Review of Renogy 100w Monocrystalline Bendable Solar Panel

[@RenogySolar]

Thank you David for your thorough review! Glad you are enjoying our product. We will look into getting a wider variety in sizes. Thanks again!

[@SSBN506]

Thanks

[@joeo7257]

I checked your web sight for bendable panels. I didn't see any. Do you still make them, and where do I look for them?

[@mattbabecki6938]

These worked really well for Bayward Boondocker. I was checking out his van dweller videos and it looked really nice on his cargo van. He used a special way of securing them.. I forget the name of the device..

[@jeffreydeans7097]

I have two of these Renogy flexible panels on my Aliner Scout hard side pop up trailer (two roof sections, front and rear section raise into a "A" and then triangular side panels folded flat under the roof raise and lock into the raised "A" roof sections. I used 100 watt rigid panels for the first few months, but that was 40 lbs of weight on the front roof section and that made it difficult to raise the roof (which is manual, but spring assisted). So in March 2015 I ordered two of the Renogy flexible 100 watt panels and mounted them up. Total weight including the mounting system is 10lbs, its way easier to erect the roof compared to the rigid panels. Charging amperage is good, at 12 to 16 amps (MPPT charger) in good sun. But this past week I removed the panels so I could build a lightweight removable frame so that I could detach and put the panels into the sun instead of trying to maneuver (often by hand) the trailer's front roof section into the sun. And I noted a thin plastic layer is delaminating across the panels. I emailed Renogy and they offered rigid replacements or my money back. I have a set of rigids, and can't use them, they are too heavy. So I am stuck needing a lighter module, and these flexible panels seem to be not only the best, but the only option. But this peeling issue has scared me, I don't think its a shipping film delaminating, it could be a film to protect the plastic under the film from UV light. So far the panels are clear, no sign of fading or discoloration from sun exposure after almost exactly one years of use. If I take Renogy's refund and order a different brand of panel I will likely end up with the same panel, someone in China makes these panels and numerous marketers including Renogy resell them. Kudos to Renogy for backing these panels with a good warranty, but I am kind of stuck needing this type of panel and also scared of them at the same time.

[@SSBN506]

+Jeffrey Deans It looks like they are not be best for RV usage from what I have seen. I am going to do a follow-up review this summer when the boat is back in the water.

[@matgilan3764]

Maybe you could do a follow-up review on the durability of those panels and if you're still using them

[@boazila]

Hi David. Thank you for the review. What is the model for your LCD charge meter?

[@SSBN506]

It was included with my mppt charger. I did a video on it here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYXbl3qvaNFnlbc

[@NBraz]

Thumbs up Renogy!!

[@waderogers]

Hi David. I have my system hooked up now. I only have one 100W panel but will purchase another one in a month or two. Just wondering how this connects to your dodger. Looks like your canvas shop sewed some triangular patches on, right where the grommets are in the panel, but are their grommets on the dodger flaps with cordages/ropes coming out of them then thru the grommets on the panel? Can you do a short video of the mounting system or descript it to me in some detail? Thanks! Wade

[@SSBN506]

yes I can put up a video on the ayachment. But you are correct my canvas guy put pads under all grommets with line sewn into them. After two summers no sign of damage or where.

[@windflicks4385]

How did you run the wiring into the boat. I have a Catalina 309 and thinking of adding solar panels on the bimini.

[@SSBN506]

I have yet to properly run the wiring. For now I just tied it along Bimini to the Dodger then in the hatch. This summer I am going to properly wire it and will post info when I do.

[@waderogers]

+Greg M Greg, I ran mine from the dodger top, down into the cockpit then thru one of the cubby pockets in the cockpit, where you store winch handles. There's a 1" hole in the very far back part of the cubby, where it won't get rained on because once you unplug the MC4 connectors from the panel, their contacts are exposed to air and water. They're waterproof while plugged in but not while unplugged. I take the extra cable that goes up to the panel and tuck it back down the hole in the cubby pocket, which is right above a large cockpit locker.

[@wowa5514]

Is it worth it to buy a solar generator?

[@waderogers]

Good job on the video and the installation. Am curious about how this might work on my Catalina 27. I have two group 27 deep cycle batteries and live where we don't always get direct sunlight. I have a large area on my dodger where a panel like this would work or I can strap it to the foredeck. Do you think this would work for my needs? Also, I'm curious about the connection on the panel where the wires exit. I've heard that can be a problem area if it's not mechanically fixed to the panel. Any issues there? Thanks so much...

[@SSBN506]

Wade Rogers No problems yet with the connection and the entire setup survived 50+ knot winds and storm during witch we had two boats break away from moorings and ground. I was out of town so couldn't take my canvas down but she survived unscratched. It takes about two or three days to charge from 50% on my setup so works just fine where we are weekend sailors for now. I have 200 amp hour 6 volts wired to 12. Just don't forget a good charge controller. I have a overview of min on the channel.

[@waderogers]

+David Drysdale Thanks for your reply. I purchased a 100 watt panel, charge controller, and the MC4 connectors and wires. Am going to wire my 2 cat 27 deep cycle batteries in parallel this weekend. Here's an idea for your boom: lash it to either the port or s/brd side when not in use so it doesn't shade the panels or when motoring so the panels get as much sun as possible. Tie a line from the boom end to your toerail or lifeline.

[@SSBN506]

Glad it is going well wade Rogers. On the cat 30 the boom didn't go back as far as where I have the panel so no shadoes.

[@bigblockcutlass123]

how is it working today?

[@sultansulaiman6119]

Thanks for the video what is the capacity of the battery you used?? how long it takes to recharge 12v battery 80 amp??

[@SSBN506]

I have 220AH battery's. Their are a lot of factors on charge time but I would say it looks like around three days for 80ah.

[@salleyva98]

Is the diode box water proof?

[@SSBN506]

Yes but this panel is no longer sold from my understanding.

[@popeyegordon]

The problem with this install is when you do serious sailing in open ocean or you prepare for a hard blow it has to come down along with the canvas. Deck installed panels avoid this. Stern frame mounted rigid panels still have to come down in a blow too.

[@SSBN506]

Good point but of course may boat is a costal boat and if i went offshore would have more problems than just my solar panels.

[@popeyegordon]

I have a 100 watt aluminum backed panel as the integral roof panel on my solar/human powered hybrid car. It collects 100% of my daily power needs for transportation. When you mount with a bend they are de-rated a bit, I never get more than 90 watts. The trick is to live sustainably, using a vehicle that is appropriately light weight, mine weighs 160 pounds. 4000 pound steel caged climate controlled high speed lounge couches are never sustainable, they steal more than your fair share of resources from future generations.