Are Flexible Solar Panels Right for You?

As the most commonly used solar panels, photovoltaic panels have become the first choice for most homeowners when installing solar energy systems. But with the government phasing out subsidies for solar system installations, many households simply do not want to pay the high cost of buying and installing traditional solar panels. However, flexible solar panels can help them provide an affordable alternative to solar energy systems.

In fact, "flexible" does not refer to the ability of solar energy systems to change the amount of power they produce and consume. The term actually refers to the flexibility of solar panel materials, which means that flexible solar panels can be installed on curved surfaces.

 

If you have the idea of installing flexible solar panels, you need to read the next few facts carefully to have a specific understanding of this type of solar panels, and then make the right choice.

 

1. Properties of Flexible Solar Panels

Traditional monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels are composed of semiconductor material called silicon. Usually their thickness will reach 200 microns. The silicon wafers in flexible solar panels are only a few microns wide. The use of these ultra-thin silicon wafers can provide many unique properties for solar panels. In fact, the research of this kind of solar panel has been going on for a long time. Recently, researchers have discovered a way to combine organic materials and graphene. The unique transparency and flexibility of the graphene will make flexible solar panels move in a thinner and more stable direction.

 

At present, the flexible solar panels for homeowners in the market are thin-film solar panels. These panels are light and durable.

 

 

2. Characteristics of Flexible Solar Panels

One of the advantages of flexible solar panels is that they can adapt to different types of solar photovoltaic systems. Some families' rooftops cannot bear the weight of traditional solar panels due to structural problems, but thin-film panels can solve this problem. Because flexible solar panels can change their shapes, they can be easily mounted on less traditional structures.

 

On the other hand, the installation cost of flexible solar panels is much lower than other solar panels. Moreover, due to the very light weight of the panel, the labor required for installation will also reduce.

 

In addition to these advantages, flexible solar panels also have disadvantages that cannot be ignored. The most common obstacle to thin-film solar panels is that their efficiency is lower than traditional solar panels. The efficiency of monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels is generally between 16% and 20%, while the efficiency of thin-film solar panels is usually between 7% and 13%. The reduction in efficiency means that you will need more solar panels to generate the same amount of energy. As a result, some families may want to install flexible solar panels on the roof but do not have enough installation area.

 

 

In summary, flexible solar panels are usually suited for mobile solar, rather than permanent home solar solutions. When you are camping or traveling long distances, durable and lightweight solar panels are a great way to generate free electricity.