- Lower Efficiency: Flexible solar panels generally have significantly lower efficiency compared to traditional rigid panels. Their thin semiconductor film contains less material to convert sunlight into electricity, resulting in efficiencies often between 10-17%, whereas rigid panels typically range from 16-23%. This means flexible panels generate less power for the same surface area and are typically designed for low-wattage needs (50 to 300 watts) rather than whole-home power solutions.
- Shorter Lifespan and Durability: Flexible panels tend to have shorter lifespans, often around 5-15 years, compared to 25 years or more for rigid panels. The materials used in flexible panels are less durable, making them more prone to damage such as microcracks from bending or impacts. They also offer less protection against environmental factors since they lack the rigid glass casing of traditional panels.
- Take Up More Space: Because the photovoltaic layers are thinner and less efficient, flexible solar panels must be spread over a larger surface area to produce comparable power to rigid panels. This can be disadvantageous where space is limited.
- Installation and Heat Issues: Flexible panels are often adhered directly to surfaces without mounting brackets, losing the airflow underneath that helps keep rigid panels cool. This can lead to overheating, which reduces efficiency by 10-25%. Their lightweight nature also means they require very secure installation since they can be vulnerable to wind damage or detachment.
- Higher Cost and Long-Term Replacement: Although sometimes cheaper upfront, flexible panels cost more per watt generated due to lower efficiency and shorter lifespan, leading to higher replacement and lifetime costs. The technology and materials required for flexibility add to production costs, and the need for more panels to compensate for low efficiency further drives up expense.
In summary, flexible solar panels trade off power efficiency, durability, lifespan, and sometimes cost-effectiveness for their benefits of light weight, portability, and ease of installation. They tend to be best suited for portable or low-power applications such as RVs, boats, and camping rather than permanent home installations.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-main-disadvantages-of-using-flexible-solar-panels/
