Flexible/portable solar panels?

[zuren]

I'm playing with the idea of adding some level of portable solar power to the van. I do not want to hard mount to the roof and not sure how I would transport a rigid panel safely. I like the idea of something that can be rolled or folded up to be stowed and I like the idea of being able to park the van in the shade then lay the panel in a sunny spot.

I've been doing some research and see prices on these things are all over the place, then I ran across this:

Uni-Solar PVL-68T

It's a laminate designed to be glued to the roof of a building. Is there any reason this couldn't be used as a portable, flexible panel?

I'm very green/naive about solar systems so please forgive me if this is a stupid question.

Thanks!

 

[dwh]

You...could...use it as a portable. The Vmp (Voltage at Max Power) is 16.5v, which puts it in the "12v nominal" range so with a 12v charge controller it would work fine to charge a "12v" battery.


The problem is: How many times can it be flexed before it breaks?

I mean, sure it's flexible, but it's not really designed to be rolled/unrolled a bunch of times. It's designed to be glued down to something.

You could maybe stick one on a piece of plywood to make it a portable...but the thing is 10 feet long.

 

[zuren]

You...could...use it as a portable. The Vmp (Voltage at Max Power) is 16.5v, which puts it in the "12v nominal" range so with a 12v charge controller it would work fine to charge a "12v" battery.


The problem is: How many times can it be flexed before it breaks?

I mean, sure it's flexible, but it's not really designed to be rolled/unrolled a bunch of times. It's designed to be glued down to something.

You could maybe stick one on a piece of plywood to make it a portable...but the thing is 10 feet long.

I was wondering if durability was going to be an issue. The interesting thing is that someone does appear to sell it as a portable kit:

http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Flexi...extension/dp/B004YH8B7O/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_1

 

[kcfunke]

I have a PowerFilm 60 watt foldable solar panel that I have been using for the past 2.5 years. It has held up well is around 3' X 5' unfolded and folds down into a rectangle about the size of a laptop. I just open it up and place it on my hood and use bungee cords to keep it from blowing around in the wind.

I use it out whenever we are camping for extended periods of time and everyday when I am working in the field and the tempurature is hot and I want to supplement the second battery so it does not get slammed.

On sunny days it will provide enough amps to run the fridge and still charge the second battery.

On cloudy and hot days, it will help keep the second battery around 80%.

 

[csjk]

Check out a company called Goal0 (Goal Zero). They make portable solar panel and battery systems in many sizes and configurations, from backpack portable to very large relatively. I'm not associated with them, but people seem to like their stuff.

 

[cchoc]

I've been looking around at options and I'm going to go with the 60W PowerFilm. I'll get it and the controller from AT this winter so I'll have it for my next long trip in the spring.

 

[simagic]

solar panels

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SOLAR PANELS 100 WATT. Two available

I have(2) two 100 watt solartech brand solar panels for sale that I cant fit where I intended for them to go. I have my three others installed but can't get the other two to go where I wanted them to go. Here is the link to where I purchased them from....

http://www.solartechpower.com/www/spm100p-n.html.

The specs are slightly different than the specs currently on their website and the physical size that I have is no longer available from them so the physical size is different as well.
First ...The physical size is 34.4 inches by 26.3 inches by 1.38 inches
The panel specs are ....
(for panel 1) / (for panel 2)
Watts 100 / 100
Vpm 18.6 / 17.0
Ipm 5.38 / 5.88
Voc 22.8 / 21.0
Isc 5.76 / 7.02
These panels cost me $350.00 each for a total of $700 (with shipping)( I have the receipt to show you). You can call the company and get a quote yourself for their current size 100watt panels. I bought these because they were a bit smaller, therefore taking up less room but as i said before, this size is not available from them anymore.
I paid $700 and I'm asking $500.. (or closest offer)... That's a pretty good savings to you and a pretty lousy loss for me just for my miscalculations.
You can come see how they function. I have a Digital multimeter to show you the specs. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Kinda looking for you to pick them up as shipping becomes expensive. I live in Philadelphia PA.. email magicdennis@comcast.net

 

[dzzz]

I'm playing with the idea of adding some level of portable solar power to the van. I do not want to hard mount to the roof and not sure how I would transport a rigid panel safely. I like the idea of something that can be rolled or folded up to be stowed and I like the idea of being able to park the van in the shade then lay the panel in a sunny spot.

I've been doing some research and see prices on these things are all over the place, then I ran across this:

Uni-Solar PVL-68T

I use that model on my camper. It's been used on many of the better Australian builds for years.