| Flexible Solar Panels [message #264382] |
Thu, 16 October 2014 17:52  |
Kerry L
Messages: 3
Registered: August 2014
Location: United States
Karma: 0
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I have a 76 Palm Beach - It's been completely reconfigured - done by my Dad in his 'last good 9 years' as he once told my brother. I boondock in Quartzsite in it and am interested in flexible solar panels. Using the freestanding ones is tough for me as they are heavy (I have some physical limitations) and I'd have to have them ride on the bed at the back......not insurmountable either way - but the thought of riveting flexible ones on the curve - on either side - has a lot of appeal. I know folks who put solar on their roof pods - my Dad hated how the pod looked, so sold it - in fact I think maybe there were two - AND - he pulled the ladder off - it's in my garage.
Has anyone played around with these? Thoughts?
TIA
Kerry
Kerry L
'Desire' nee 76 Palm Beach
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| Re: Flexible Solar Panels [message #264388 is a reply to message #264382] |
Thu, 16 October 2014 19:48  |
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SeanKidd
Messages: 747
Registered: June 2012
Location: Northern Neck Virginia
Karma: 4
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I installed over 73,000 unisolar 144W panels on a single roof (5MW) largest rooftop array in North America they are 18" x 18' and only weigh about 18 lbs....the allure of thin film is that it is more efficient at lower sun angles, whereas mono and poly crystalline needs to be angled for best results. I have 2 of these panels and considering the same, however their length interferes with the plumbing vents. I have yet to drag them up on the roof to prove the interference. On another project we actually glues Velcro to them, and the roof (epdm) of anothe building in California, this made tha panels removable and therefore qualified as a equipment lease....they had to meet a high wind requirements. I would consider a structural adhesive and perhaps a edge treatment to ensure wind didn't get under the leading edge.
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.
Colonial Travelers
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| Re: Flexible Solar Panels [message #264395 is a reply to message #264382] |
Thu, 16 October 2014 21:26 |
Craig Lechowicz
Messages: 541
Registered: October 2006
Location: Waterford, MI
Karma: 0
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The folks at Technomadia (the couple that had done the series on lithium ion batteries a couple of years back) have been evaluating flexible solar panels for their GMC bus conversion. They aren't done yet, but when they are, I imagine they will do a note on installing them. If you are not in a hurry, might be worth keeping up with.
<http://www.technomadia.com/solar/>
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Flexible Solar Panels [message #264417 is a reply to message #264395] |
Fri, 17 October 2014 10:52 |
John Olson
Messages: 96
Registered: August 2013
Karma: 0
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AM Solar had initially found the flexi mono panels to be substandard due to
cells cupping under high heat which can leave light-blocking water spots
and also the outer covering allows scratches (and thus less light
transmission).
Just checked AM Solar again and they have now approved an upgraded version
of the flexi mono cells! Good short writeup of their findings of both
versions here:
http://www.amsolar.com/home/amr/page_258_20/flexible_100_watt_solar_panel.html
I'm looking to put at least one of these to our roof pod. Two will extend
over sides some, requiring some tricky additional support for the
cantilevered portions. At 5.5lbs (for upgraded version) may eliminate the
need to add structure to the pod. Thinking one on the roof pod and two
straddling the front roof fan.
John Olson
76 Edgemonte
Currently in Starved Rock St Park, IL. Moseying to TX, then west.
On Thu, Oct 16, 2014 at 9:26 PM, Craig Lechowicz
wrote:
> The folks at Technomadia (the couple that had done the series on lithium
> ion batteries a couple of years back) have been evaluating flexible solar
> panels for their GMC bus conversion. They aren't done yet, but when they
> are, I imagine they will do a note on installing them. If you are not in a
> hurry, might be worth keeping up with.
>
>
> --
> Craig Lechowicz
> '77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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John Olson
76 Edgemonte
Fulltime traveler
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| Re: Flexible Solar Panels [message #264441 is a reply to message #264388] |
Fri, 17 October 2014 18:11 |
Kerry L
Messages: 3
Registered: August 2014
Location: United States
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Thanks Craig! I've already learned things......I'm thinking my best bet is flexible panels, because they are light weight, on some backing that I can move around myself - freestanding will probably work the best if I can actually pick them up! Thanks again!!!!!!! Thinking cap is on!
Kerry L
'Desire' nee 76 Palm Beach
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