GlennWest Posted October 29, 2020 Report Share Posted October 29, 2020 (edited) I keep hearing about flexible panels, short life and started looking at warranty. To my surprise, some flexibles has 25 year warranty. Now lots are 5 years, so one has to do the research. I can see them on very curved roofs, awnings, etc. Renogy has some flexible with 25 year warranty. Edited October 29, 2020 by GlennWest Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcussen Posted October 29, 2020 Report Share Posted October 29, 2020 They appear to cost twice as much as rigid panels. Quote Foretravel 40ft tag 500hp Cummins ISM 1455 watts on the roof, 600 a/h's lithium in the basement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldjohnt Posted October 29, 2020 Report Share Posted October 29, 2020 In addition to extra cost, I am concerned (but no proof or research, ONLY saying I'm concerned) with cooling if stuck direct down on a roof versus rigid mount panels having an air space underneath for air circulation and cooling. I already have four rooftop rigid mounts working fine so I don't have to worry about changing out to flexibles yayyyyyyyyyyyy one less worry lol John T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcussen Posted October 29, 2020 Report Share Posted October 29, 2020 About 10 years ago, bought 10 Renogy 100 watt panels for $210 each because they were easy to install on my bus conversion curved roof. Worked good for about a year, then they started yellowing and production dropped off. Don't remember if they had a warranty, because I sold the bus with them still on, but won't buy them again. I am sure John T. is right and they would heat up your RV. I didn't really notice because I had 2 1/2 inches of spray insulation on the roof. Quote Foretravel 40ft tag 500hp Cummins ISM 1455 watts on the roof, 600 a/h's lithium in the basement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted October 29, 2020 Report Share Posted October 29, 2020 7 hours ago, GlennWest said: I keep hearing about flexible panels, short life and started looking at warranty. To my surprise, some flexibles has 25 year warranty. Now lots are 5 years, so one has to do the research. I can see them on very curved roofs, awnings, etc. Renogy has some flexible with 25 year warranty. These are people I trust when it comes to researching technology including solar. You might want to start here then follow links to other posts. https://www.technomadia.com/2014/08/technomadia-rv-solar-challenge/ Linda Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted October 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2020 Well, I have no desire to use them. Just after reading up on them surprised some offering same warranty as rigid. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
podwerkz Posted October 30, 2020 Report Share Posted October 30, 2020 I wish flexible panels were called 'conformal' panels. They will 'conform' to a curved surface and last for a while. But if they are constantly 'flexed', they will fail within the first year or two, depending on the frequency and amount of flexing. Many of the suppliers are long gone, vamoose, awol, cancelled, by the time you need warranty replacements. This is exactly why nearly all of them have weird brand names we have never heard of. Quote Nothing to see here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted October 30, 2020 Report Share Posted October 30, 2020 I wonder how the flexible panels compare to rigid ones in high winds and/or hail? What about the impact on then of frequent travel if on an awning or something that moves with the vibrations caused by travel? Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted October 30, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2020 Good question Curt. There is a Foretravel for sale on their forum. Has semi rigid panels on it. He states installed 2006. Still producing full output. That what got me researching. Now he has them mounted level with acs so good distance from roof. He states they are 350 watt panels. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldjohnt Posted October 30, 2020 Report Share Posted October 30, 2020 (edited) Tom Morton put 2760 Watts of flexible Solar panels on the roof of his fifth wheel (even the front lol) see videos below. REGARDLESS I still "wonder about" their cooling versus if they are rigid and slightly elevated so as to allow air flow and cooling underneath between them and the roof. If I recall he discusses cooling issues. To each their own choices, flexible or rigid obviously work, but I see no reason to change out my perfectly working rigids for flexibles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beS2qs9GkMo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDRDWryBP1A John T Edited October 30, 2020 by oldjohnt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcussen Posted October 30, 2020 Report Share Posted October 30, 2020 51 minutes ago, oldjohnt said: Tom Morton put 2760 Watts of flexible Solar panels on the roof of his fifth wheel (even the front lol) see videos below. REGARDLESS I still "wonder about" their cooling versus if they are rigid and slightly elevated so as to allow air flow and cooling underneath between them and the roof. If I recall he discusses cooling issues. To each their own choices, flexible or rigid obviously work, but I see no reason to change out my perfectly working rigids for flexibles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beS2qs9GkMo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDRDWryBP1A John T The panels Glen are talking about are not the flexible panels that Renogy sells, they do not have a frame but are about 3/8 inch thick, and are solid enough to mount on stand offs from the roof. The Foretravel guy he is talking about used brackets and VHB tape to mount them about 10 inches above the roof, so probably not much heat transfer to coach. Quote Foretravel 40ft tag 500hp Cummins ISM 1455 watts on the roof, 600 a/h's lithium in the basement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted October 30, 2020 Report Share Posted October 30, 2020 1 hour ago, oldjohnt said: I still "wonder about" their cooling versus if they are rigid and slightly elevated so as to allow air flow and cooling underneath between them and the roof. If I recall he discusses cooling issues. They get extremely hot, and I would be very hesitant to mount them directly on a rubber roof. I glued one on top of a conventional panel to provide ventilation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldjohnt Posted October 30, 2020 Report Share Posted October 30, 2020 1 hour ago, hemsteadc said: They get extremely hot, and I would be very hesitant to mount them directly on a rubber roof. I glued one on top of a conventional panel to provide ventilation. Thanks, I like that plan much better John T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted October 31, 2020 Report Share Posted October 31, 2020 16 hours ago, GlennWest said: Good question Curt. Who??? Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted October 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2020 Sorry about that Kirk. My bad Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted October 31, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2020 23 hours ago, oldjohnt said: Tom Morton put 2760 Watts of flexible Solar panels on the roof of his fifth wheel (even the front lol) see videos below. REGARDLESS I still "wonder about" their cooling versus if they are rigid and slightly elevated so as to allow air flow and cooling underneath between them and the roof. If I recall he discusses cooling issues. To each their own choices, flexible or rigid obviously work, but I see no reason to change out my perfectly working rigids for flexibles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beS2qs9GkMo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDRDWryBP1A John T Watched that video. Good example of shading. Shows me with two rows of panels would not allow tilting Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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