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01-07-2014, 08:26 AM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Valencia
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
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Flexible panels?
Hi!
I'm looking at different solar options and would love to get these flexible sticker panels. Has anyone used something like them?
RV Solar Panel - PowerFilm Solar
FTL GLOBAL
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01-07-2014, 09:07 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2007 25' International CCD FB
Northridge
, California
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 516
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Hoping someone replies to this..I would like to know more about this also.
LilNomad
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01-07-2014, 09:22 AM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member
2013 25' Flying Cloud
Rosemere
, Quebec
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 58
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I don't know them, it seem expansive/w and 3 times the size in square feet.
__________________
Christian
2013 FC 25 B
F-150 ECO BOOST
WBCCI 20130
TAC QC-2
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01-07-2014, 09:47 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 20
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Kooskia
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,591
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Way overpriced for the power produced, in addition to being very large (again for the power produced). The two 100 watt panels I put on my FC 20 were $160 each and the high quality MPPT charge controller was about $200, for a total cost less than the little 42 watt unit shown in the original post.
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01-07-2014, 10:16 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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I have a vague recollection of flexible solar panels being installed similar to these by folks some time back. I think those were from a different company since gone bankrupt. Search the forums. As I recall, folks with those panels seemed happy with the low wattage and high space need requirement for the trade off of ease of installation. There was some debate about inability to later peel off.
The panels for sale in your web link do seem to be quite expensive for what you get. In my opinion 200 watts is the minimum to make adding solar a worthwhile project.
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01-07-2014, 11:10 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1964 26' Overlander
Richmond
, Virginia
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 790
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a lot of this stuff is pricey, but you can try to buy direct from China and skip the middle man. alibaba.com is a middleman site to allow you to skip multiple middle men. You can sometimes buy in smaller quantities. If you search for peel and stick solar panel, you'll get some results. Keep in mind, you'll get almost no customer service, and you'll have to wait months to see it, but by far the cheapest option. I've thought about it myself to get enough to cover the top, I just don't camp enough to justify it.
Rob.
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01-07-2014, 11:34 AM
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#7
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Valencia
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
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Thanks everyone! Maybe I'll find a better deal. I just like the idea of having them so flush with the structure. If you come across the older posts please share! I'd love to read what people thought of them first hand
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01-07-2014, 01:16 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GabbyLA
Thanks everyone! Maybe I'll find a better deal. I just like the idea of having them so flush with the structure. If you come across the older posts please share! I'd love to read what people thought of them first hand
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Hey... and if you lay them over a rivet line, it's a way of stopping leaks!
(Satan made me say it). Paula
__________________
Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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01-07-2014, 01:39 PM
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#9
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GabbyLA
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Flexible panels use a different technology than the rigid panels. Rigid panels generate about twice the watts per square foot compared to flexible panels. However, flexible panels perform better in low-light conditions, so they're more beneficial at high lattitudes where you don't get as much direct sun.
In both cases, you can expect that you'll get about 60% of the solar panel's rated wattage as usable energy over the course of a day; the rest will be lost as heat, power for the charge controller, etc. For a 50-watt panel, you'll average 30 watt-hours per hour of daylight.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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01-07-2014, 03:47 PM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
2007 27' Classic FB
Fredericksburg
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 300
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I installed an 80 watt flexible solar panel about 2 1/2 years ago. I have been happy with it. It does charge even in low light. You can walk on it without damaging it. I believe the brand was called Solar Flex. It was fairly easy to install.
__________________
The Tex-i-can is Ready to Camp
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01-07-2014, 04:29 PM
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#11
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1 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Valencia
, California
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7
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Cool thanks! Yea, I was thinking about the leak protection...
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01-07-2014, 05:47 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Due to several requests I have had on this specific topic, I'll throw my hat into the ring….so to speak….on the relative merits (or not) of flex panels.
From what has been mentioned above, they do not approach the efficiency of the rigid mono-crystalline units currently available (over 18%). There are also several operating characteristics that no one has yet mentioned, but I will.
• HEAT…is the enemy of efficiency in any solar panel. This is the reason that properly installed solar panels have sufficient open space below them and the mounting substrate (roof in the case of Airstreams) to allow for air circulation and cooling.
Flex panels, mounted flat to the roof (curved roof for Airstreams) and generally bonded to the roof, do not provide any relief for internal heating and will exhibit dramatic efficiency losses due to overheating.
•*SUN ANGLE…. rigid panels, when combined with properly designed mounting feet that allow the panels to tilt (AM Solar's Rocker Mounting Feet and tilt bars) can capture much more solar energy than flat mounted panels. I recently demonstrated this to a client while showing them the benefits of panel tilting.
In full sun and using a special solar meter, I showed the client the watts/square meter available when the meter's surface was parallel to the ground. the measurement was 510 W/sq.M When the meter surface was tilted perpendicular to the sun, the meter showed 1026 W/sq.M……….over double!! This translated into a very large increase in charging amperage from the solar controller to the batteries.
Flex panels can not be tilted.
• DEFORMATION….. I have observed several different flex panel installations that were actually cupped (individual cells) from excessive heat. This created concave surfaces on the face of the panel that would catch moisture in the early AM. When the dew evaporated, it would leave dirt on the panel surface. Rigid panels do not collect as much dirt and debris and are easier to clean. A clean panel surface is a happy panel!
••• CONCLUSION….. Will flex panels work…..sure. Will they work well, or as well as rigid panels…..NO! The system you choose should be designed for maximum efficiency and minimum loss, both in PV solar capacity and voltage drop. Flex panels just are not in the same ballpark (yet) as rigid PV panels.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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01-07-2014, 07:00 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
1954 22' Flying Cloud
Saline
, Michigan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 854
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Lew thanks for your explanation. Now I have to ask how do you adjust the angle of the panel while it's atop the airstream? From inside the trailer or is there some niffy rod or crank used from the ground? Thanks again,
Barry
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01-07-2014, 07:07 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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I have two factory panels on our trailer. They are good for keeping power for a while. However they won't keep up with my energy consumption. If I wanted a serious camping solar system, it would not be on the trailer roof. It would be a bunch of panels that set up quickly on a collapsible rack. The rack would include the ability to easily rotate horizontally and adjust the vertical angle of the panels. In my opinion having the panels on the roof is convenient for short period needs. However, it is really nice to park in as much shade as possible for other obvious reasons, so an array that you can place away from the trailer in the sun is going to be more efficient.
The negatives of the flexible panels are well covered above. As with many other things, it is best to stick with the tried and true and let others do the beta testing.
Ken
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01-07-2014, 07:39 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,508
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goshawks00
Lew thanks for your explanation. Now I have to ask how do you adjust the angle of the panel while it's atop the airstream? From inside the trailer or is there some niffy rod or crank used from the ground? Thanks again,
Barry
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Rocker mounting feet allow the panels to tilt in either direction by using AM Solar's tilt bars. This involves loosening one side of the panel and adding the tilt bar to each end. You will need a ladder to access the panels, but not a very tall one as Airstreams are one of the lowest profile RVs available.
__________________
lewster
Solar Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
Victron Solar Components and Inverters, Zamp Solar Panels, LiFeBlue and Battle Born Lithium Batteries, Lifeline AGM Batteries
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01-17-2014, 01:29 PM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
1977 31' Excella 500
Zavalla
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 497
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I bought a collapsing aluminum ladder to access my roof to tilt panels and whatever up there. Not cheap, but perfect for an airstream. Not terribly light either but I guess it's as light as possible since it is aluminum.
__________________
WBCCI #1711
Texas Gulf Coast Unit, Texas Airstream Harbor
Angelina National Forest, Zavalla, TX
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