Flexible Solar Panels: Pros, Cons, and Key Uses

Innovation is also reaching the renewable energy sector, and there are more and more alternatives on the market to take advantage of the full potential of photovoltaic energy. Do you know what flexible solar panels are? In this article, we tell you what they consist of, their differences from conventional panels, and what you can use them for.

What is a Flexible Solar Panel?

Flexible solar panels are a variant of photovoltaic panels whose main quality is that they can be flexed to adapt to very different surfaces that are not completely flat. Now, how do they achieve this flexibility?

Flexible solar panels are made using layers of silicon that are much smaller than those used in conventional photovoltaic panels. This thin material gives them greater flexibility so you can bend them slightly without breaking. This is also because of the absence of the metal frame that rigid solar panels usually have.

Also, manufacturers carry out a series of tests to check the effectiveness of flexible solar panels made with different types of organic materials.

Types of Flexible Solar Panels

Depending on the material and the number of layers they have, we distinguish between three main types:

Panels with a single protective layer

Firstly, we have flexible panels made from thin, low-quality plastic layers. This type of panel is very cheap, approaching the price of a conventional panel. They are usually the most sold because of their price, as customers often buy a panel without knowing the major cons they offer. This is a very fragile panel because the solar cells are encapsulated in a single layer of EVA plastic. So, this causes micro-cracks in its cells if they move or bend too much. And this often occurs because of its excessive flexibility.

On the other hand, this single plastic layer does not guarantee very long-lasting protection against inclement weather. So, its lifespan is very short, being less than 1 year in cases where the panel is exposed 24 hours a day to the elements and the sun’s force since it only has one plastic protection layer.

Panels with several layers

Secondly, we have the low-medium quality flexible panels. These are more expensive than the first ones since they have more plastic layers that provide them with greater protection and rigidity. So, this benefits the solar cells inside. These models are made with a double layer of EVA + a PET layer on the bottom. This gives it greater rigidity and an ETFE layer on the surface for greater protection.

Attention! You must be careful with this model since it is sold highlighting its ETFE layer. However, IT IS NOT ENOUGH to meet the minimum recommended standards. Its lifespan, depending on the use you give it, does not exceed 5 years.

Panels with several reinforced protection layers

Thirdly, we have panels that do meet the quality standards that any flexible solar panel should have as a minimum for good and long-term use. We are talking about panels made with the following layers:

• At first, a special lower layer of TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer) plastic that provides just the right amount of flexibility and adequate rigidity
• Secondly, they have a double upper EVA layer + a double lower EVA layer
• Also, they have a double layer of Composite Material which protects the solar cells much better
• And finally, a thick ETFE layer to withstand the action of the sun for many years.

To sum up, the third model is the only one that fulfils its function and does not cause problems for customers.

Other posts you may be interested in

How to install solar panels with maximum guarantees

The use of flexible solar panels is a clear example of how innovation also allows progress in renewable energies for the future. What seems to be increasingly clear is that the installation of solar panels is already a massive alternative. And more and more people are opting for this technology in their homes and businesses.

Whether you want to try flexible panels or have decided to install traditional solar panels, the most important thing is to do so with good advice. But why should you switch to this type of renewable energy? We give you some of the most important reasons:

• You will reduce your energy bill, even achieving up to 70% savings. You will be less dependent on market fluctuations and have total control over your energy.
• You will produce and consume clean energy, a key aspect of preserving the environment.
• You will increase the value of your home or building in the real estate market by improving its profitability.
• Your panels will have a long lifespan, with a guarantee of up to 25 years.

Comparison between rigid and flexible solar panels

In the case of rigid solar panels, take into account that they are made up of different photovoltaic cells connected in series. These photovoltaic cells are made up of wafers that are usually around 140 to 160 micrometres thick. Although this may seem like a very small value, you can’t bend them. In fact, if you try to bend a photovoltaic cell, it will immediately creak.

What’s more, if you look at a rigid solar panel, these photovoltaic cells are encapsulated within two glasses and a protective frame. This is mainly to prevent knocks and such but also to prevent bending the solar panel and microcracks in the photovoltaic cells.

On the other hand, flexible solar panels are based on another type of technology. These photovoltaic cells are much thinner than the photovoltaic cells in rigid panels. They are between 250 and 350 times thinner, which allows them to bend very easily without suffering micro-breaks.

In terms of performance, rigid solar panels win hands down over flexible solar panels. This is why flexible solar panels are not a very common solution to install on the roof of our house when we seek to maximize the installable photovoltaic power.

In other words, when we talk about efficiency, on a 20 square meter roof, we will fit much more photovoltaic power if we use rigid panels than if we use flexible panels.

However, flexible panels are preferable in some specific cases. For example, in the case of a very old roof, or some type of roof that does not allow much weight.

And this is because the difference in weight is very noticeable. A rigid solar panel usually weighs around 20 kilograms, while a flexible solar panel usually weighs less than 5 kilograms. So, in the case of a roof that cannot withstand very high loads, it may be preferable to install flexible solar panels.

As for how they work, there are not too many differences. Essentially, both consist of a series of photovoltaic cells connected together. These cells have a small connection box at their output, from which two cables with two connectors emerge. And we take them to our photovoltaic inverter, which will transform the direct current coming from the solar panel into alternating energy to be able to feed the loads we have.

But in itself, the modus operandi of both technologies is practically the same.

As for the type of cells, whether it is monocrystalline or polycrystalline, it is exactly the same. In a rigid panel, we normally talk about monocrystalline cells and polycrystalline cells. Also, in the past, polycrystalline was used a lot, while today we use monocrystalline. Well, the same is true for flexible cell solar panels: more and more monocrystalline cell technology is being used.

However, there is a big difference in efficiency. Rigid monocrystalline panels currently achieve efficiencies exceeding 20%, often reaching 21%. On the contrary, flexible solar panels typically demonstrate efficiencies of around 13% to 16% at best.

This then affects the output power. Rigid panels already achieve powers of up to 670 watts. However, a flexible solar panel rarely exceeds 200 or 300 watts.”

Another point to mention is the lifespan of the panel. Rigid panels are designed for a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Their glass layer and frame offer strong protection.

However, flexible panels have a shorter lifespan. This is because they are no longer encapsulated in glass but in plastic. So, they are more exposed to impacts. In addition, their movement, as you don’t typically fix them in one location, exposes them to more potential damage than a rigid solar panel. Flexible solar panels usually have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years. It will depend a lot on how much you use it.

Advantages of flexible solar panels

It is time to analyze the benefits of flexible solar panels compared to traditional ones. We list all their pros, including some obvious ones, to help you decide if betting on them interests you.

• They are easier to transport. Since they do not have the metal structure that conventional solar panels have, they are lighter. So, if you have to place them in spaces that are more difficult to access, they can be an interesting option.
• They are much more flexible and suitable for installation on surfaces that are not flat, such as some roofs of certain industrial buildings. In general, they adapt to any more irregular surface.
• Better aesthetic integration. Flexible solar panels have a design that integrates very well into the aesthetic ensemble of buildings, maintaining visual harmony in large cities.
• They are easy to install and maintain. To install them, it is not necessary to carry out major work but simply access the electrical outlet.
• They take up little space. They are smaller than traditional solar panels, which reduces the space they take up both when transporting them and on the surface where you install them.

Disadvantages of flexible panels

Although there are many advantages to flexible solar panels, it is also important to point out the less positive aspects to take into account when deciding which one to choose:

• Their price is higher than that of conventional solar panels. The cheapest flexible panels are, in turn, the worst quality. So, if you are going to opt for this technology, you will have to face a higher cost.
• They are more sensitive to external conditions, such as high temperatures or humidity levels.
• Less durability: The sensitivity we have mentioned, added to the fact that the materials used for these panels are less resistant, makes the lifespan of flexible panels shorter.
• Less efficiency:  Flexible photovoltaic panels usually need more surface area to generate the same energy as traditional solar panels because their power is lower. So,  their efficiency also decreases.

Uses of flexible solar panels

Another of the doubts that usually arises most frequently among people thinking about installing flexible panels is what applications they have because of their particular features. Below, we tell you what are the most common uses of these devices:

Charging devices

One of the most common uses that are usually given to flexible panels is the charging of smartphones, computers and other types of devices. You can carry a flexible panel even in your hiking backpack, which will allow you to have the phone charged when you go out on a route.

It is even possible to use them to recharge the electric car, although, in these cases, it is important to calculate if the number of panels that you can place in your home is sufficient to generate the energy that your vehicle needs.

Energy for boats

In the case of boats, one of the problems is weight. However, the biggest problem is that available space is often insufficient for installing rigid solar panels. For example, think of a sailboat. It’s hard to find a completely flat surface. The fact that almost all of them have curved surfaces presents a challenge when installing rigid solar panels. So, that’s why flexible solar panels are the perfect solution for these cases.

Camping

If you like to go on holiday in camping mode, either with your camper or caravan or in a campsite, carrying flexible panels is a guarantee of having energy outdoors by taking advantage of sunlight.

Flexible panels are ideal for RVs. And why? Because in this type of vehicle, there is a big penalty for adding too much weight. We will surely consume more fuel if we put in heavy solar panels. In short, what we gain on one hand we lose on the other. If we use flexible panels, as they are very light, they will not be an additional burden and will not have a negative impact on higher gasoline consumption. So, they are an interesting solution for these cases.

Lighting

You can choose flexible panels to guarantee a lighting system using solar energy if you live in a rural area where the connection to the electricity grid often fails, especially in winter.