How flexible is the most flexible solar panel.

[Mickconnolly]

Hi all
My question revolves around flexible solar panels and what the minimum diameter might be in terms of bend in a solar panel. I would love to hear what the inherent microstructure is that determines the minimum diameter they can be flexed to.

Thanks all

Mick

[BruceS]

Mick it is really starting to sound like you need to chat to Terry about flexible solar panels. (&Prius!)
He WAS fitting them in his business until the failure rate stopped him doing it.

[Mickconnolly]

I know Bruce, we had a good chat about it. We even independently did a similar experiment with solar panels! I saw the results of the panel issues.

We talked about a lot of stuff and as it the way with me I got so hooked up in the chat that I didn’t cover a the stuff I wanted to talk about. Never mind we will chat again.

The current thing I’m working on is to try to convince a Uni of Newcastle professor who has come up with a “printable solar” technology to consider trialing an awning on the side of my MH. I’m thinking that an awning that has printed solar panels directly on it could open an entirely different movement towards more 12v in more caravans and MH.

Just think of all that sunshine that we hide from under the awning being converted into hot water and/or full batteries and/or bug zappers, etc.

I original question is asked to try to gather a picture of what “more conventional” flexible solar panels can do.

Thanks for the reply.

Mick

[T1 Terry]

Hi Mick, long time no see The current crop of solar panels need to be heated before they can be bent very far, laying in the sun works well. As far as rolling them up, not the tech available now but a printed type, who knows? The problem in the past with printed type modules was efficiency, a solar panel with much of a curve on it isn't very efficient either so the tech available at the moment actually flexes further than the real practicality of the amount of curvature that produces a useable output.
Having said that, a semi flexible panel curved concave long ways could actually catch the reflected light from the other half of the panel, add a mirror finish backing extending past each side of the panel creating the bottom part and top part of the concave curve could double as a water heater as well as greatly increase the solar harvest over the number of square metres of roof space, make it rotating from east to west to follow the sun and the curve could be greater than 180* so capturing more sun light and reflecting it back into the active areas ...... not sure if that will help on an RV roof though

.As far as an awning, how about multiple 100w panels on Lexan mounted lengthways that fold up or even slide up under each other till there was one row exposed on the roof when collapsed yet extended out to the area the awning covers now but looking more like a slate roof than a canvas awning when deployed. Basically a similar design with the arms as used in the roll up awning but no drum and spring required unless utilised to roll up fabric straps that support the whole panel assembly ...... maybe even a combination of the current roll up awning and the sliding slat solar array on top ...... I want to see the photos of the first one you make

T1 Terry & Margaret

[Barboots]

... chat to Terry about flexible solar panels... (snip)... he WAS fitting them in his business until the failure rate stopped him doing it.

Have you really given up on them Terry? I'm curious about what you've gone to.

Cheers, Steve

[T1 Terry]

... chat to Terry about flexible solar panels... (snip)... he WAS fitting them in his business until the failure rate stopped him doing it.

Have you really given up on them Terry? I'm curious about what you've gone to.

Cheers, Steve

No, finally sorted the cause of the failures so we still fit them on request. We had a rather expensive learning experience we wouldn't like to repeat so we are a lot more cautious about recommending them over the more reliable 60w and 100w panels in parallel so really only where weight is a serious issue.
We are still planning to make up portable panels using them as the test pair one of our friends is torture testing for us still work fine after quite a few mishaps where a sudden gust of wind has sent them sailing across the hardstand and into the scrub that would have destroyed a rigid glass panel. Still need to spend some time designing a tethering method that doesn't take up a lot of room and is only heavy when required to be, something like a water bladder is the thought at the moment.

[dapope]

... chat to Terry about flexible solar panels... (snip)... he WAS fitting them in his business until the failure rate stopped him doing it.

Have you really given up on them Terry? I'm curious about what you've gone to.

Cheers, Steve

No, finally sorted the cause of the failures so we still fit them on request. We had a rather expensive learning experience we wouldn't like to repeat so we are a lot more cautious about recommending them over the more reliable 60w and 100w panels in parallel so really only where weight is a serious issue.
We are still planning to make up portable panels using them as the test pair one of our friends is torture testing for us still work fine after quite a few mishaps where a sudden gust of wind has sent them sailing across the hardstand and into the scrub that would have destroyed a rigid glass panel. Still need to spend some time designing a tethering method that doesn't take up a lot of room and is only heavy when required to be, something like a water bladder is the thought at the moment.

Couple of pegs....

[T1 Terry]

Couple of pegs....

The locals get a tad touchy when you belt tent pegs through their bitumen or packed road base so it needs to be something that can be used anywhere. If it was just into dirt or clay then the long hex head timber screw driven in with the electric drill works great and is easy to install and remove.

T1 Terry

[Mickconnolly]

No Terry, that is not a broken solar panel, it’s a highly customised solar panel that displays a wonderful spiderweb effect not seen on many panels. In fact it’s a highly sought piece of art!!🤪

Anyway back to earth. I was looking at the existing awning mechanisms so any potential customer base would not have to “endure” too much change. Believe it or not some people hate change...imagine that🤪. So if we could find flexible tech panels that could be “bonded” to existing awning material or even replace existing awning materials then I see an opportunity. BUT this bloody thing called reality keeps getting in the way.

Let’s see if the Uni Newcastle come back with anything. Problem CHEP have signed a deal with them so probably they are now leaving coed down tech wise.

[Vik351]

https://www.korrlighting.com.au/solar-mats-crocskin/

vik...