Flexible Solar Panel for RV
Living in remote outdoor locations and living off-grid is a mindset. It gives freedom.
Freedom from the monotonous daily grind, limited sky, caged world.
Going to a remote quiet location, away from hustle and bustle, provides that eternal freedom our souls always want.
Relaxing….
Freedom from worry….
It soothes our fatigued nerves….
It is rejuvenating!!!
Then, why carry the worry – that noisy, polluting, bulky generator when you go with your RV?
A flexible solar panel for RV can give you that extra PEACE OF MIND.
New trend of Flexible Solar Panels for RV
How nomadic by heart you may be, the reality is – you need minimum power to live the basic minimal life in remote locations. You need the power to charge your smartphone, laptop, camera, refrigerator, and electric heating plate. These appliances give you a rich experience while camping.
Earlier people carry a noisy portable generator in their RV for charging these devices. Generators are also polluting as they use conventional fossil fuels that affect our environment.
Gone are those days!
You can now use flexible solar panels for RV that are very lightweight and generate clean power to power your entire range of equipment.
There are several types of flexible solar panels in the market. However, the flexible RV solar panels from Sungold are unique. These panels use high-efficiency mono-crystalline cells and self-developed polymer composite materials that make these panels highly efficient, glass-free, flexible, lighter, and very thin. Conventional solar panels use glass and metallic frames that make them rigid and heavy which is not easy to fix on a curved surface like RV roof.
Before diving deep into the flexible solar panel world, understanding the difference in materials and construction between flexible RV solar panels and conventional rigid solar panels is essential.
What is the flexible TF series solar panel and why is it different?
The heart of a commercial solar panel is either poly or mono-crystalline silicon solar cells that convert sunlight to electricity. However, regular commercial solar panels are hard, rigid, and heavy. Two things make the conventional silicon cell solar panels rigid and heavy – glass and aluminum frames. These panels need glass and aluminum frames to protect delicate silicon cells from tough environmental factors like dust, rain, hailstorms, snowfall, or any physical abrasion.
The TF Series flexible solar panels use high-efficiency mono-crystalline silicon solar cells in their core, however, they do not use glass and aluminum frames. Instead, TF Series flexible solar panels use a self-developed polymer composite material. That makes these solar panels flexible, lighter in weight, and very thin. And very easy to fix on any curved surface like RV, boat, or yacht.
The unique characteristics that make the TF Series Flexible solar panel are:
- Usedexclusive patented polymer composite material,
- Flexible (minimum bending radius 1m, maximum bending 500),
- Lightweight(only 5 kg/m2),
- Can be very thin (as thin as 2 mm),
- Easily fit to any curved surfaces,
- Can be perfectly installed and adhered to various surfaces,
- Looks nice aesthetically.
Why choose flexible RV solar panels?
The TF Series flexible solar panels are specially designed for RV applications as these panels are very rugged and suitable for the toughest outdoor environment where the heat, cold, and wind pressure are extremely high. At the same time, it can withstand the salty environment inside the sea or on the beach without compromising its electrical performance. The following things make them extra rugged:
- IP 68 grade waterproof,
- Passed IEC61215 hail impact test,
- Passed IEC61215 PID test,
- IEC61215 thermal cycle testcertified,
- IEC61215 hot spot endurance tested,
- IEC61215 UV aging test
However, the flexibility of these panels sets them apart from rigid glass-topped, aluminum-framed panels. The flexible TF Series solar panels can be installed on a variety of surfaces, particularly on different kinds of curved surfaces. They can also be made in various sizes and shapes depending on requirements.
As they are light, flexible solar panels are used on the top of RVs, boats, yachts, tents, or any other surfaces you can think of. The Sungold TF series RV solar panels come in 50 watt solar panel, 100 watt solar panel, 200W solar panel, etc. to charge 12V batteries.
Advantages of flexible RV solar panels over commercial solar panels
For an RV owner like you, there are a few advantages to going for TF Series solar panels for your outdoor activities. The flexible solar panels for RV by Sungold are specially designed for RV applications. These are rugged, lightweight, flexible, and can be easily fixed on any surface without any external help.
The below table details the advantages of TF Series flexible solar panels compared to conventional rigid crystalline silicon solar panels.
| Factor | Flexible Solar Pnale | Conventional Solar panel |
| Ruggedness | Rugged since there is no glass to be broken. RV panels from Sungold are designed to withstand harsh conditions like extreme temperatures, heat dissipation, and wind resistance. | Not rigged since it has glass that can be broken in handling and transportation. |
| Applicability | Versatile as it can be installed on a variety of surfaces, particularly on CURVED surfaces. | Since they are rigid and have weight, these can only be installed on the roof or on the ground. |
| Weight | As they use ETFE films, they are very thin, light, and can be easily fixed on RV, Boat, and Tent. | They are 70% heavier than flexible panels as it contains glass and aluminum frame. |
| Durability | Extremely durable as they are impact-resistant and are less prone to physical damage. | Less durable for problems like microcracks due to any external pressure. Demands delicate handling. |
| Maintenance | Less maintenance since polymer composite materials that is self-cleaning. | Need regular maintenance, particularly cleaning of panels. |
| Aesthetics | Looks nice as it can be easily fixed on any contour. | Looks clunky if it is fixed on an RV or boat. Also needs a racking system that makes it more bulky. |
How to install flexible solar panels on RVs?
The flexible TF Series solar panels from Sungold solar panels are much easier to install than rigid solar panels. However, planning before installation on your RV saves time and effort. A few important factors to consider include:
Location of the solar panel: The flexible solar panel should be placed where adequate sunlight is available without any shadow. The panel should be easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance. Adequate ventilation is necessary to keep the panels cool so that they can generate maximum electricity.
Location of charge controller: The charge controller should be protected from direct sunlight, wind, and rain so that it lasts long.
Wiring Management: While installing a solar panel on an RV, good wiring management is a critical consideration that will make your solar panel installation more durable in the long run. Use wire conduits that can protect cables from UV light from the sun and are well-managed against insects and wind pressure.
The Sungold flexible RV solar panels can be easily installed on any kind of curved surface like the roof of an RV, boat, yacht, etc. Use any good quality double-edged adhesive tape or glue to fix the flexible solar panel on any surface. Depending on the necessity and the kind of roof, TF series flexible solar panels can also be screwed with the holes already left on the panel.
- First measure the place with a measuring tape and mark it before fixing the solar panels.
- From the front side of the solar panel, connect the positive and negative wires attached to the panel with the extension cables (positive and negative) with a suitable connector.
- Connect the positive and negative wires to the charge controller. Then connect the charge controller to the battery and the loads (lights, refrigerator, etc.)
- Your solar panels are ready to use.
1. Summary
The flexible TF Series solar panels are the best fit for the RV. Aesthetically, they don’t appear clunky and there is no possibility of panel fracture during shipping, installation, or transportation. Installation is simple and inexpensive because they do not require a racking system and external professional for installation as opposed to rigid panels. That makes the whole process much simpler and cheaper.
RV solar panels by Sungold are available in 55W or 290W capacities to meet the needs of RV owners. They come with a five-year warranty. If you are considering solar panels on your RV, then click here and leave your details. The Sungold team will understand your specific needs to provide you with the best solution.
