Over the past two decades, solar power has seen tremendous growth in popularity. And as the demand for solar power increases so does the options of solar panels in the market. Moreover, an advance in solar technology has led to the production of more efficient and versatile options.
However, the plethora of options out there makes choosing the right solar panel for your specific needs pretty challenging for you. And if you’re looking for the best solar panel out there, one of the main decisions to make is whether to get rigid or flexible solar panels.
That said, we’re going to give you a detailed look at both the flexible and rigid solar panels along with their pros and cons to help you know which one suits your needs best.
Flexible Solar Panels
Unlike rigid panels, flexible solar panels are designed bendable, making them able to conform to a vast range of surface shapes.
To begin with, flexible solar panels are made using ultra-thin, lightweight, and bendable panels. This makes them extremely lightweight and portable enough to use outdoors or even while you’re on the go. Since they easily contour to curved surfaces, you can conveniently use them in a boat, van, trailer, or RV.
The panels are made using photovoltaic technology, so they can efficiently harness solar energy to generate electricity. They are, however, designed to cater for low-power applications as their capacities usually range between 50 to 300 watts. However, they offer a decent efficiency rate that can range anything between 15 and 25 percent, transforming sunlight into electricity. This makes them extremely useful and reliable power banks.
When it comes to ease of installation, mounting flexible panels is super-easy and straight-forward. All you’re required to do is glue or tape them to a surface using the provided adhesive.
Pros
- Contours to different surface shapes effortlessly including that of a boat, van, RV, or trailer
- Are designed incredibly easy to mount and dismount
- Lightweight and portable design, makes them suitable for outdoor use
- Offers an extremely convenient way to power devices on the go
- Acts as Eco-friendly power banks
- Compact design allows easy transporting even in a backpack
- Decent efficiency rates
Cons
- Not as durable as rigid panels as they’re prone to scratching and damage
- Usually have short warranty periods
- Less efficient compared to rigid panels
- Not raised so can easily buildup heat beneath and reduce its lifespan or cause deterioration in performance.
- Not ideal for high power-applications
Best Applications for Flexible Solar Panels
Flexible solar panels are most useful in situations where you need on-the-go solar solution. This can include using it as your power bank inside your tent during your camping trips. Due to their foldable design, flexible panels can be stored inside a backpack and used conveniently to power devices while hiking.
They also offer a reliable and efficient way to generate electricity during long-distance travels in your RV, boat, or yacht. Besides that, they offer a noise-free environment, which is necessary when you’re trying to lure fish while fishing.
If your phone always runs out of power whenever you’re on the road, flexible solar panels can be the best power backup during your travels. They can serve as your compact, Eco-friendly power bank to keep your phone fully charged throughout your trips. They also come handy when you don’t want to drill holes in the roof of your house.
Rigid (Traditional) Solar Panels
Rigid solar panels are often considered traditional panels since they’ve been around for several decades and are mostly mounted on the rooftop of most buildings.
Rigid solar panels feature a strong and robust construction usually made of an aluminum metal frame with tempered glass casing. This makes them incredibly durable, extremely hard to bend, less vulnerable to scratching and tearing due to harsh weather. The rugged aluminum framing is not only simple to maintain but also helps protect the tempered glass and in turn improve the cell performance.
Besides that, rigid panels are made using photovoltaic technology, consisting of either monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells to offer high efficiency rates of up to 25 percent. This makes them able to covert more of the solar energy into electricity than flexible panels.
They are also bulkier and larger in size than flexible models, which make them ideal for permanent home solar systems. While they’re mostly installed permanently, they can be angled accordingly to maximize solar energy absorption throughout the year.
Pros
- They are built to last for years to come
- Strong and durable construction able to withstand damage and all weather
- Can be angled towards the sun to get maximum sunlight , despite the time of year
- High Efficiency rates of up to 25 percent
- They don’t use valuable interior space
- Long warranty covers of up to 30 years
- Usually cost less per watt of energy delivered
- They don’t accumulate heat beneath
Cons
- Usually mounted permanently in one place
- Heavier and bulkier in size than Flexible Panels
- Challenging to install
- Often requires drilling holes on the roof
Best Applications for Rigid Solar Panels
Due to their rugged, all-weather build quality, rigid solar panels are best suited for commercial, residential, and permanent mobile solar applications. Compared to flexible solar panels, rigid panels offer unparalleled durability, efficiency, and warranty cover making them the most suitable source of solar power over a long period of time. They are also highly recommended for virtually all permanent solar system installations.
Which One Should You Choose Flexible Vs. Rigid Solar Panels?
As you’ve seen from our review, both the flexible and the rigid solar panels offer free and Eco-friendly solar power for various applications. However, your decision on which solar panel to use between flexible and rigid models comes down to your power requirements.
For occasional use in your RV, van, or boat to keep your phone and other small devices charged, flexible solar panels can serve you best due to their portability and hassle-free installation.
Folding solar panels also offer a possible solution to your needs as this option combines to give you the best of both worlds by adding some flexibility and rigidity at the same time.
On the other hand, if you want a permanent solar panel system for daily use, you can’t go wrong with rigid solar panels. They’re also the best option for high power applications like commercial use. Also opt for rigid panels if you want something long-lasting and more efficient.
When choosing, it is also crucial you compare solar quotes from different installers to ensure you get the perfect one for your needs.