Both have pros and cons for sure. I took a hit on weight and install complexity as i have a 3 tier stack or rigid panels but for me it was important to get 400+ah a day in charging during the summer. The 1500w at 22% efficiency lets me put up to 100amps @12v toward my lithium
Flexible Panels hit Prime Time?
- Thread starter svetz
- Start date
svetz
Works in theory! Practice? That's something else
From what members have said the "old" flexible panels didn't even last 5 years and weren't worth the $$. It sounds like the new ones can stand up to the outdoors, at least they have a warranty for it. Hopefully, some members that were early adopters will post numbers showing readings when new and first year numbers, plus any updates on discoloration, delamination, etc.
curiouscarbon
Science Penguin
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- Jun 29, 2020
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richsolar 80W CIGS flexible panel
miasole 50W CIGS flexible panel
these are the ones I am testing. they work pretty well.
both seem to be more resistant to shading causing drop in power output
both seem to be generate a bit less output than a comparable sized mono solid panel, assuming perfect full sun.
I don't know what laminate material is used in either. This is a huge factor in weather longevity.
miasole 50W CIGS flexible panel
these are the ones I am testing. they work pretty well.
both seem to be more resistant to shading causing drop in power output
both seem to be generate a bit less output than a comparable sized mono solid panel, assuming perfect full sun.
I don't know what laminate material is used in either. This is a huge factor in weather longevity.
curiouscarbon
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Big agree that CIGS panels are generally expensive. So were GPS receiver a while ago ?
I would recommend looking at the miasole one. It's 50W rated for 80USD.
Sure as hell beats "rich solar" (LOL) which is 80W for 260USD. Ouch.
miasole CIGS = 1.6USD/W.
richsolar CIGS = 3.25USD/W.
miasole CIGS = 0.6W/USD
richsolar CIGS = 0.3W/USD
still more expensive than buying used mono rigid panels, of course.
they are both CIGS but I do consider the miasole one to be a fundamentally more affordable proposition. the build quality of the miasole 50W flex seems slightly less durable than the richsolar 80W flex, but still quite good.
anyways just sharing! the resilience to shading is nice.
I would recommend looking at the miasole one. It's 50W rated for 80USD.
Sure as hell beats "rich solar" (LOL) which is 80W for 260USD. Ouch.
miasole CIGS = 1.6USD/W.
richsolar CIGS = 3.25USD/W.
miasole CIGS = 0.6W/USD
richsolar CIGS = 0.3W/USD
still more expensive than buying used mono rigid panels, of course.
they are both CIGS but I do consider the miasole one to be a fundamentally more affordable proposition. the build quality of the miasole 50W flex seems slightly less durable than the richsolar 80W flex, but still quite good.
anyways just sharing! the resilience to shading is nice.
svetz
Works in theory! Practice? That's something else
Do you have a link to the Miasole CIGs? The 25 year warranty flex panels (which aren't CIGs) are $1.68/W. So, $1.60/W for CIGs is news!
curiouscarbon
Science Penguin
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product link: https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Rollable-Charger-Generators-Batteries/dp/B09154L69K/
merchant (miasole) amazon ID page : https://www.amazon.com/sp?seller=A3QU123M6U538T
which, as of today, looks like this:
