We’ve seen great technological advancements in solar technology in the past couple of years. At present, there are different types of solar panels that one can use.
One of these types is Flexible Solar Panels. Flexible solar panels are actually nothing new under the sun, but they were always much more expensive and much more inefficient than normal solar panels.
As a result, it actually did not pay to opt for flexible solar panels. Nowadays, these flexible solar panels are also becoming cheaper and have an efficiency that is equivalent to standard solar panels.
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What are Flexible Solar Panels?
As the name suggests, these are solar panels with more flexibility. They are quite different from the rigid, rectangular, glass-encased standard solar panels typically found on rooftops.
Flexible solar panels are made of a different material, usually copper indium gallium selenide solar cell (or CIGS cells).
The operation of a flexible solar panel is the same as normal solar panels. Electricity is generated in daylight. This power is used directly or stored in a battery for later use.
The big advantage of a flexible solar panel is that the panel is lighter and more flexible. As a result, it can be used in many different places.
Features of Flexible Solar Panels
- Portable & Easy to handle.
- Less installation cost due to their lightweight design.
- Good heat dissipation.
- More durable compared to standard solar panels.
- Lower risk of damage during transport.
Best Flexible Solar Panels in India
At present, there are very few companies working on the concept of flexible solar panels. Kosol Energie is one of them.
Kosol Energie is a solar company owned by Kalthia Group. They have a wide range of solar panels including flexible and walkable solar panels. This flexible solar panel range starts from 80 watts and goes up to 330 watts. Flexible solar panels can be installed on the roof of a home, car, boat, parking lot, caravan, camping tent, etc.
In the video below, I’ve covered their flexible and walkable solar panels in a solar exhibition held in Greater Noida, India.
Pros & Cons of Flexible Solar Panels
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Flexibility – Due to their size and ability to be shaped, they work on many different projects. | Lower efficiency – They aren’t as efficient as other panels, meaning that more will be needed. |
| Lightweight – Flexible panels are lightweight enough to use on roofs not structurally ideal for a regular system | More space – With more panels needed, typical roof installs simply don’t have enough roof space. |
| Less expensive – Typically, flexible and thin panels take less time or labor to install and are portable. | Damage prone – Because of the organic solar cells used, flexible panels are more prone to damage. |
Uses of Flexible Solar Panels
Flexible solar panels are ideal for portable solar applications given their light weight. These panels are good to use for the following purposes;
- Marine Application – Boats, Yachts, Ships, etc.
- Camping & Hiking Trips
- Curved Surfaces
- Vehicle Roofs – Cars, Caravans, Buses, etc.
- Parking Shades
Conclusion
Flexible solar panels are also known as bendable solar panels because these panels are thinner, slightly bendable and suitable for mounting on round surfaces.
There are currently several developments going on in the field of flexible solar panels. We will keep on updating this article as and when some new information is available on this topic.
Till then, keep sharing this article and don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for solar-related videos – SolarClap
Respected sir I want to buy this product.what is the cost of this product?
jakash