As the name suggests, flexible solar panels can bend, while rigid ones are stiff to the touch. Traditional solar panels are constructed with a rigid aluminum case and covered with durable tempered glass, allowing light through and protecting the photovoltaic cells inside.
Many flexible solar panels weigh about five pounds versus around 40 pounds for rigid panels. Because of their lighter weight and smaller size, flexible solar panels are great for portable needs. Why do flexible solar panels fail?
The lack of space between the flexible solar panel and the roof means excess heat can build up, damaging the panel and shortening its lifespan. Overheated photovoltaic cells may lose up to 10-25% of their rated output, making them less efficient. The thinner silicone construction makes flexible panels less durable in the long run.
Flexible thin film panels are lightweight and durable and can be a great option, depending on your solar needs. To learn more about solar panel manufacturers focusing on flexible products, check out our company reviews on Sunflare and MiaSolé, two companies innovating in the flexible solar space.
They're typically up to 200 micrometers thick – slightly thicker than a human hair. To make a flexible solar panel, silicon wafers must be sliced down to just a few micrometers wide. These ultra-thin silicon wafers give solar panels many unique properties, including flexibility for some models.
The current flexible solar panels available to homeowners fall under the "thin film panels." A thin film solar panel is made with layers over 300 times smaller than standard silicon solar panels, giving them a much thinner profile and making them flexible.