Semi Flexible vs Rigid

nickchapman · 02-09-22, 04:12 AM

Im hoping to build my own DIY solar kit and in my research I've been seeing semi-flexible solar panels crop up a lot.

The project will eventually be for my VW camper but I want to get my head around the solar tech available first before I install it.

I have a long way to go and a lot of research to do but initially, I'm wondering if someone with experience in this stuff could outline some of the practical differences between semi-flex and rigid panels?

What are the benefits of using rigid instead of semi-flex?

Are there any issues with semi-flex that make them hard to work with?

Daox · 02-09-22, 03:30 PM

Aside from the mounting differences, rigid panels are going to be more efficient.

nickchapman · 02-10-22, 04:04 AM

Thanks.

Ok so mounting differences seem logical - this makes sense.

It also makes sense that rigid panels will be more efficient.

I'm still trying to visualise the bend of "semi"-flexible panels though. How semi is "semi"?

I have found online for example that Sunpower panels can bend up to 30°, e.g. the SPR-E-Flex-50

But, I would expect that would be affected by the length of the panel? i.e. would the longer 110w be able to bend more?

nickchapman · 02-10-22, 04:07 AM

I'm just trying to figure this out as my camper has a curved roof, I want to make sure I'm barking up the right tree!

Also, I'm curious to know if that 30° is a bend length ways or width ways?

If you install with a bend greater than 30°, would it affect performance, efficiency or life-span?

nickchapman · 03-04-22, 09:31 AM

So just as an update, I went ahead and bought the 50W SunPower panel - https://envirobuy.com/50w-solar-pane...urved-surface/

I can confirm that there is some bend!

lol ok so the bend is more flexible than I thought, but it still has a level of brittleness to it.

Like, it feels as if it can bend, but shouldnt, if that makes sense?

The best way I can describe how it handles is like a large bendy piece of circuitry.

The bend is enough for my camper and I'm hoping to get on with install in the coming weeks.

dguzzi · 03-04-22, 04:18 PM

Let us know how it works out. I like these kind of projects! Pictures please!

02-09-22, 04:12 AM	#1
nickchapman Lurking Renovator Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Semi Flexible vs Rigid Im hoping to build my own DIY solar kit and in my research I've been seeing semi-flexible solar panels crop up a lot. The project will eventually be for my VW camper but I want to get my head around the solar tech available first before I install it. I have a long way to go and a lot of research to do but initially, I'm wondering if someone with experience in this stuff could outline some of the practical differences between semi-flex and rigid panels? What are the benefits of using rigid instead of semi-flex? Are there any issues with semi-flex that make them hard to work with?

02-09-22, 03:30 PM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Aside from the mounting differences, rigid panels are going to be more efficient. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-10-22, 04:04 AM	#3
nickchapman Lurking Renovator Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks. Ok so mounting differences seem logical - this makes sense. It also makes sense that rigid panels will be more efficient. I'm still trying to visualise the bend of "semi"-flexible panels though. How semi is "semi"? I have found online for example that Sunpower panels can bend up to 30°, e.g. the SPR-E-Flex-50 But, I would expect that would be affected by the length of the panel? i.e. would the longer 110w be able to bend more?

02-10-22, 04:07 AM	#4
nickchapman Lurking Renovator Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I'm just trying to figure this out as my camper has a curved roof, I want to make sure I'm barking up the right tree! Also, I'm curious to know if that 30° is a bend length ways or width ways? If you install with a bend greater than 30°, would it affect performance, efficiency or life-span?

03-04-22, 09:31 AM	#5
nickchapman Lurking Renovator Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Liverpool, UK Posts: 8 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So just as an update, I went ahead and bought the 50W SunPower panel - https://envirobuy.com/50w-solar-pane...urved-surface/ I can confirm that there is some bend! lol ok so the bend is more flexible than I thought, but it still has a level of brittleness to it. Like, it feels as if it can bend, but shouldnt, if that makes sense? The best way I can describe how it handles is like a large bendy piece of circuitry. The bend is enough for my camper and I'm hoping to get on with install in the coming weeks.

03-04-22, 04:18 PM	#6
dguzzi Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 68 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Let us know how it works out. I like these kind of projects! Pictures please!