Best Flexible Solar Panels For RVs and Camping

For an avid outdoor enthusiast, nothing beats the ability to carry your creature comforts with you during an extended RV trip, camping trip, or while on your boat.

Flexible solar panels allow you to power all your gadgets with clean energy deep in the wilderness, and it boils down to your ability to pick the best flexible solar panels to meet your off-grid needs.

Best Flexible Solar Panels

The best flexible solar panel is the Renogy 175W Extremely Flexible Solar Panel. The ultra-lightweight monocrystalline panel can withstand extreme weather and is optimized for performance and durability. Renogy 175W is compatible with RVs, Airstreams, boats, and permanent roof installations. We have also picked up 10 other flexible solar panels. They are,

#1. Renogy 175W Flexible Solar Panel – The Ultimate Winner

#2. Renogy 50W Monocrystalline – Best Portable Solar Panel

#3. Rockpals 60W Foldable Solar Panel – Value For Money

#4. Xinpuguang 100W Flexible Solar Panel

#5. TP-Solar 50W Flexible Solar Panel

#6. Dokio 100W Semi-Flexible Solar Panel

#7. Winnewsun 100W Flexible Solar Panel

#8. AllPowers 18V 12V 50W Flexible Solar Panel

#9. Giaride 50W Flexible Solar Panel

#10. Lensun 50W Flexible Solar Panel

If you want to know the in-depth details and reviews of the best flexible solar panels, keep reading!

#1. Renogy 175W Flexible Solar Panel – The Ultimate Winner

The Renogy 175W frameless panel is a clean energy powerhouse that uses superior monocrystalline cells for an efficient energy harvesting process.

The solar cells boast a bypass diode to prevent the panel from draining your batteries during cloudy days and improve performance in low light conditions. It also eliminates spot heating when only a section of the panel is exposed to the sun.

The highly efficient solar cells are ensconced in multiple layers of laminated sheets to optimize performance and longevity. The hardy and durable panel comes with a corrosion-resistant yet flexible aluminum frame that will serve you for decades.

The superior construction makes it weather resistant and allows for all-year-round usage. Since it’s hardy, weather-resistant, and durable, the solar panel lends itself to temporal and permanent installation.

It boasts a temperature range of -40°F to 194°F / -4°C to 90°C, which lets it deliver optimal inclement weather performance.

With proper attachment, the solar panel can handle snow loads of up to (5400Pa) and shrug off high winds (2400Pa) while perched on the roof of your off-grid home.

Versatile and dynamic, this solar panel works with both on-grid and off-grid inverters, which increases its scope of application.

Weighing a mere 6.2 pounds (2.8 kg), the solar panel is 70% lighter than standard solar panels. At 0.08 inches thick, it’s also 95% smaller than them and can bend to a remarkable 248° curve. Coupling these three factors gets you the perfect top-mounted solar panel for your motorhome, boat, airstream, or golf cart.  

Each solar panel ships with pre-drilled holes to allow for fast installation on any surface. It’s also compatible with Renogy mounting systems such as tilt mounts and z-brackets when installing it permanently.  

You only need silicone structural adhesive to attach this innovative, flexible solar panel to the roof of your motorhome.

Overall, Renogy 175W Solar Panel is a great choice for RVs, Boats, and outdoor activities. It gives you enough power and weighs only 6 pounds and priced reasonably well.

PanParks

#2. Renogy 50W Monocrystalline – Best Portable Solar Panel

If you run a rig with modest power needs, you can’t go wrong with the Renogy 50W Monocrystalline Flexible Solar Panel capable of 50 watts. As with all solar panels from Renogy, it boasts a superior build and is extremely flexible and thin.

Standing at only a tenth of an inch high and weighing just under three pounds, this panel fits perfectly on a teardrop trailer or an Airstream. It bends up to 248° degrees, allowing it to frame the curvatures on these trailers seamlessly.

Since it weighs up to four times less than the traditional panel, the Renogy 50W monocrystalline solar panel can’t compromise the integrity of your motorhome’s roof.

Superior construction allows the ultra-thin panel to withstand strong winds capable of 2400 Pa and handle a snow load of up 5400 Pa.

Should your power needs increase in the future, you can simply buy another set of Renogy boards and hook them up. This solar panel supports series and parallel connections to let you generate as much clean energy as you need to power your home.

Renogy 50W Monocrystalline is an excellent choice for first-time solar panel buyers, as it gives you the flexibility to add more in the future.

#3. Rockpals 60W Foldable Solar Panel – Value For Money

The Rockpals foldable solar panel is the ultimate companion for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy camping. Since it uses monocrystalline technology, you can expect a 21.5% to 23.5% solar energy conversion rate from this unit.

The foldable solar panel is designed to ensure that you never run out of power during an outdoor expedition. It’s compatible with many solar generators, batteries, and power stations and connects directly to your smartphones and tablets.

Rockpals understand that time is of the essence, and it comes with 3 USB charging ports to let you connect multiple smart devices simultaneously.

Each panel is fitted with an intelligent chip to optimize the charging speed of each device. The chip adjusts the current flow to your smartphone according to the level of sunshine available. In full-strength sunlight, the panel can charge your devices up to four times faster without the risk of overheating or overloading.

Rockpals 60W Foldable Solar Panel also comes with three DC ports to let you hook up solar generators and battery packs with different voltages.

Since it’s made for adventure, the Rockpals solar panel folds into a briefcase for easy transportation. Since it weighs only 10.8 pounds (4.9 kg) and folds down to 13.78 x 13.9 x 1.8 inches (35 x 35.3 x 4.6 cm), you can sling the magazine-sized panel on your backpack.

The solar panel absorbs solar energy as you hike to your camping site to save you valuable time and ensure that you never run out of power.

It has an operating temperature range of 0°F to 120°F ( -17.78°C to 48.89°C) and comes with a water-resistant cover that let’s deliver optimal performance in all weather. Please note that the junction box on this solar panel isn’t waterproof, so you must always keep it dry.

The solar unit ships out with a solar charger and three DC adapters, which means you can use it right out of the box during your camping trip. The Rockpals 60W foldable solar panel comes with a 12-month warranty.

#4. Xinpuguang 100W Flexible Solar Panel

While the name might be a mouthful, the Xinpuguang 100W solar panel packs a punch and delivers optimal performance in low lighting conditions. The solar cells comprise superior monocrystalline cells with a conversion rate of 19.6%.

This solar panel uses innovative encapsulation material to create multiple protective layers around the solar cells to enhance cell performance and increase longevity.

As is the case with most frameless solar panels, this ultra-lightweight panel lends itself to rooftop mounting for boats, carts, and motor homes. It weighs 4.4 pounds (2 kgs), making it 80% lighter than the traditional panels. It’s also 3 mm (0.1 inches) thick and can bend to a 30 to 40° curve when you need to install it on the sloping roof of an RV or uneven surface of a log cabin.

Superior construction technology makes the solar panel hardy and durable in outdoor usage. It can withstand extreme temperature, high wind pressure, and heavy snow loads.

You can trust the IP67-rated junction box with a silicone seal to deliver a weatherproof performance even in the worst of rainstorms.

Pre-drilled holes with stainless steel grommets make for easy installation. You can attach the unit with double-strength zip ties, adhesive, cords, and more.  

The Xinpuguang 100W solar panel ships with multiple accessories:

• A 20A charger controller
• A 3 meters extension cable with a PV connector
• A 3 meters cable with an alligator clip
• A 2-in-1 parallel connector

#5. TP-Solar 50W Flexible Solar Panel

The TP-Solar frameless panel couples monocrystalline cells with unique back contact technology to deliver exceptional performance.

The panel harnesses the innovative technology to remove electrodes from the solar cells, which allows them to operate at full capacity. That allows for efficient energy harvesting, even in low light conditions. The panel converts up to 50% more solar energy than the standard solar panel.

Despite standing at 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) and weighing 4.15 pounds (1.88 kg), this panel is crafted for the outdoors. It boasts superior build quality and comes with a sealed, waterproof junction box. An internal blocking diode prevents current from draining to the panel from the cells at night.

A bypass diode eliminates power loss when parts of the panel are exposed to shade and optimize performance in low light conditions.

Since it comprises water-resistant materials, the unit can remain outdoors all year round without a significant drop in performance.

The panel bends to a 30° arc to facilitate installations on curved and irregular surfaces found on trucks, roofs, trailers, and tents.

While this TP-Solar panel is best for charging a 12-volt battery, you can hook up a couple of TP-solar panels to increase power generation when you need to power 24V and 48V batteries.

You need not worry about the batteries’ negative drain since the panel has a controller to protect your batteries. You can also connect the solar panel to a solar controller for additional peace of mind.

Each TP-Solar panel has four pre-drilled holes fitted with stainless eyelets for easy installation. You can use fast and cheap mountings such as zip ties, double-sided tape, or Velcro for non-permanent installation.

#6. Dokio 100W Semi-Flexible Solar Panel

Dokio semi-flexible solar panel uses monocrystalline solar cells to generate clean, renewable power to meet your off-grid needs. The solar cells are enhanced for performance in low light conditions to ensure that you never run out of solar energy during the rainy seasons.

Since the panels are semi-flexible, they are optimized for both flush and curved surfaces installations. You can take them on the road by installing them on your RVs, campers, trucks, and even golf carts.

These ultra-light panels weigh 4.9 pounds (2.2 kg) and are also ultra-thin at 0.1 inches (2.5 mm) thick. Therefore, they won’t make any unsightly bulges that would ruin the aesthetics of your airstream or interfere with your RV’s fuel consumption.

They also fit nicely on the irregular surface of your roof if you’re looking to reduce your reliance on the power grid. The panel curves to a maximum of 30° angle to allow you to store and install the units in tight or crowded spaces.

The solar panel and the junction box are wholly water-resistant to let you use the solar panel in all weather conditions. That means you can install these handy panels on your boats and enjoy limitless creature comfort as you travel the seas.

Since they’re lightweight, these panels are easy to transport, mount, dismount, and stash away when not in use. Each unit comes with six pre-drilled holes fitted with eyelets for easy installation. You can use a variety of fasteners, including adhesive and Velcro.

#7. Winnewsun 100W Flexible Solar Panel

Winnewsun solar panel stands a cut above the rest of the solar panels in this review because of its innovative build. It uses monocrystalline bifacial to generate power from both sides, with a cell efficiency of up to 22%.

You get the equivalent of two solar panels for the price of one since both sides of this twin to have the same power generating capacity. Place the panel on a shiny white surface to ramp up energy generation by the underside.

The manufacturer tested various bases and found that performance varied between them. A white lacquer surface generates 27% more power; cement 20%; grass 15%; Sand 16%; soil 14%.

A reflective surface allows the board to absorb more of the sun’s energy, which ramps its ability to generate more power.

This will work on cloudy and rainy days thanks to its sensitivity to light in low light conditions. The unique bifacial crystals allow the units to withstand extreme weather without compromising its integrity and power delivery.

The solar panel weighs 4 pounds (1.8 kg) and is crafted to complement the outdoor lifestyle and off-grid living. You can use it to power your solar system power kit, camper, RV, trailer, or boat. Its flexible nature and 1.5 inches height allow the panel to fit snugly on curved and irregular surfaces.

Superior engineering ensures the Winnewsun solar panel delivers stable power performance for many years. After ten years, the panel only loses 3% of its power generation capacity. That way lower than the industry standard, which stands at about 10% per decade.

#8. AllPowers 18V 12V 50W Flexible Solar Panel

The AllPowers frameless solar panel comprises monocrystalline cells with an ultra-high efficiency level of 23.5%. Thanks to its superior build and quality materials, it outclasses most other panels on the market.

Superior construction technology makes the panel water-resistant and can weather the four seasons without sustaining water damage. They make a perfect choice when looking to supplement your home’s power source following a storm.

It can bend 30° for easy installation on a curved surface such as those found on RVs, Airstreams, and campers.

It is lightweight; the panel weighs 2.4 pounds (1.09 kg) and so won’t damage or dent the roof of your camper. You can take it with you on the road in your camper or RV, then install it on the cabin’s roof once you get to the off-grid site.

A portable solar panel saves you money and improves your quality of life. For instance, you can keep your food and drinks cold in the RV as you make your way to a campsite that’s thousands of miles away.

AllPowers solar panels are easy to install and won’t take more than a few minutes to mount and dismount.

The frameless panel comes with pre-drilled holes fitted with stainless steel grommets for easy installation and takedown.

AllPowers 50W solar panel comes with an 18-month guarantee, and you can hit up the friendly customer service if you have any issues.

#9. Giaride 50W Flexible Solar Panel

Giaride 50W Flexible Solar Panel Review

Giaride is a superior solar panel made of monocrystalline cells with a solar energy conversion rate of 22%. It boasts surge and short-circuit protection to increase its lifespan and deliver an incredible daily performance.

The monocrystalline cells are encased in multiple laminated protective layers to make the solar panel water and dust-resistant. The panel features a waterproof junction box to deliver a stellar performance in all weather conditions.

It is the best choice for homeowners living in inclement weather areas. The hardy and durable solar panel can withstand hailstorms, heavy snow loads, and strong winds. The unit can withstand a hail impact of 1 inch (2.5 cm), traveling at a speed of 52 mph (84 kph), despite weighing 2.32 pounds (1.1 kg).

The panels are optimized for performance in low light conditions, which keeps your batteries from running out during the rainy seasons.

The Giaride solar panel can accommodate a 30° curve, giving multiple mounting options. You can install bendable solar panels on the roof of your boat, motorhome, tent, or even a golf cart.

This solar panel is ultra-lightweight at 2.32 pounds (1.1 kg), making for easy transportation, installation, removal, and storage.

It comes with pre-drilled holes encased with stainless steel eyelets for quick setup. You can use Velcro, adhesives, tape, or grommets to fix this solar panel on any surface.

Gairide 50W bendable solar panel is a superior quality product that comes with an 18-month warranty.

#10. Lensun 50W Flexible Solar Panel

Lensun 50W Flexible Solar Panel Review

Lensun is an excellent solar panel made of superior-grade monocrystalline solar cells that deliver a 21% solar energy conversion rate. Using these to power your RV ensures that you never lack clean, renewable energy.

Since it’s made from Japanese ETFE film, this solar panel comes with superior light transmittance and long lifespans. Unlike the standard PET film, ETFE film boasts self-cleaning capabilities, allowing for daily stellar performance.

You can trust the Lensun bendable panel to harness some solar energy, even on rainy and overcast days. Coupling this panel with good solar batteries ensures that you’ll never run out of power while living off the grid.

A fiberglass back sheet allows maximum heat distribution to keep the unit from overheating even on the hottest days. Overheating lowers the panels’ output and could leave you with dead batteries in the dead of night.

The ETFE film and the fiberglass back sheet allow the Lensun solar panel to withstand extreme weather conditions without a drop in performance. It also lets the unit run maintenance-free for many years, offering you excellent returns on your investment.

Homeowners looking to secure their power supply during a raging storm or a full-blown hurricane can benefit from installing this hardy and durable solar panel.

The solar panel is perfect for seafarers because it boasts the unique ability to resist seawater corrosion. It also comes with a high fire retardancy and won’t pose a fire hazard to your property.

You can also buy multiple 50 Watt or 100 Watt and combine them to generate 300 Watt or 400 Watt or 500 Watt power.

Factors to Consider When Buying Flexible Solar Panels

Having a steady supply of solar power is essential when living off the grid, taking an extended RV trip, or going out into the ocean in a Boat. As such, it is crucial that you outfit your rig or home with the best bendable solar panels from the outset.

Here is a list of the essential factors to consider when shopping around for a flexible solar panel:

Build Quality of Flexible Solar Panel

Considering solar panels’ crucial role in ensuring a steady power supply while living off the grid, build quality matters significantly. You’re better off with a superior product that helps you harvest as much energy as you need from the sun.

• Read more about Types of Solar Panels & How does a Solar Panel Work?

Portable and flexible solar panels fall into two broad categories:

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

These are premium solar products with a high solar energy conversion efficiency, greater than 20%, and sleek aesthetics; the name Monocrystalline references the fact that the panels are made from pure, single-crystal silicon. High purity levels form the basis of their high solar energy conversion efficiency, distinct black color, long lifespan, and rounded corners.

To make monocrystalline solar cells, silicon is shaped into bars and then cut into small wafers. Since each section comprises a single crystal, the electricity generating electrons have a bigger surface that allows them to move more.

Polycrystalline Solar Panels

These panels have a lower solar energy conversion efficiency, about 15%, and carry a lower pricing point. Unlike the black monocrystalline panels, polycrystalline panels are blue. They have a lower lifespan since they’re susceptible to high temperatures.

Although made from silicon, the polycrystalline solar panel product process entails melting raw silicon to form wafers. The name signifies that each solar cell contains numerous crystals, which can also be referred to as multi-crystalline cells.

The presence of multiple crystals in a cell restricts electrons’ moment, leading to lower energy conversion efficiency.

The lifespan of the Flexible Solar Panel

The standard monocrystalline solar panels have a lifespan of more than 25 years, but the lifespan drops drastically for flexible solar panels. Due to their small size, bendable solar panels lack the protective aluminum and glass casing.

Instead, flexible solar panels are covered in polyester-based plastic, PET, fluorine-based polymer, EFTE, and laminates. These coatings cover and protect the solar cells from damage and extreme weather conditions.

The type of protective covering also influences the longevity of a flexible solar panel. A PET laminated solar panel has a lifespan of 5 years, while a cell laminated with ETFE can last for up to 10 years.

The efficiency of the Solar Panel

While a flexible solar panel’s efficiency covers many aspects, its charging efficiency should be your primary concern. You want a model that can charge your devices quickly and efficiently. Such a panel harvests sufficient sunlight to recharge your solar batteries and provides you with a reliable solar energy supply.

Monocrystalline solar panels tower over other varieties due to their high conversion rates and harvest solar energy in low light conditions. They will ensure that you never run out of power during overcast days or when it’s pouring.

Portability of the Solar Panel

Unlike their bulky cousin, flexible solar panels are designed for portability and convenience. You can affix these solar panels to the roof of your home, car, motorhome, golf cart, or even your tent.

Bendable solar panels are easy to install and take down, allowing multiple uses. Most frameless panels ship with pre-drilled holes with stainless steel eyelets for easy setup. You can fix them on your RV, sailboat, or trailer roof with Velcro, double-strength zip ties, or durable cords.

Conclusion of Flexible Solar Panels

Flexible solar panels are an excellent way to power an off-grid lifestyle or as a backup power source in your home. The best frameless panels are made of monocrystalline solar cells and have a conversion efficiency higher than 20%.

The flexible nature of a frameless solar panel allows for seamless installation on otherwise tricky surfaces. You can secure them on the sloping roofs of RVs, the curved surfaces of an airstream, or the uneven roof of a cabin roof.

These panels come in various wattage classes to suit different power needs and can power a broad range of electrical devices.

Our Old Top Ten Picks are,

1. #1. Renogy 175W Extremely Flexible Solar Panel – The Ultimate Winner
2. #2. Renogy 50W Monocrystalline Flexible Solar Panel – Best Portable Panel
3. #3. Rockpals 60W Foldable Solar Panel – Value For Money
4. #4. Xinpuguang 100W Flexible Solar Panel – Excellent 100 Watt Panel
5. #5. TP-Solar 50W Flexible Solar Panel – Best Budget Panel to Buy
6. #6. Dokio 100W Semi-Flexible Solar Panel
7. #7. Winnewsun 100W Flexible Solar Panel – High Efficiency
8. #8. AllPowers 18V 12V 50W Flexible Solar Panel
9. #9. Giaride 50W Flexible Solar Panel
10. #10. Lensun 50W Flexible Solar Panel

External References for further reading.

• Green Match: Types of Solar Panels
• Energy Sage: Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels: what you need to know
• Solar Magazine: [Comparison] Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels
• PV Education: Bypass Diodes
• Energypedia: Solar Cells and Modules
• Solar panels by Tesla
• Guide to Build Lightweight Solar Panels