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Old 10-27-2016, 12:40 PM   #201
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Thanks Lewster. Did you ever try the new Grape Solar flex panels? I recall on a previous post that you were going to test them.
I guess I am just stubborn as I believe that the flex panels will work with the correct technology.
For my use, mounting on the cap of my truck, the flex panels make the most sense. We ,up here in the Pacific Northwest where we do the majority of our camping, don't normally have the luxury as you folks who park your units in the direct sun in the desert do.
With my system, I can park the trailer in the shade and then move my tow vehicle to best position it for sun.
With the 3 panels from Renogy it worked perfectly until of course it didn't when 2 quit.
The 3rd panel by the way was still operating perfectly after 18 months but Renogy, realizing that one panel wasn't going to cut it, suggested and paid for the return of all 3.
I am going to wait till they tell me that the flex isn't going to happen before I move to their solid panel.
Until then, my system is all set up for portables and a generator.


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Old 10-28-2016, 02:48 PM   #202
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George,

I powered up one and it read 19.8 VDC in direct sun but they STILL loose quite a bit of output once you get past 10 deg. off perpendicular.

Once I angled it past the 10-2 window, the output voltage started dropping like a rock....... until it hit 14.0VDC, which is below the bulk charge level.

I'm staying with rigid!!!!! Far more sensitivity at off-peak angles and no fading! 👌


Lew Farber
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Old 10-28-2016, 03:58 PM   #203
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Lew did you point the flex panels to the sun or leave them flat?
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Old 10-28-2016, 04:24 PM   #204
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Used a Daystar Meter that shows the watts/sq meter as you move the integrated solar cell from the optimum azimuth to the sun.

The meter was placed on the panel surface for orientation for the best sun angle and maximum solar input.

I did not have time to wait for the sun to drop to the horizon, so it simulated it by moving the panel angle away from the sun like it was going thru the day.

I still have the 5 new panels and might do a flat test to simulate a roof mount if I have some time the next sunny day.


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Old 10-28-2016, 07:05 PM   #205
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lewster View Post
George,

I powered up one and it read 19.8 VDC in direct sun but they STILL loose quite a bit of output once you get past 10 deg. off perpendicular.

Once I angled it past the 10-2 window, the output voltage started dropping like a rock....... until it hit 14.0VDC, which is below the bulk charge level.

I'm staying with rigid!!!!! Far more sensitivity at off-peak angles and no fading! 👌


Lew Farber
Thanks Lew.
Appreciate the report and everyone else's input on this subject.
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Old 10-28-2016, 07:07 PM   #206
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I still have the 5 new panels and might do a flat test to simulate a roof mount if I have some time the next sunny day.


Lew Farber[/QUOTE]

Would it not work better to mount them on a curved surface as that is the point of the flex panels?
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Old 10-28-2016, 08:33 PM   #207
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I still have the 5 new panels and might do a flat test to simulate a roof mount if I have some time the next sunny day.


Lew Farber
Would it not work better to mount them on a curved surface as that is the point of the flex panels?[/QUOTE]

Exactly! The test I did was by pointing the panel directly at the sun, which is a position that these panels will never see as they have no ability o be tilted to better match the sun's azimuth like solid panels can. A slight curve will perfectly simulate the Airstream roof.

BTW, these latest edition of the flex panels are more rigid than their predecessors having only a 15º flex ability as opposed to the old panel's 30º flex. The engineer at Grape Solar informed me of this change in their composition when they were shipped. I was told that it is directly related to the new top layer material.
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Old 05-25-2017, 05:51 PM   #208
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HQST 100w flexible panel experience BAD

Just wanted to add my 2 cents. Purchased 2 HQST 100W panels in Jan 2016 and installed on a 2014 27FB. These were working fine until sometime around February 2017 when one quit entirely and the other was putting out 3.5V. Came back in late March to 2 dead batteries. Talked to HQST and they basically said too bad. One Year warranty period. I removed from roof of RV and tested numerous ways and found the one panel is just dead. The other has some type of short. I've found the laying flat I get zero volts, with a slight bend 10-15 degrees lengthwise I can get 18-20V, but only if I don't move any direction, if any movement, meter goes back to zero. So, I'm going back to fixed panels, that I have used without problems for years and with 20 year performance warranty. There should be a class action lawsuit against these being recommended for RV usage. IMO, just junk. What good is a flexible panel, that breaks when flexed at a very slight angle. I can only assume they can't handle the heat and connections melted.
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Old 05-27-2017, 10:21 AM   #209
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Yeah, Renogy took mine back too with a full refund. It appears that that most flexibles are not good.
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Old 07-25-2017, 09:54 AM   #210
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Regretfully, I had one of my three 135W flex panels go out. Noticed output was low. Around 12-14 amps at 22-25v. I was getting well over 21-22v initially. Disconnected one panel and zero output change. At least I found the offender easily. The good news is the other 2 panels do a good job charging by noon with normal use.
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Old 07-25-2017, 11:06 PM   #211
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Flexible solar panels have been problematic even when professionally installed.
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Old 09-24-2017, 07:58 PM   #212
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Anybody have any knowledge or experience with Greesonic aluminum backed 100w flexible panels.
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Old 11-28-2017, 10:27 PM   #213
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I see that Renogy has brought back the flexible panels!
This time with sun power cells.
Anyone with more knowledge of these panels and cells please chime in.
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Old 11-29-2017, 03:02 PM   #214
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Ok, doing a bit more reading on this but I still want to hear from the experts. Anyone with any experience with SunPower Maxeon Gen II cells.
Is this just a fancy name for the same cells everyone uses?



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Old 11-29-2017, 03:54 PM   #215
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We are using six Solbian SP-125 panels - 750W total. See:
https://www.bruceschwab.com/solar-po...ian-flex-high/
https://www.solbian.eu/en/5-sp-series
Believe Solbian has a new model, the SP-130, that replaces the SP-125.

Attached them to roof using 3M 4950 VHB Tape 22" x 5yds rolls and with Sikaflex along all 4 edges. We could have ordered them with an adhesive backing, but we didn't know details of the backing.

They are well made. We are happy with them and the look on the roof.

Contact Bruce Schwab for details.

73/gus
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Old 11-29-2017, 04:20 PM   #216
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Link to new Renogy panel

https://www.renogy.com/sunpower-flex...e-solar-panel/
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Old 11-29-2017, 04:37 PM   #217
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Thanks. Saw all the advertising, just wondering if anyone had experience with the SunPower cells they are talking about. I have asked Renogy for more particulars but as yet. No answers.



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Old 11-29-2017, 04:40 PM   #218
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We are using six Solbian SP-125 panels - 750W total. See:
https://www.bruceschwab.com/solar-po...ian-flex-high/
https://www.solbian.eu/en/5-sp-series
Believe Solbian has a new model, the SP-130, that replaces the SP-125.

Attached them to roof using 3M 4950 VHB Tape 22" x 5yds rolls and with Sikaflex along all 4 edges. We could have ordered them with an adhesive backing, but we didn't know details of the backing.

They are well made. We are happy with them and the look on the roof.

Contact Bruce Schwab for details.

73/gus
Thanks for this. New to me so I will Investigate further. How long have you had them on your roof? Any cell cupping as has been reported on other panels?


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Old 11-29-2017, 06:57 PM   #219
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Relatively new, and no cupping noticed yet. Time will tell. These Solbian panels are heavy duty marine designs, and they have been mounted on yacht decks and roofs for many years.

The Solbian SP series runs about $10/W and have a 5 year warranty.

Our 125W panels weighs 4 lbs, are 54x21.5", and are less than 0.1" (2 mm) thick. The shape was excellent for our open roof areas.

Solara Power M is another excellent marine panel to consider, offering a semi-flexible panel you can walk on.

73/gus
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Old 11-29-2017, 07:17 PM   #220
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Thanks. I see in reading about the SP panels that they also use the SunPower cells. Good to see. Renogy is also marketing these for the marine industry so maybe they are on to something.
Was the price of $10/w a typo? Renogy is around $3/w.
Anyhow. Great info. I still believe flexible is the way to go but I am being cautious after my last go round with them.
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