Flexible solar panels

Submitted: Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 14:01

ThreadID: 80113 Views:6334 Replies:6 FollowUps:13

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Solar Power

This article covers every aspect of solar and its design and installation in RVs (camper trailers, caravans and motor homes). It shows how much power solar panels really produce,

Member - Andrew (QLD)

Just seeing on the Kimberley Kamper Eco-Camper site a flexible 125w solar panel kit.

Does any know what brand these modules are? This concept has me thinking .....;)

Andrew

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Reply By: WATTS2C - Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 16:57

Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 16:57

Sorry, don't know the brand or where to get them from.

Not saying that they would be a poor investment, but the facts are that you can't go past well built solid solar panels - for instance Kyocera which are ideal for Australian conditions and deliver the highest output of any panel available.

There's an excellent independent website that gives real time comparisons of different brand and style panels - it compares apples with apples.

It's called Solar Centre Sesert Knowledge and can be found at dkasolarcentre.com.au.

well worth a look see.

MH

AnswerID: 424222

Follow Up By: WATTS2C - Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 16:58

Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 16:58

sorry - Solar Centre Desert Knowledge

cheers

mh

FollowupID: 694634

Follow Up By: Road Warrior - Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 16:58

Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 16:58

I notice Projecta, the battery charger mob have gotten in on the solar panel act as well...

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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 17:53

Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 17:53

Who's saying these aren't well built solar panels? ;) The specs seem good, it's just that flexible panels in general have been given a bad reputation when comparing specs due to many being amorphous or poly.

Obviously highest output etc is not we are after in ALL cases, especially being a semi-flexible, foldable product. Yes it would be nice, however if that was the case, then we would all be buying Kyocera solid panels LOL

Any ideas on this brand....nothing on the net looks anything like them.

Andrew

FollowupID: 694647

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 19:42

Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 19:42

They’re about $1,590 each @ $12.70 per watt
compared to ~$1,149 for a BP 125 Watt panel @ ~$9.20 per watt

Maîneÿ . . .

FollowupID: 694654

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Saturday, Jul 17, 2010 at 06:58

Saturday, Jul 17, 2010 at 06:58

Price comparisons means nothing in this situation. :)

Andrew

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Reply By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 18:55

Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 18:55

quote -- Kyocera which are ideal for Australian conditions and deliver the highest output of any panel available.

That's a big statement and may not be true .. as there are a few Solar Panel manufacturers that do not appear on that website - my supplier for example is not in the list and with an efficiency rating between 13 and 15% would be up there with the "best" ...

However back on thread - I'll see what I can find out on those foldup units - They are most likely from USA as they seem to be the main force behind folding and roll up solar modules .

Cheers

Steve

AnswerID: 424240

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 19:46

Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 19:46

Steve,
Mate I will back you 100% on the thought you do have some very efficient solar panels :)

( no sucking up intended and no association etc etc )

Maîneÿ . . .

FollowupID: 694656

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 at 12:03

Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 at 12:03

Any success Steve? A lack of competition may explain some of the cost.

Andrew

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Follow Up By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 at 12:13

Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 at 12:13

Andrew ,

In a word --No ... Apparently the canvas - backed stuff is made for Kimberley Kampers only !!

All the other one's I have found are flexible plastic backed and from USA .

I wish I could find them ...

Cheers

Steve

FollowupID: 695194

Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 at 12:54

Wednesday, Jul 21, 2010 at 12:54

Thanks Steve :( My googling came up with the same answer, though i hoping for just the mono sheeting less canvas. Nice to know the brand of solar cell modules.

Andrew

FollowupID: 695196

Reply By: Mr Z - Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 19:58

Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 19:58

Ultimate Campers sell these ones

http://www.globalsolar.com/en/products/portable-solar-chargers/tactical-operations/p3-62-watt.html

I'm still trying to decide whether to get one or not?

AnswerID: 424247

Follow Up By: Member - John R (cQld) - Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 20:20

Friday, Jul 16, 2010 at 20:20

The full address is:
portable solar panel
but they look to be different to above pic.

Cheers, John

FollowupID: 694663

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Jul 17, 2010 at 15:49

Saturday, Jul 17, 2010 at 15:49

They are only 3.1 Amp Max, so you will not be capable with one panel to maintain the charge in a 12v battery system when running a fridge.

Maîneÿ . . .

FollowupID: 694729

Follow Up By: Mr Z - Saturday, Jul 17, 2010 at 21:46

Saturday, Jul 17, 2010 at 21:46

John R
I never mentioned that these panels were the same?
just another alternative!
sold by another camper trailer manufacturer.

Mainey, thanks for the constructive information.

FollowupID: 694781

Reply By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Jul 17, 2010 at 22:19

Saturday, Jul 17, 2010 at 22:19

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These are 62 watt ~$1,450 retail and available from about 40 retailers Aussie wide

Maîneÿ . . .

AnswerID: 424347

Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 07:06

Monday, Jul 19, 2010 at 07:06

any other relevant info?

Andrew

AnswerID: 424454

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 09:38

Tuesday, Jul 20, 2010 at 09:38

Hi Andrew

Depends a bit on your use - I needed a panel with enough flexibility to be glued straight onto the curve of my patrols roof so that it offered no wind resistance.

I got a 60 watt unit advertised on ebay which consists of the actual cells on a 3mm aluminium plate covered with a 2mm flexible plastic layer.
It can bend about 5 degrees.

Hence it provides real battery backup with no side issues.

The plastic covering would not last as long as glass.

This type of panel has a much higher output (about double) that of the
fold up type.

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