Portable solar

" Is there a preference ...? "
With folding panels hinged together, glass side in, BUT... put into a canvas bag.

Maîneÿ . . .

My Solaport bought from Quirks (no longer around) which is now about twenty years old, the panels face in when folded with a rubber strip around the edge to stop metal to metal contact. They have an aluminium sheet pop riveted across the backs of the panels so are well protected. We also carry them in a bag.
Wouldn't be hard to change the panels made up the other way and pop rivet a sheet on the backs.

Hey Stan....I bought my panels from solar steve and they have been great...very happy, but now to your question....I made up 2x160w folding kits and the panels when closed up face (inside) together so that they are protected.

The edging on my panels is slightly proud and prevents the solar surface from coming in contact anyway.
I carry mine flat on top of each other between layers of dense foam matting ( that you buy from clark rubber)....ie foam/panel/foam/panel/foam and tied down on the roof rack of my troopy.

Keeps them clean and scratch free also.
Works for me.

Dont have them folding out.

.

hi
when i bought my 80w =2x40 folding panels and asked why they were hinged so the backs were inward and then go in a heavy duty canvass bag supplied bought at the caravan show in perth 3 years ago

i was told that the most vunerable surface of any solar panel is the back of the panel
the front is tougher and also the solar controller is stuck on the back of the panel and is also protected from knocks when folded for travel

and yet i have read on here that the s/controller should be as close to the battery being charged as possible and

yet mine works A1 ok with the solar controller stuck on the back and the long heavy cable running away to the battery 4mtrs
so as always on here you get very mixed advice and opinions about how things should be set up and despite the good and sometimes conflicting advice both sytems
still work satisfactory on applications in the field

there are so many varied opinions on how things should be set up
but
if it works for you well then stick to it
all opinions and advice is always received with repect by me but i dont alway do what im told
just ask my mother ???
cheers

Thanks to all those that gave some input.
I have ended up with two Kyocera 70w. panels with a Steca PR1515 regulator. 9 metres 6mmsq. twinflex with the reg. on the battery end. All held together with Anderson plugs and a piano hinge. Folds glass out because the junction boxes are proud of the frames Very happy with the setup @ $1188 .