Cheap Solar E-bike Build

Glad to join this group and looking forward to learning a lot.
So I'm currently working on a build and want to do it as cheaply as possible. I will use flexible solar panes to keep weight down. I probably need about 250-300 watts. My plan is to travel and if I have to wait out a couple of cloudy days, that won't be a problem.
Anyone have any experience with the cheap flexible solar panels on Ebay? I mean I can get 200w for $100.
Thanks!

Prone2wander said:

Glad to join this group and looking forward to learning a lot.
So I'm currently working on a build and want to do it as cheaply as possible. I will use flexible solar panes to keep weight down. I probably need about 250-300 watts. My plan is to travel and if I have to wait out a couple of cloudy days, that won't be a problem.
Anyone have any experience with the cheap flexible solar panels on Ebay? I mean I can get 200w for $100.
Thanks!

Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum.

The words I bolded above should include "reliable," but when you include "reliable", the word "cheap" MUST be removed.

Additionally, MANY listings are inaccurate and claim higher wattage than the panels can actually deliver. See this for sanity check of any listings:


If you want reliable flexible panels, spend the money and get:

ETFE coated
5+ year manufacturing warranty
20+ year performance warranty

IMHO, if you want crap that won't last, buy "cheap flexible solar panels" on Ebay, Alibaba, Wish, etc.

Good luck with the project!

Thanks, that was what I have started to figure out. You saved me money and frustration.

Mono bifacial sooooo much more efficient...

Bifacial only seems available in large residential panels so won't work for an e-bike. But thanks!