DIY portable flexible solar setup

Portable solar panels are the hardest solar panels to set up and get maximum sun light to.

Even with fixed panels; movement of a few inches and a couple of degrees can be the difference of poor and good performance.

Flexible solar panels are more of a convenience then performance.

Sorry can't offer much help as I prefer and use non flexible panels.

could be done. but not a fan of the idea,
as you said you want to be in the shade so even if you mount on the annex or awning(risking damage) you will probably still be shaded at some time.

2 x 150w panels should put out approx 20amps with a good reg.
the best time to get solar is around 10am to 2pm in that 4 hr period you could collect 80 amps.
i rate myself in a hi energy user but i am only using 45amp/24hrs. so i think you may see where i'm going with this.

my suggestion work out how much power you need and park to get the amount of sun you need. if its sunny who wants to be inside anyway.

also note that when the van is at home you still want the batteries to be charging all the time this will keep the batteries at their peek with the solar mounted on the roof you can be charging for free

option 2) mount one and use the other as a portable just make sure that you mount the reg close to the battery. dont want to lose all your power to voltage drop

yes i have a love hate relationship with solar.

Maybe attach your existing flexible panels to a piece of plywood, possibly a hinged pair. A hinged leg at the back.
Then position them wherever they will get maximum sun.

Can you make a light aluminium frame and slide them in when you stop. Then slide out and roll up when you go.

Hi, I have 2 x 100watt flexibles, cheap and chinese, they are the best panels I have ever had, beat all the expensive ones I have had over the years, I just made up 2 canvas bags to carry them in, they live in the front boot while travelling and I just put them out and lean them against the drawbar or rear bar, depending which way we are facing, being so light they don't have to be hard up against what they are leaning on, they can be on an angle and not fall or slide, as far as portable panels go I would not have anything else now.

Thanks everyone for the replies. After some careful thought, I think I'll just mount them on the roof (as I pretty much live in the desert and there's scarcely a tree in sight for local camping). I think I'll just try to set it up so I have to manually plug them in (I have an anderson plug on the trailer for solar) rather than a permanent connection. That way I can always carry another panel to use as a portable if I find there is a need.

I bought a semi flexible panel some time ago; unfortunately when it arrived two of the corners were badly damaged making it unsuitable for mounting on the camper. Using Sikaflex I mounted it to a piece of 7mm marine ply, attached a lead and merit plug and then mounted a regulator inside the camper. It works great: it's about 10mm thick (not including the junction box) and much lighter than the fold up panel I have. I usually place it on the bed when travelling and when camped place it on top of the camper or lean against a tree, plug in and forget. It weighs next to nothing and is so small and easy to use I don't use the fold up panel anymore.