Ultimate Flexible Solar Panels - successes and warranty replacements

[Vic Harder]

I don’t have 80# shocks, but, I have to ask Vic, that roof is a load. What ... do you eat for breakfast? Dead lift?! Do the (steroidal) 80# lifter shocks add that much assistance comparatively?

I'm nowhere near as strong as I used to be. Near death experience 3 years ago took a lot out of me. No weights since that time. Technique is a big part of it, as I use my legs (and head) instead of my arms. The 80# lifters mean that once I get the roof 25% of the way up I can shift position (switch to arms) and it won't come back down on its own.

The thing about glass/residential/commercial panel is that the innovation/market is huge, and in a year or two the same size/weight panel will be putting out 2x the power. I'm waiting for the latest 600+W panels to be available to consumers, and will jump on that as my next upgrade.

 

[Will.I.Am]

Update on this 2021 install. One of the Renogy 175W panels has failed. Some kind of delamination problem, just like my ancient surfboards. The other Renogy 175 panel is still looking and performing well.

I hadn't thought of using a single high wattage residential panel Vic...well, maybe next time when these flexible panels die in a few years!

Instead, I bought a couple Renogy 175W panels and used aluminum Z bars (similar to what cent323 mentioned) to create (re-create I guess) a more rigid panel, then mounted to the yak tracks. It's a solid install, and each panel with the aluminum frame weights in at 11lbs...so 22lbs total for the two panels, and 350W total.

 

[Vic Harder]

Update on this 2021 install. One of the Renogy 175W panels has failed. Some kind of delamination problem, just like my ancient surfboards. The other Renogy 175 panel is still looking and performing well.

And to follow up on that, my 330W glass panel is still working fine.

 

[Will.I.Am]

Haha...yep I figured as much Vic. I'm thinking about this beast as a replacement: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C1SPY1D7/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=AWA4NAV5T95KM&th=1

 

[Will.I.Am]

One thing I do think about though as an advantage of having 2 panels is the series bump in higher voltage and low amps which lets me get away with the stock wiring in my 2005 4 wheel camper.

 

[buckland]

I have a 200 Watt Renogy (glass) 0n the roof and a 100 Watt Renogy Flex that I use with a 15 ft cord and position on the windshield with wipers up to sit on for air space. Also shades the interior. It is mostly stored away until needed so little wear and tear. It has been great now for 6 years so far.