Best Flexible Solar Panels

Brunton 26 Watt Array on Sale Here

Brunton 26 Watt Solar Array Review

If you’re looking for a panel from a great brand that does it all, then this is the one you want.  Not only does this portable solar panel generate an impressive 26 watts of power, it does it for under $250.  Just in case you’re wondering, 26 watts is more than enough to charge any of your personal electronic devices — cell phones, laptops, Ipads.  Only a handful of panels offer this much power, and they’re pretty expensive.  26 watts for less than $250 is really a steal, especially from a reputable brand like Brunton.  They’re not just some noname company that makes crap equipment.  This unit folds up nicely into the size of dvd case and has a carrying case for easy transportation.  And it has a reverse flow protection system which is always nice, to makes sure you keep your gear protected.

Some Perks

1. Durability — One great thing about this personal solar panel is that it’s manufactured by a great brand, Brunton.  So not only should it not break on you or wear out quickly, but Brunton gives a 1 year warranty on this panel, meaning that if you somehow manage to get a faulty unit, you can return it for another one.
2. State of the Art Cells – Brunton uses state of the art High-performance CIGS solar cells, which are effective even in low light conditions.  That’s a real selling point, because even when the weather isn’t perfect, you can still expect a high power output from this unit.

Cost

For the money, it’s tough to beat this solar array.  Brunton is one of the leaders in durable, high output solar panels, and they’re usually a pretty expensive brand.  One of the reasons why I like this portable solar panel is that it should last for many years.  And as the power demands of our personal electronics grow, the 26 watts offered by this solar array should still be able to handle all your power needs.  As Ipads and other technologies continue to have high power demands, it’s nice to have a panel with extra juice that can handle the growing trend of high power usage devices.

Goal0 12301 Nomad Flexible Solar Panel on Sale Here

Goal0 12301 Nomad Portable Flexible Solar Panel Review

This is just an awesome portable, flexible solar panel for personal use.  The cost is right, the power, and the durability.  It’s smaller than comparable units, cranks out the same amount of juice, and it has all the nice accessories, including USB charging port and a port for a 12 volt cigarette adapter.  With decent sunlight, this flexible solar panel will charge just about anything smaller than an Ipad.  For those who own Iphones and needs lots of juice, this is probably the best, cheapest model that you can buy.  Though their website states that the Goal Zero Nomad may not work directly with an Iphone, testimonials say otherwise, with people reporting no problems hooking their Iphones directly into the charging port.  If, however, you do run into a problem, you can always just go through a battery charger first and then charge your portable devices.

The only con with this personal solar panel is that it takes a bit of time to warm up.  If you hook your phone or other electronic device to it and put the panel out in the sun, it may not start charging for fifteen minutes or so.  This makes it a bit difficult for people who are always on the go and thus, need a portable solar panel that works on the go with them.  But of the many testimonials I’ve read, the time to start charging is less than 15 minutes, usually around 5 before the trickle of power starts to flow.  Still, with a little bit of foresight, you can place the panel out in the sun for a bit before charging to make sure the panel is fully ready for when you need quick power.  The Goal0 12301 Nomad has gotten amazing reviews in testimonials.  Here’s what one user had to say about it:

Caleb R. Said:

This is bar none the best portable solar charger I’ve come across. It charges basically anything smaller than an iPad. I’ve charged countless toys in little amounts of time during hikes in / or fly fishing. Amazing piece of technology…

Click here to read the full testimonial

||Sunforce 22005 Flexible Solar Panel on Sale Here||

Sunforce 22005 12 Volt 6.5 Amp Flexible Solar Panel Review

Here’s another prime example in the world of portable, flexible solar panels.  This Sunforce pad yields an impressive 6.5 amps and 12 volts.  Well alright, that’s not really all that impressive, but it is considering that the pad is only $80.  Though I generally like more power from my portable solar pads, it’s hard to pass up a pad like this that’s so durable and inexpensive.  Depending on your needs, this pad will charge just about every personal electronic device you own, short of a laptop.  I really like this model not only because of how lightweight and compact it is, but also because it’s a 12 volt charger, making it useful for a lot of different technologies.

Durability

This flexible solar panel is obviously made with campers and backpackers in mind.  The material used in its construction is extremely durable.  Not only that, but Sunforce is a quality company, based out of Canada, and have awesome customer service.  They’re known for replacing defective models and models damaged excessively through normal wear and tear.  If you’re a camper or a backpacker and are looking for a quality flexible solar panel to carry around with you, this is definitely a good candidate.  This and the last portable solar panel we reviewed are both awesome for camping.  Check out both.  They’re both around the same price.  Here’s what one customer had to say:

J. Rush

I often go Gold & Gemstone hunting and use quite a bit of 12volt equipment, including a forgotten 12v cooler plugged into the dash. Upon leaving the car for a day to prospect a small stream, the cooler drained our battery dead. As the sun was setting we “tried it” and there was just enough charge to start us up and we drove the 12 miles out of the forest instead of having to walk it out for help.
Not only does the product work, but it has changed the way I think about solar energy…

Click Here to Read the Full Review

|| Powerfilm Personal Flexible Solar Panel on Sale Here ||

PowerFilm Personal Flexible Solar Panel USB AA Charger Review

The PowerFilm USB + AA charger is an awesome flexible solar panel in the world of AA battery chargers and USB chargers.  The great thing about this model is that it’s able to charge both types of applications, both AA batteries as well as USB devices.  It’s a solar charger for NiMH batteries, which come with the product.  And the cool part about this setup is that it can transform the voltage of the 2.4v NiMH batteries and ramp to 5v, which then allows you to charge a USB device once the batteries are charged.  That’s a really cool feature because as long as the batteries are charged, you can charge your USB devices anytime you want.  The solar panel charges the AA batteries in approximately 4 hours, so as long as you’ve given the charger enough time in the sun, you can then charge your USB devices anytime you feel like it.  Another great thing about this solar panel is how it folds up.  It folds up into a size that can actually be fit inside a pocket, which is pretty handy.

This particular flexible solar panel was most likely made with backpackers and campers in mind.  It probably isn’t the best pad for other applications, but if you’re a backpacker or a camper, you really can’t beat this model. It’s made of durable material that won’t get destroyed or damaged through normal wear and tear.  One of the worst things about flexible solar panels that are supposedly made for rugged use is that they often don’t stand up to the wear and tear they were designed for and get broken or beat up easily.  This model was built tough and can endure quite a beating.

Cost

This portable flexible solar panel is a great deal for the cost.  Ordinarily, the unit runs for around $135, but right now it’s on sale for just $85.  That’s a price that’s difficult to beat.  This is a very good entry level model for people who haven’t worked much with personal flexible solar panels before.  This model is fairly inexpensive and comes with a lot of accessories, including the two AA rechargeable batteries that are optimally suited to the solar pad.  For $85, you can have everything you need to be able to charge a lot of your personal devices in the great outdoors.

||The Samsonite Solar Backpack on an Amazing Sale at Amazon||

Samsonite 4.5 Watt 12 Volt Solar Backpack Review

This Samsonite 4.5 Watt 12 Volt Solar Backpack is definitely my favorite product in the world of solar backpacks.  A lot of people consider solar backpacks to be more of a gimmick than a real and viable product, and while there’s definitely something to their arguments because a mere 4.5 watts and 12 volts really isn’t all that impressive, it’s definitely better than nothing.  But the reason why I really like this Samsonite solar backpack is because they’ve really done their best to try and make a viable solar backpack.  As far as the quality and durability of the bag is concerned, Samsonite is one of the foremost makers of carrying cases in general, and the fabrics and materials used in this bag are of the highest quality.  Not only that, but Samsonite has integrated a large and efficient thin film flexible solar panel into the back of their backpack, able to charge personal electronic devices in just a few hours.

Cost

The thing that’s absolutely awesome about this solar backpack is the cost.  Right now it’s on a 55% off sale through Amazon, costing only about $135.  That’s nothing, considering that most high quality regular backpacks will cost around $100, and that’s without the solar panel.  At $135, if you’re considering buying a solar backpack, you definitely need to look more into this particular model.

Are Solar Backpacks Viable?

A lot of people think that solar backpacks in general are just a gimmick, not having enough power to really do anything.  While I would agree with them that many solar backpacks fit this description, I would have to dispute them in the case of this particular backpack.  There is at least one major use for this bag — college students.  A college student relies on their laptop.  So what happens if they have a busy class schedule and don’t have the time to walk all the way back to their dorm room between classes to charge it?  That’s where the solar backpack becomes extremely viable.  What if they could just walk around campus and set their backpack out in the sun while eating lunch, giving their laptop at least some chance of recharging for their afternoon classes.  The backpack might not be able to fully charge their devices, but since they have to buy a backpack anyway, how can you beat $135.

||Sun-Plugged 4 Watt Solar Backpack For Sale Here||

Sun-Plugged 4 Watt Solar Backpack Review

There are a lot of good things about this solar backpack.  Probably the best thing about it are the accessories that come with it.  This solar backpack comes with a USB power cord as well as adapters for the iPod/iPhone, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, LG, Samsung, mini USB & micro USB.  One of the big downfalls with a lot of solar panels is the lack of accessories.  For some reason that is beyond me, a lot of quality solar distributors are pretty stingy with the accessories.  Obviously they want you to have to buy their adapters and plugs to be able to fully use the solar panels to give you power, but this makes it especially difficult for the average consumer who isn’t very technical and doesn’t know about converting electricity from DC to AC and all the other things people often run into in the realm of solar.  That’s why I love seeing solar panels that come with a wide variety of accessories.  Beyond the adapters and USB power chord, this backpack also comes with a lithium ion battery, which is rare to see in personal thin film flexible solar panels.  They rarely supply you with the battery.

Power

Power is a bit of an issue with this model.  4 Watts isn’t very much generating power, and if you’re trying to recharge a laptop, you might find that it will take many hours of consistent sunlight to get the job done.  So if you’re a college student on the go who’s hoping to charge their laptop between classes while walking across campus or eating lunch, you might want to find a more powerful model.  In our next review, we’re going to cover the Samsonite solar backpack which is a bit more powerful of a model and is actually quite a bit cheaper right now while on sale.

Who this Backpack is For

If you’re someone who likes the idea of owning a solar backpack but aren’t especially technical and don’t want to buy an expensive backpack only to find out that you have to buy a handful of other accessories just to make the thing interface with your electronic devices, then this is the right solar backpack for you.  Because of the various accessories this backpack comes with, it’s perfect for the average consumer who doesn’t have a whole lot of experience with solar.  In fact, this backpack is probably a perfect introduction to solar if you haven’t ever really worked with solar before.

||The Brunton 14 Watt SolarRoll Flexible Solar Panel on a Great Sale Here||

Brunton SolarRoll 14 Watt Flexible Solar Panel Review

The Brunton SolarRoll 14 Watt panel is really first rate.  There’s a lot of reasons to really love this panel, but one main thing that may hold you back.  What’s that, you ask?  The cost.  Even on sale, this 14 watt personal solar panel is still over $300.  That’s a lot of expense to have to justify for a personal solar panel.  But in the world of rollable, personal solar panels, the Brunton 14 watt SolarRoll really can’t be beat.  Brunton is a very quality brand in the field of solar panels and for its size, pretty much nothing can beat it.  It’s a bit difficult to tell from the picture, but this solar panel is only 12  by 57  inches when unfolded.  That’s incredible, considering the fact that this little panel generates 14 watts.  Not only that, but the Brunton SolarRoll is created from extremely durable materials which are not only tough but also waterproof and UV resistant.  Another cool thing about the Brunton SolarRoll is that multiple rolls can be hooked together if more power is needed.

Cost

Cost is probably the biggest drawback of this particular model.  There are similar flexible solar panels that cost quite a bit less than the Brunton 14 watt SolarRoll.  Even on sale, this model costs just over $300.  It’s probably not for just the occasional user.  If you’re seriously considering buying this unit, you’re probably the type of person that’s going to use it a lot.  That being the case, you definitely can’t get a better portable solar panel than this.  Durability is the reason why we recommend this panel above others.  Flexible solar panels have the tendency to get damaged.  Trekking around in nature has the tendency to beat up equipment.  Buying a cheap flexible solar panel will probably come back to haunt you after about the 5th backpacking trip, when you find a tear in the unit and realize it no longer works.  If you’re an avid outdoors person and want a piece of equipment that’s of the best quality, then the Brunton SolarRoll is the one you want. There’s nothing like sitting on a park bench in the shade, while a small portable solar panel absorbs the sunlight just next to you powering your laptop, Ipad, or Ebook Reader, allowing you to sit back and enjoy yourself all day long.  This unit is on a great sale right now.  If you’re considering buying a personal flexible solar panel, then don’t miss out while the time is right.

||PVL136 Unisolar 136 Watt 24 Volt Flexible Solar Panel on a Great 50% off Sale Here||

PLV136 Unisolar 136 Watt 24 Volt Flexible Solar Panel Review

The PLV136 Unisolar flexible solar panel kit is a really first rate solar panel.  It’s exactly twice as powerful as the last Unisolar pad we reviewed, and almost exactly twice the cost.  The great thing about Unisolar is that they make solar panels for virtually every need.  This particular flexible solar panel has a high output of 136 watts and has the awesome peel and stick feature, making it perfect for RV’s and boats.  The PLV136 was built specifically to adhere to the surface of moving vehicles like RVs and boats, and will stay perfectly adhered even when moving at high speeds.  This solar panel can also be stuck to other surfaces, like rooftops or walls, and many homeowners love the fact that this particular solar panel is both powerful and super easy to install.

Installation

Because this flexible solar panel is a peel and stick model, it can literally be rolled out and stuck to just about any surface.  This makes installation a breeze, especially with all of the accessories that this kit comes with.  You get everything you need.  It’s almost as easy as peel, stick, plug in and go.  This product is made in the USA and made with the average person in mind.  This panel is perfect for people who don’t know a whole lot about solar, aren’t especially technical, but want to find ways to go green.

Cost

This peel and stick solar panel kit is on an amazing sale right now, 50% off it’s regular price.  For right around $500 you get everything you need for a really easy and powerful solar charging experience.  If you are an RV or boat owner, it doesn’t get much better than this.  You won’t find a better sale on peel and stick solar.

Bonus Features

The two things that I really love about this solar panel is 1) It’s almost invisible once installed.  This thin film flexible solar panel isn’t like a traditional solar panel that’s raised up off a rooftop.  This peel and stick model adheres directly to surfaces and is very thin, hiding its presence.  2) I love the fact that this solar panel comes with a 25 year usage warranty.  That’s incredible.  Thin film flexible solar panels have been known to not be as durable as traditional crystalline models.  To find a warranty that huge on a flexible solar panel is pretty amazing.  You’re not going to find very many warranties like this.

||Unisolar 68 Watt Flexible Solar Panel on a great 50% off Sale Here||

Unisolar 68 Watt 12 Volt Peel and Stick Solar Panel Review

We’re really excited about this peel and stick Unisolar flexible solar panel.  It’s so amazing that the days are now here when peel and stick solar is actually a viable technology.  Though many will balk at the low watt output of this solar pad, it has a lot of things going for it.  We’re not going to lie, 68 watts isn’t a huge amount of electricity.  But for the price, you aren’t going to find a better green source or energy.  This particular solar panel really appeals to RV and boat owners because it’s built to adhere well to the rooftop of an RV or a boat and won’t come loose when driving down the road, even at high speeds.  And installation is remarkably easy.  The awesome thing is this peel and stick solar kit comes with everything you need to give yourself solar power on the goal.  This makes installation a breeze, and for first time buyers of solar, you don’t have to scratch your head wondering what accessories you’ll need to buy in addition to your solar panel.  This isn’t a personal solar pad that you carry around with you to charge your personal digital devices.  This solar pad is meant to be rolled out onto either an RV rooftop or some other kind of permanent surface to start generating electricity.

Cost

To be honest, for the cost, right now the 136 watt peel and stick solar panel kit is on a 50% off sale, while this 68 watt kit is only on a 25% off sale.  That means for not much more money, you can get twice the power.  If I were you, I’d check the sales to see which peel and stick kit is on the best sale and then decide accordingly.  Both kits are made by Unisolar, which is well known for its quality flexible solar panels and thin film technology.  They’ve definitely created a models that are perfect for the casual green experimenter who wants to find ways to go green but doesn’t have the money or technical skills to both buy and install complex solar arrays.  If you own an RV or a boat, this unit is especially for you.  You aren’t going to find a flexible solar panel cheaper than this that still has a decent power output and easy installation.

For Home Use

If you’re thinking about buying one of these panels for home use, it’s definitely a viable option.  The great thing about this panel is the cost and the ease of installation.  If you want a truly no hassle flexible solar panel that’s cheap and easy to work with, then this is the right one for you.  This is a great starting place for people wanting to find ways of going green without needing a bunch of technical skills and don’t have a lot of cash.

||Sharp ND62RU1F 62-Watt Panel on Sale Here||

Sharp ND62RU1F 62 Watt Solar Shingle Panel Review

Though this isn’t strictly what you would think of when thinking of solar shingles or flexible solar panels, this Sharp 64 watt solar panel is more like a solar shingle array.  For now, since true solar shingles aren’t really available yet, this is about the best that we have.  The Sharp ND62RU1F is a group of solar shingles all arranged together.   This is both good and bad.  Having your solar shingles all arranged together like this makes it easier to install.  The downside is that it doesn’t blend in as well with the original roof as solar shingles are designed to do.  But I like this thin film solar panel a lot for a few reasons.  One is because of the ease of installation.  This panel is very lightweight and easy to install.

Balance of Factors

There is a balance of factors to consider whenever you’re trying to go green, whether solar or wind energy.  In my mind there are three factors to consider.  You want something that’s cost effective, you want something that’s easy to install, and you want something that looks nice.  That’s why I like this Sharp solar panel.  I feel like it blends those three factors nicely.  Not only is it pretty inexpensive, running at only $500, it’s very easy to install, requiring no roof mounting, and it blends in rather nicely with the rooftop.

Installation Issues

The only thing that you need to consider as far as installation is concerned is that because you don’t need to mount this solar panel to the roof, it changes your ability to tweak the angle of incidence to meet the suns rays.  If your roof isn’t oriented toward the sun very nicely, you might not get as much power as you were hoping for.  With traditional solar panels, you can change the angle because the panels are raised up off of the roof a bit.  This makes it easy to tweak the angle to more perfectly meet the sun’s incoming rays, giving you peak efficiency.  With solar shingles, you don’t have this option.  So make sure your roof is adequately angled to the sun before you purchase any kind of thin film solar shingle.