Flexible solar cell is a kind of thin film solar cell with advanced technology, excellent performance, low cost and wide applications. It can be applied to solar backpacks, solar convertible tops, solar flashlights, solar cars, solar sailboats, and even solar powered airplanes.

One important application area of flexible solar energy is BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics), which can be integrated into windows or roofs, exterior walls or interior walls.

Working principle

Compared to traditional (flat) solar panels, flexible solar panel technology makes solar panels lightweight, portable, and bendable, allowing you to carry them with you on the go. In fact, their portability is their main selling point. The price of 100 watt flexible solar panels on the market is less than $100.

Despite significant surface differences, the working mechanism of flexible solar panels is very similar to traditional (flat) solar panels, as they are based on the same photovoltaic technology – the ability of materials to generate solar energy from absorbing direct sunlight.

In fact, all forms of solar panels are strategically manufactured in deep blue/black tones to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight (during the day), which will result in higher power generation.

Although traditional solar panels used to power residential and commercial complexes are larger in size and power (typically multiple 340 watt panels), making them bulky, flexible solar panels are designed to meet low wattage power demands, typically with a capacity of 50 watts to 300 watts. In addition, this can be stored in the battery for future use.

For this reason, they are a particularly useful portable power bank that will come in handy when you are on the go. Therefore, they can be comfortably used for RVs, rowing equipment, marine equipment (including large yachts), camping trips, long-distance travel, and even daily use as your main source of power for living away from the grid.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

1. As an environmentally friendly energy bank (requiring batteries)

2. Lightweight and portable, with a small size, most of them can fit into a pocket.

3. Compared to traditional (flat) solar panels, it can be bent enough to achieve multifunctionality

Disadvantages:

1. The general size is not large, so power generation and storage are limited. Even with an efficiency of up to 25%, you can only obtain flexible solar panels of around 300 watts.

2. Not as durable as solar panels. For example, even high-quality solar panels only offer a 5-year product warranty, while traditional solar panels can easily have a lifespan of 20-25 years.