The 10 Best Flexible Solar Panels
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in October of 2018. The sun is one of the best, and most readily available, green energy sources. It doesn't take a lot of know-how or money to set up a solar power system, which makes them great for DIYers who own boats or RVs. Flexible solar panels are newer than their stiff, unbendable brethren, though no less efficient. Every one on our list should be more than adequate to keep your batteries topped off. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Renogy 160 Watt
2. Uni-Solar PVL-136 PowerBond
3. SunPower 110-Watt
Editor's Notes
December 07, 2020:
Due to availability concerns, we had to remove the Genssi 400W, the Suaoki 150W, the Unlimited Solar UFLX-100, the Uni-Solar PVL-144, the BougeRV Ultra Thin, the Eco-Worthy Monocrystalline, and the Lensun LS-100FX2.
We added the Xinpuguang Kit, the HQST 12-Volt, the Dokio Thin Film, the Newpowa Lightweight, the TP-Solar Monocrystalline, and the SunPower 110-Watt. We also added the Eco-Worthy Waterproof, which is the only option on this list that lacks a grid (besides the Uni-Solar PVL-136 PowerBond). Its cells are connected by conductive glue rather than soldering tape, which is often the reason that some panels suffer from the notorious "hot spot" effect that can seriously damage them.
These flexible solar panels are great for a variety of applications, including powering vehicles. If outfitting your vehicle with solar is what you're specifically looking to do, though, you should check out our lists of the best solar panels for RVs or solar panels for boats. If, on the other hand, you want panels you can install in a single location that don't need to be flexible, have a look at the best 100-watt solar panels or 300-watt solar panels.
October 30, 2018:
We wanted to include solar panels suitable for a variety of uses. We recognize that the majority of people use solar panels on boats and RVs. For this reason we made sure to find some reputable models that are built to stand up to marine conditions, as well as those than can withstand lot of wind, since many people will leave them permanently installed on their recreation vehicles as they barrel down the highway.
4. TP-Solar Monocrystalline
5. Newpowa Lightweight
6. RavPower Polycrystalline
7. Eco-Worthy Waterproof
8. Dokio Thin Film
9. HQST 12-Volt
10. Xinpuguang Kit
Luke is a writer, director, and illustrator living in Massachusetts. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Literary Arts from Brown University, where he honed his skills as a writer and editor working for various campus newspapers, festivals, and film organizations. Upon graduating he traveled the world, eating scorpions in Thailand and hitchhiking across New Zealand before settling down in New England to write prose fiction. An autodidact and media sponge, he’s well-versed in topics such as literature, nonfiction, textbooks, film, television, recording equipment, video games, and art supplies. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, boxing, playing the piano, and translating complex subjects into plain language.