I’m not convinced that ‘flexible’ panels are a good longterm option- traditional panels have longevity in a 25-year range, yet that is my favored option for mounting to the top of my truck pop top camper for weight and clearance concerns.
Renogy 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Renogy has the advantage of a good warranty (Performance Warranty: 5 year 95% output warranty 10 year 90% output warranty 25 year 80% output warranty).
Is there a better choice? I’m not seeing much of advantage to the more expensive panels…
Another option. Overlander™ 130 Watt ETFE Semi-Flexible Solar Panel
The Overlander panels tout their usage of Sunpower Maxeon Generation III cells, but are more than double the price, and although an extra 60W would be nice, they do not have any warranty.
@nicklee, The Overlander panels sound like a much better option if they are using Maxeon cells. However, it is very concerning if they do not offer any warranty. You can tell if they are real Maxeon cells if no busbars are visible on the cell’s front surface. But, if the cells are encapsulated in cheap low material, then if could degrade and allow water ingress over time.
Renogy generally sources cheap Chinese made panels and rebadge them. I wouldn’t trust that any cheap, flexible panel will last more than 10 to 15 years without some sort of testing and verification.
I don’t have any experience with flexible panels so unfortunately I cannot give any recommendations.
Selecting flexible solar panels for your truck pop top camper is a critical decision. While flexible panels like the Renogy 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel offer advantages in weight and clearance, concerns about long-term durability are valid. Renogy’s warranty is a positive sign, but you might explore options from reputable brands like Goal Zero, HQST.
Renogy’s 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panels offer a good balance of performance, price, and warranty (up to 25 years). They’re lightweight and ideal for your truck camper, though they may not last as long as rigid panels. The Overlander panels provide extra wattage but lack a warranty and are much pricier, making Renogy a better overall choice for your needs.
You can tell if they are real Maxeon cells if no busbars are visible on the cell’s front surface. But, if the cells are encapsulated in cheap low material, then if could degrade and allow water ingress over time.