on the roof, at each home. 2 flexibles are for travelling with the portable between places. My setup is just incase power goes out on purpose or accident, and it will after the Paradise fire last year. So im hoping they wont break or break as fast since they wont be used that much, or constantly.
I think you'll be all right. I have the exact same setup, and I ABUSE mine, all day in the sun every day, and they're still going strong. I'm going to do a longevity test vid at 1 year
Can you review the new ETFE Black Rubber Flexible Solar Panel
Thanks for the video Will. I was thinking of buying some of those panels for my Renault Trafic Van. I will forget about it.
I’m using Merlin Solar flex panel. I like it very much.
I bought a couple flex cells to mount to the top of my canopy on my pickup mainly for the low profile, so they will be mounted I hope it lasts. Thanks! June 2021 maybe better technology
I purchased the sunpower flexible...a month later the connector went bad. I had to remove it and luckily it was still functioning. But yeah I'd be weary of purchasing another flexible.
I love how light it is...but still...it just feels like it isn't as rugged as most people will need for outdoor applications
Great video buddy! I just can’t think of a particular application for a flexible panel.
Sailboats often have flexible panels that you can walk on mounted on the cabin roof, which is usually slightly curved.
Teardrop trailers. My teardrop doesn’t have a large enough flat spot for a traditional panel nor could it support the weight. There are times when I can’t set out a suitcase.
Any updates here??? Thank you!
Great job Will, you have a great job by the way!!!
Good looking guy. Watch your viewer numbers skyrocket if you take your shirt off!
Howdy will! I was wondering if the technology has changed at all in the last two or three years? I am in need of at least 300 to 400 watts between 2 flexible panels to fit over the curved Bimini that covers the cockpit of my sailboat. Are there any that you would recommend? Or am I better off trying to build an entirely new structure capable of holding rigid panels?
Hi and many thanks for posting this vid, this would be one of the best panel output test so far - I have just purchased a Bluetti AC180 mainly for emergencies and for some basic camping use so while the power is it shall be charged through grid power. Now that I am wanting to purchase a solar panel I would be interested to know what type and size of panel you think would be best to use choosing from - blanket - folding - framed and it it worth getting a few 100W panels instead of one large 300W. Cheers Glenn v from NZ
You are a fascinating fella, love you always informative videos.
499k subs... I'm jumping on to share the 500k glory
My Kingsolar (Sunpower) 100W panels failed after 1 year. The factory had glued them down across the entire panels with permanent adhesive. Had to cut into strips whilst on the roof to tear strips off.
Great information as always
Amazing videos man! I wish I understood panels and actually execute the idea I have with solar panels.
I've had a Renogy flexible panel for the last 3 years on my van and it's producing the exact same output as day 1...
weird.
How about some testing with the split cell technology panels, opinions?
How did the traditional mono panel from Rich do after a year of use?
Gallium arsenide and graphene are much more efficient, can use more infrared which is always available. These material camera sensors are also more sensitive.
real key to the quality most still only have 1 or 2 yr warrantee although the name brand he mentions gives 5 yr on power but very expensive as cheep to buy 2 store in box till falure of first. wierd since there's a lot of uv plastics to use in manufacture
Are the thick non-flexible ones more reliable after a few years?
Very transparent review.kudos!
Great video! Too bad I already purchased two flexibles. I'll use them till they fail, they've been great till now.
I was wondering about flex panels. Looks like the technology is just not there yet. Maybe in the future.
Enjoying your videos more and more !!
Would like to see the update you mentioned.
are portable/folding solar panels effectively the same as flexible panels, meaning lower life span and easily heats up etc.
Hey Will! Could we can an update on the flexible solar panels. I am looking to build a mobile setup with a flexible panel.
Hey, first of all I just found your channel and it really is informative and well thought out. I just subscribed. I have a camping trailer that I tow behind my Jeep. My trailer came with a 100 watt panel on the roof and also an external plug on the side of the trailer. I know there will be times that I will want to park my trailer in the shade so I would like to get one of those flexible suitcase type panels. I have to keep the weight down and I don't want a big bulky aluminum framed panel due to size restrictions. I don't see any reviews of these types of systems on your channel, can you do one?
Locked down in Bangkok I took the opportunity of having time to order one 100W flex panel for just USD 30 plus a multimeter for just usd 5. Probably both a poc. But hopefully it keeps me busy running some tests. One big difference I can tell is that my panel has only half the cells yet claims to produce 100W as well. We'll see.
Will - I really like and trust your analysis and would normally not consider flexible solar panels. However, I have a Rockwood 2604ws travel trailer which is aluminum framed with a foam core and just a very thin layer of wood under the rubber so there is very little to screw a hard panel to (my preference would be 1000+ watts of rigid panels with a tilt kit, connected to a Tesla battery). The people at Rockwood have advised against "screwing" anything into the roof. Given this information, would you agree that flexible solar might be my only option? Do they have a 250+ watt panel that you might recommend?
How did that Rich Solar ETFE panel hold up after a year or two?
sol'utations.. since the plastic coat/cover is weathering.. framed behind uv resistant glass panel? would decrease solar degradation?
Yea but it'll get even hotter... Think like a green house
Will would lithium solar batteries charge faster than if you had lead acid ? Also what if your solar panels were never in full sun or mostly in the shade would they be worth using. Lets say a quarter output of what they are rated to do isn't that something that still can be used ?
So you say that panels lose performance more than rigid and that you are going to continue to test. So are you going to mount these flex panels outdoors over the next year so you can simulate actual use ? I have a 100w rigid that has worked fine over past 6 years; however i have discovered that my camping consumption is greater than 100w will produce so i am trying to decide what to buy and how much so love the videos. My camper has curved roof and i am also trying to decide on 200/300/400 and rigid vs flex and also fixed to roof vs portable to follow sun at campground. Your videos are informative and "fun". I live in "sunny" California but have camped in all 50 plus Canada and NW Terratories
Hi Will! I love your videos - you've helped me learn a lot!! Could you help me with something - What equipment do you use to test the panels?
Great advice video
It appears your judgements is based on older technology. What do you think today? Do you take in consideration how the panel is mounted? I use flexible on a stiff frame for weight considerations. It seems like there are pros to some of these but with your bias against flexible panels you can't bring yourself to recommend one even though there might be one you favor. Too bad.
To bad about thin solar panels, they have to weigh so much less. Only ones practical to use on an electric covered bicycle
Have tested the 100w thunderbolt panels from harbor freight?
I have a curved bimini on my sailboat. I don't think I can mount a rigid solar panel on it. With 100 watt flexible panels as cheap as they are, maybe this could be a maintenance item to replace them every 1 1/2 years.😢
Yes, the dame for me, time for an update!
Theo say New alu Technic last longer
Great test - im watching in 2022 and wondering if you have done any Black Shingle flex Panels out now - one in Australia is by VoltX and are 169w for $169 in Australia - thanks
have you done any experiments lately on flexible panels?
Did you test any of these new non silicon based 360 degrees bendable solar panels from Japan with a 100 Watt and 200 Watt rating. They don seem to degarde and cost several hundred dollars.
Thanks for another excellent video. I have considered the flexible panels for my class B with a curved fiberglass roof.
Can I parallel a new Renogy 100 amp hour lithium battery with my DYI 100 amp hour battery from used prismatic cells, so actually rated 90 amp hours?
dont sell out. you're too smart for that. great video!
Did you see my recommendation at the end? I will never sell out
Will Prowse right on brah. u da man!!
What is the best way to clean and maintain the solar panels? Will cleaners ruin them?
i bought a dokio "300" watt folding panel, when it was new the best performance i saw was 225 watts with the best sun and angle.
dokio said do not leave it outside day after day, which prompted me to challenge this. i let it lay out in the sun for maybe five months. this past week/weekend i have been testing it and even took it camping and found that it now puts out about 150 watts in the best sun with the best angles
leaving it in the sun did weaken the material that holds the four panels in position. $330 for 225 watts didnt feel great when it is sold as 300 watts, but now that its down to 150 watts not even a year later, i dont know what to think.
i may buy another, but only use it for camping and emergencies, but it will never pay for its self like a regular glass panel could, but i dont have room for glass panels on camping trips
I am glad that I read your comment. I was considering getting the Dokio 4 * 100W flex panels for just 330 bucks. Seemed like a good deal. But I think they probably have the same consistency as the folding panel you got and I would probably not be happy with it over the long run.
You've popularized Richsolar on Amazon so much that the glass poly panels are out of stock in 1 and 2 pcs quantities. They're pushing 4 panels at the moment. Wish I had the space. 3/30/2019
Dont mount them. Keep them portable and put them out in the sun manually.
Yeah I can't believe that! I need one more too lol
I love your honesty on your vids & that's the reason why am a die hard fan of you. Still waiting for updates on those panels. What's your take on LG neon r latest 2020 model solar panels? I'm hunting for a very good solar panels with a vendor in Nigeria West Africa. Please I need recommendation. The blackout here is horrible.
Thank You Will Prowse and Keep up the Good Work! :)
Thumbs up Indiana USA.
Have you tried PowerFilm flexible panels? They are expensive but pro-port to not succumb to this degradation problem.
Oh man I wish I knew this before buying the flexible panels I got. They were cheap. Oh well, use E'm & turf E'm
It seems like you really need to be doing side by side simultaneous measurements because the solar energy could vary with clouds
does ETFE overcome flexible panel negatives?
What about the new CIGS?
Hi Will. saw you on Dave 2D.
Have you tested thin film panels? I have noticed that they are more difficult to come by and generally more expensive. They are also larger for the same power output. However in my opinion the majority of people should be using them.
They can work at 90% of their spec in low light or indirect sunlight.
So unless you are tracking the sun for daylight hrs and seasons you are probably better off with thin film if you have the space. Especially if you live in a more overcast region or if you can not angle your panels perfectly into the sun and even that only lasts a few hrs unless you can track the sun.
I would say that even people who live in very sunny areas could still benefit from thin film unless they are able to track the sun.
Thinking there is some sort of trade conspiracy or regulation going on, it just doesn't seem right that most people are using the wrong panels for the job!
Which brand would you suggest to permanently install on the roof a class b RV? Thanks for all the videos!!
will these work if you place a 5 mil clear plastic on them - to cover and protect them? I will try that tomorrow on my solar deck mini lights --will place a completely drained battery in it to see if it charges or not. hmmm.. maybe I just invented something - i am always afraid of that - so share too much and make someone else richer.