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5 Best Flexible Solar Panels (2023 Reviews and Buyer's Guide)
In this review guide on the best flexible solar panels, you’ll learn:
- Whether flexible solar panels are better than rigid ones
- Which types of flexible solar panels are available
- What to look for when selecting a flexible solar panel
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What Are the Five Best Flexible Solar Panels?
Flexible solar panels are great for when you are on the go, whether that is exploring the country side in an RV or living as a digital nomad, staying connected to power is probably a critical question that you’re asking yourself. So naturally we got you covered and researched the best flexible solar panels so you stay connected to an energy source when you need it.
Based on criteria including durability, ease of installation, efficiency and cost of solar panels, we’ve determined the following products to be the best flexible solar panels on the market.
| Best Flexible Solar Panels | Our Award | Buy Now |
| Renogy Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel | Best Overall | Check Price |
| SunPower Flexible Solar Panel | Runner Up | Check Price |
| Renogy 100 Watt Solar Flexible Kit | Best Beginner Kit | Check Price |
| Renogy 350 Watt Solar Flexible Kit | Best Full Kit | Check Price |
| Topsolar Flexible Solar Panel | Best Panel Under $150 | Check Price |
We did our research and confidently say that these are the best flexible panels. Read on to learn more about each individual flexible solar panel and why we selected them.
SunPower
Best National Provider
Nationwide Service
Average cost
Pros
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
Cons
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
SunPower designs and installs industry-leading residential solar and storage solutions across all 50 states. With a storied history of innovation dating back to 1985, no other company on this list can match SunPower’s experience and expertise.
SunPower earns its position as the top national installer on our list for a handful of reasons: It installs the most efficient solar technology on the residential market, offers the most expansive service area and backs its installations with a warranty well above the industry standard. All the while, SunPower pioneers sustainability efforts within the industry.
If that weren’t enough, SunPower systems come packaged with products all manufactured in-house by its sister company, Maxeon. This means that your panels, solar cells, inverters, battery and EV chargers are designed to work together and are all covered under the same warranty.
SunPower’s biggest downside? Its high-efficiency panels are considerably more expensive than most of its competitors’ products. However, its powerful panels are workhorses that make up for the initial cost with more backend production (think about this like spending more money for a car that gets more miles per gallon).
Facts and Figures: SunPower
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Year Founded |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
| Warranty Coverage |
| 5 |
| A+ |
| 1985 |
| $$$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, System Monitoring |
| SunPower Panels |
| 25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Blue Raven Solar
Best Solar Financing
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
Cons
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
We like Blue Raven Solar because it understands that, for most homeowners, the cost of solar presents the biggest barrier to entry.
For that reason, Blue Raven Solar developed an innovative solar financing plan that offers in-house, flexible, zero-money-down options. The results speak for themselves, as Blue Raven Solar is now one of the fastest-growing solar companies in the nation and was recently acquired by SunPower. Its BluePower Plus+ plan (exclusive to Blue Raven) mimics the flexible structure of a lease while still providing the greatest benefits of owning your system.
Eligible homeowners enjoy 18 months of solar power before having to pay their first bill. When coupled with the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC), the initial energy savings can offset more than a third of the overall cost of a system before requiring a dollar down.
In contrast, other installers can only offer similar financing through solar leases, PPAs or third-party providers (such as Mosaic or Sunlight). Third-party loan providers can complicate the process, while opting for a loan or PPA will disqualify you from some of solar’s biggest benefits (additional property value, federal solar tax credit and local solar incentives).
Facts and Figures: Blue Raven Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Year Founded |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
| Warranty Coverage |
| 4.5 |
| A+ |
| 2014 |
| $$ |
| Solar Panels, System Monitoring |
| Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower |
| 25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee |
ADT Solar
Best Warranty Coverage
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
Cons
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
ADT Solar sets the industry standard for warranty coverage by including a multifaceted guarantee, making it one of the top installers for homeowners who want added peace of mind.
Its warranty coverage includes all of the following for 25 years:
- Power Production Guarantee: Also known as a performance guarantee, this ensures your solar system will produce the amount of electricity that’s outlined in your proposal, or ADT will write you a check for the difference.
- Labor Guarantee: This covers any issues with the installation of your system and is also known as a workmanship warranty.
- Panel Module Performance Guarantee: This is what ADT Solar refers to the manufacturer warranty as, and it ensures that any manufacturing defects are repaired or your ineffective panels replaced.
- Enphase Microinverters Guarantee: This backs the performance of your inverters.
Though in recent years other solar companies have started to offer similar guarantees, ADT Solar has been at it since 2008, performing over 30,000 installations across the country.
Facts and Figures: ADT Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Year Founded |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
| Warranty Coverage |
| 4 |
| A- |
| 2008 |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, Energy-Efficiency Upgrades |
| Silfab, Panasonic and others depending on location |
| 25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Best Flexible Solar Panel Overall:
Renogy Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
The Renogy 100W Flexible Solar Panel is capable of bending up to 248 degrees, making it perfect for marine or recreational vehicle use. Weighing just a tenth of the weight of its rigid counterparts — 4 pounds — this flexible solar panel provides best-in-class performance for a wide variety of solar applications. Key Features:
- Extremely lightweight (4 pounds)
- Best flexibility
- Durable and designed to withstand extreme wind and snow loads
- Excellent low-light conversion
Why Buy: The Renogy 100W Flexible Solar Panel is unmatched in adaptability and performance. If you only need a small number of flexible solar panels or budget isn’t an issue, you’d be hard pressed to find a better unit.
Runner Up, Flexible Solar Panel:
SunPower Flexible Solar Panel
The SunPower 110 Watt Flexible Solar Panel offers great generation capabilities and modularity. Weighing in at just under 4.5 pounds and with 30 degrees of flexibility, the SunPower 110 Watt Flexible Solar Panel provides ample performance for almost any off-grid, on-the-go power need. Key Features:
- Lightweight (4.4 pounds)
- 5-year warranty
- Limited flexibility compared to other options
- A bit expensive
Why Buy: The SunPower 110 Watt Flexible Solar Panel offers gracious power generation and comes with a great warranty. This panel isn’t a contortionist like some of its rivals, but it will do just fine fitting on most curved surfaces like a boat’s Bimini top or the roof of a camper.
Best Flexible Solar Beginner Kit:
Renogy Solar Flexible Kit
The Renogy 100 Watt Solar Flexible Kit takes our overall pick for best flexible solar panel and pairs it with the components you need to hit the ground running. Includes the panel, charge controller, and connector cables for easy, DIY solar panel installation. Key Features:
- Lightweight panel (4 pounds)
- Great flexibility
- Durable
- Excellent low-light conversion
- Includes charge controller and cables
Why Buy: The 100W Renogy Flexible Solar Panel Kit is unmatched in adaptability and performance. With the included high-quality charge controller and connector cables, you’ll be ready to go out-of-the-box.
Best Flexible Solar Full Kit:
Renogy 350 Watt Solar Flexible Kit
Generating over three times the solar power of other panels on this list, the Renogy 350 Watt Solar Flexible Kit will provide enough juice to power a swath of appliances and devices. The kit comes with two 175-watt panels that, like Renogy’s 100-watt panel, are made of high-quality, ultra-thin bendable solar cells capable of flexing an impressive 248 degrees. With the included charge controller and connector cables, you’ll be ready to make the most out of your sun-powered adventure. Key Features:
- Lightweight for its size (6.2-pound panels)
- Great flexibility
- Durable
- Excellent low-light conversion
- Includes charge controller and cables
Why Buy: If you need extra power on the go, the Renogy 350W Solar Flexible Kit is unmatched in adaptability and performance. With the included high-quality charge controller and connector cables, you’ll be ready to go out-of-the-box.
Best Flexible Solar Panel Under $150:
Topsolar Flexible Solar Panel
At under $150, the Topsolar 100W Flexible Panel is a great budget option that’s waterproof and durable, so you don’t have to worry about putting it through the ringer. This panel is ideal for stringing, or connecting multiple panels to produce an overall higher power output. Plus, a surprisingly decent low-light conversion gives it 50% greater conversion efficiency than some conventional solar panels. Key Features:
- Good capacity for the price
- Good low-light conversion
- Lightweight (4 pounds)
- Durable
- Decent flexibility
- Lower optimal current than competitors
Why Buy: The Topsolar 100W Flexible Panel is an ideal place to start if you’re buying your first flexible solar panel or if you have a tight budget. It offers the best value compared to other panels at this price range.
If you’d like to speak to a certified installer about flexible panels, follow the links below.
How Do Flexible Solar Panels Work?
As far as solar technology goes, flexible solar panels work in the same way that rigid panels do. The question then becomes: How do solar panels work in general? Solar panels convert the energy of photons (light particles) into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect.
When a photon hits a solar module, its energy causes electrons to flow within the solar cells, producing an electric current. The resulting electricity is direct current (DC) power, which is commonly used in battery-powered devices. For household or commercial use, the DC power is converted into alternating current (AC) electricity with an inverter.
Types of Flexible Solar Panels
The heart of a solar panel is the cell, so let’s start there. Here are how the types of flexible solar panels differ:
- Monocrystalline cells are made of a solid silicon crystal. Mono cells allow greater electron flow, resulting in a smaller, high-efficiency panel. But they tend to be more expensive.
- Polycrystalline cells are made from many individual shards of silicon. They’re not as efficient as mono solar energy cells, but poly cells come at a lower price point.
- Thin-film cells can be poly or mono, but they are up to 300 times thinner than their rigid counterparts. Apart from obvious benefits of flexibility, thin-film panels can provide better low-light performance than rigid panels. However, they tend to be less efficient overall.
What Are the Benefits of Flexible vs. Rigid Solar Panels?
A typical monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panel is constructed of silicon wafers that are generally a bit thicker than a strand of human hair. Although it’s relatively thin, the layer is rigid and easily broken, requiring most solar cells to be protected with metals and glass casings.
Flexible solar panels belong to a family of solar products called “thin film panels.” Flexible panels are constructed with silicon layers over 300 times smaller than those of standard solar panels, allowing them to be flexed and still retain their functionality.
The greatest obstacle for flexible solar panels is that they’re much less efficient than rigid panels. Today’s average rigid solar panels are about 16-20% efficient. Thin-film flexible solar panels, however, are only 7-15% efficient, meaning you’ll need more of them to produce the same amount of electricity a rigid panel would produce.
Flexible solar panels probably won’t fit the bill for rooftop energy production, but they’re a great option for anyone needing lightweight and portable power. Durable and lightweight, flexible solar panels are ideal for small-scale, mobile applications such as for RVs, boats and other energy needs that don’t require large power outputs.
| Flexible Solar Panel Pros and Cons | Rigid Solar Panel Pros and Cons |
Pros:
| Pros:
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Cons:
| Cons:
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If you think a flexible solar panel is right for you, check out the five best flexible solar panels below.
Learn More About Purchasing Solar Panels
How Much Do Flexible Solar Panels Cost?
Flexible solar panel costs vary depending on size, quality, efficiency, durability, materials, capacity, features and even brand name. Ranging from $150 for a single 100-watt panel up to $1,000 or more for multiple-panel units, flexible solar panel options exist for any on-the-go need and budget.
At the end of the day, it’s not essential to buy the absolute best solar panels on the market, but we don’t advise trusting your off-grid power to any old cheap model you see on Amazon.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a Flexible Solar Panel?
Now that you’ve got an idea of how flexible solar panels work and the top models available, you may be interested in making a purchase. When you’re ready to buy solar panels, here are a few things to keep in mind to narrow down the best options for your power needs and budget.
Design and Size of Flexible Solar Panels
To start, determine the space you plan to place your new flexible solar panel. If it’s a relatively large space (an RV roof, for example), you’ll have more options to choose from. If it’s a small space or an irregular surface, you’ll want to look for more efficient, high-capacity panels.
You’ll also need to consider if the space you plan to install on is flat or curved and whether it contains obstacles or obstructions. The good news is a slightly curved surface is usually no problem for flexible solar panels. If your installation space has a pronounced curve, make sure you purchase a flexible solar panel with enough range of motion.
Wattage for Flexible Solar Panels
The higher a solar panel’s wattage, the more electricity it can produce under the same conditions. To accurately calculate how many solar panels you need, compare the daily output of the solar panel with the needs of the appliances or devices you want to power with solar energy.
Flexible Solar Panel Efficiency vs Standard Solar Panels
Overall, flexible panels are less efficient than rigid ones, but they do tend to perform better in low-light situations. If you choose a less-efficient panel like the flexible solar panels, you’ll need more panels to produce the same amount of energy a more-efficient panel would. Where you live also plays a role in solar panel efficiency. Check the Renewable Resource Data Center for sunlight information for states and major cities.
On avg a standard solar panel will produce 20% energy efficiency while a flexible one might produce 8% less than that. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but do expect to buy more flexible panels for the same energy output.
Installation Process for Flexible Solar Panels
Thankfully, flexible solar panels are extremely easy to install. Many flexible solar panels on the market come with adhesive backing and plug-and-play components, making it easier than ever to install your new solar system.
Durability of Flexible Solar Panels
If you’re in the market for a flexible solar panel, chances are you need it to stand up to the rigors of the road, water, or trail. Flexible solar panels are among the toughest options on the market, with most offering excellent weatherproofing, flexibility, and calculated construction to stand up to conditions a rigid panel wouldn’t.
Flexible Solar Panel Pricing
Cost is usually the limiting factor when choosing a flexible solar panel. If you’re looking for something to power small electronics or keep your batteries topped off, you don’t need to break the bank. For less than $250, you can get a ready-to-install kit ready.
But a bit more power comes with a larger price tag. Purchase only what you need, and scale up by stringing panels together or upgrading your system if your needs grow.
If you’d like to speak to a certified installer about flexible panels, follow the links below.
Related Articles:
- See How NASA Is Using Flexible Solar Panels to Cut Costs On Space Exploration
- Flexible Solar Panel Market Growth Set to Rise Significantly (+$17.69 billion) by 2027
- New solar materials developed by Stanford scientists could usher in ultrathin, lightweight solar panel
- Learn How the Military Is Lightening Soldiers’ Loads By Switching to Flexible Solar Panels
FAQs: Flexible Solar Panels
The EcoWatch team fields many questions from outdoors enthusiasts about flexible solar panels. If you have specific questions that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
Yes, modern flexible solar panels provide an excellent, durable alternative to rigid panels. They can take a beating, are adaptable, and provide ample power for small appliances and batteries. The only downsides are they are a little less efficient than rigid panels and might not last as long.
Generally, no, flexible solar panels do not last as long as regular solar panels. Rigid panels last anywhere from 25 to 40 years. Flexible panels maintain functionality for 15 to 25 years.
Most flexible solar panels can be walked on. Check with your manufacturer to see if your panel can be walked on, and if doing so voids the warranty.
The best flexible solar panels have a high degree of flexibility, durability, and low-light conversion. We recommend the Renogy 100W Flexible Solar Panel.
Comparing authorized solar partners
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Solar Services
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
-
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
A+Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, System Monitoring1985SunPower Panels25-year all-inclusive warranty
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