In today’s video, we’re going to be testing flexible solar panels. Typically, I do not recommend anyone buying these on the market because they do not last very long. This test will be very interesting because I have an older panel with the same exact cells as a newer panel that I just bought. These are rebranded SunPower solar cells, which I believe are the best on the market. Every other flexible solar panel I’ve tested and reviewed in the past has failed after six months to a year, or the output significantly decreased. However, with SunPower solar cells, I’ve noticed that they last much longer and can take a lot more damage.
Durability of SunPower Solar Cells
I once flexed a SunPower panel and it cracked, but it still produced a lot of power. This is because it has a copper backplate, making it harder to damage. We also have a traditional flexible solar panel to test the output of that one. It’s important to note that whether you buy a cheap or expensive flexible solar panel, the output will be very high right when you buy it, making you feel like you saved a lot of money. However, after a year or two, the cheap ones will have a significantly decreased output. In contrast, SunPower solar cell panels maintain their output over time.
Testing Different Panels
Today, I have a Rich Solar panel that uses SunPower solar cells because they sent it to me for free. You can buy similar panels from SunPower directly. The main difference in flexible solar panels is not the solar cell itself but the surrounding components. Typically, the diode boxes and front materials are very cheap and can fall apart. The material on the front of some panels is not UV resistant and starts looking terrible after six months.
Let me show you a close-up. This is an old used panel, and you can see how much it has aged in just a year and a half. In comparison, the new one is shiny and beautiful. I think the new one is encapsulated by ETFE because of the small dots on the front, making it thicker and less flexible.
The Testing Process
Before we test the flexible solar panels, we will test a glass one that we’ve tested numerous times before, providing a baseline with the current amount of sunshine. This glass panel is pulling 99 watts continuously. Now, let’s test the new flexible panel. It’s producing 95 watts, with a maximum of 96 watts. Next, we’ll test an older panel with the same solar cells but different materials. After a year and a half, this panel is producing 81 watts, showing a significant decrease in output.
Heating the Panels
We’ll leave these two panels in the sun to heat up and then test them again. Meanwhile, we’ll test another flexible panel with two diode box connectors. It doesn’t have SunPower solar cells and typically degrades faster, but let’s see the initial output. It’s producing 104 watts at 88 degrees Fahrenheit, which is impressive.
After heating, the first panel is at 116 degrees Fahrenheit and produces 90 watts. The second panel, at 128 degrees Fahrenheit, produces 75 watts. The third panel, at 113 degrees Fahrenheit, produces 99.9 watts, indicating a stable and impressive output.
Conclusion and Recommendations
While the SunPower solar cells tend to last longer, the surrounding materials and packaging quality of flexible panels vary greatly. The Rich Solar panel, while having a good output initially, had poor packaging. For flexible solar panels, look for ones encapsulated by ETFE and avoid the black ones as they fail faster. Also, consider the warranty because flexible panels tend to fail within a few years, and you might need to swap them out.
For permanent installations, be cautious as you may need to replace these panels regularly. Always check the warranty and be prepared to use it. I hope this video helps you make an informed decision about flexible solar panels.
