Best Flexible Solar Panels For RVs Reviewed For 2021

Are you looking to buy flexible solar panels for RVs? We reviewed the best options out there to save you dozens of hours of research.

The best flexible solar panels for RVs are:

We’ve reviewed different flexible solar panels for different circumstances with your RV. TO learn more details about each option, keep reading.

What Are Solar Panels?

Solar panels show how advanced today’s tech is – using a source of renewable, almost infinite energy to power everyday devices. The great thing about it is that you are completely capable of buying and installing a solar panel on your own nowadays.

Solar panels can be a great source of auxiliary power when you’re supposed to charge your phone, laptop, camera, etc. And they’re usually not expensive.

If you’re RV living, then you’re trying to save every buck. Therefore, why should you use your RVs electricity when you have devices that will transform sunlight into electricity – for free! There are even portable solar panels available to take off grid.

This is exactly what we’ll be taking a look at in this article: what solar panels are best, how to choose the right solar panel for you, and then we’ll list the best flexible solar panels for RVs. Let’s get started.

Three Advantages of Using Solar Panels

Firstly, let’s talk about what makes a solar panel good. It’s three things: efficiency, size, and placement.

Let us talk about placement first as you are the only one who can decide where to place your panel, so it’s fully accessible to the Sun. That’s it, not much about it. The better the placement, the more power it will collect.

Efficiency is the deciding player that separates the really good solar panels from the average or the bad ones. Efficiency defines how much sunlight does a panel need to create a certain amount of electricity.

If you take two panels and expose them to the same amount of sunlight for the same amount of time, the more efficient panel will be the one that’s produced more electricity. You should also know about panels’ overall efficiency because they can’t collect 100% of the sunlight that they face.

They can usually only absorb about a quarter of that energy, with the best solar panels absorbing 23% or more. Lower quality solar panels absorb about 20%.

Last but not least is the size. This is pretty simple to understand – the greater the size of the area exposed to the Sun, the more electricity it will produce.

How Are Flexible Solar Panels For RVs Made?

Solar panels are usually created from one of three materials. Monocrystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous silicon.

If you are looking for classic solar panels, you must opt for Monocrystalline and polycrystalline. With monocrystalline being much better and much more efficient (and also much more expensive).

Amorphous silicon is less efficient than monocrystalline, but it’s very flexible, portable, and sustainable. However, due to its efficiency, it’s also cheaper than monocrystalline panels.

How To Choose Flexible Solar Panels For RVs?

It’s important to gauge how much power you will need properly. You don’t want to buy a solar panel that’s not producing enough power for your needs. Moreover, you do not want to do the opposite and buy a panel that produces power in excess, which means that you’ve poured money down the drain.

You can find the wattage of the solar panel in the product’s description.

These panels are great because they’re giving you the flexibility and freedom to move around wherever you’d like. Moreover you’re not completely dependent on the electric network.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the best flexible solar panels for RVs.

Best Overall Flexible Solar Panel For RVs

Renogy 160W 12V Flexible Solar Panels for RV

Renogy is a company that gained a lot of attention for their solar panels, not just RV panels, but panels for camping, boating, etc.

This solar panel is sure to grab your attention for various reasons.

First and foremost, because of its incredible flexibility. The flex range of this solar panel is 248 degrees, making this panel capable of meeting a wide range of applications where standard panels can be inconvenient to mount, such as on the curved roof of an airstream.

The fact that it’s so flexible makes this panel truly one of a kind and will make every buyer think twice before purchasing something else.

It’s also super light. The polymer materials that are at use with this panel are the ones to take responsibility for that. This product weighs 70% less than conventional solar panels, making transportation and installation a breeze.

This will also be very important with storage, as you’ll want to save on space once you take them down (if you ever decide to).

What’s also interesting about this panel is that it’s so thin – Renogy 160W Lightweight Panel is only a tenth of an inch thick. Approximately 95% thinner than its rigid counterpart, this panel is ideal for a stealthy solar setup. This makes it very discreet and very thin, and this is also good for cooling.

Solar panels become less efficient once they heat up, and the fact that this solar panel is so thin will help with it cooling down.

It is also very durable. The rigorously tested design of the 160W panel can easily withstand extreme wind of up to 2400Pa and snow loads of up to 5400Pa. Monocrystalline 18.4% bypass diodes minimize power drop caused by shade and ensure excellent performance in low-light environments.

In your search for the perfect panel, you’re going to come across a lot of panels that can’t produce power if there’s no direct sunlight. This is a major drawback for those panels, but that isn’t the case here, as this panel can collect power even during cloudy days.

According to the manufacturer, you can primarily use this solar panel on off-grid applications that include rooftop, RV, boats, and any curvy surfaces. It weighs only 6.2 pounds, and it’s 59.2 inches long by 26.5 inches in width, making it large enough for anyone’s needs.

The junction box on these flexible solar panels for RVs are completely waterproof and protect you against any short circuits.

The maximum system voltage for this system is 600 VDC, whereas the optimum operating voltage is 19.1 V. The optimum operating current is 8.38A, with the open-circuit voltage being 23 V and the short circuit current being 8.88A.

All in all, this is a great product if you’re looking to get an all-rounder.

Best Budget Option Flexible Solar Panel For RVs

ALLPOWERS 100 W ETFE Flexible Solar Panels For RVs

So, you need to buy a solar panel for your RV, but you’re on a budget. Not
to worry, ALLPOWERS has the solution for you.

This flexible solar panel will attract you with its efficiency as it has
high conversion, up to 20.5%. It uses an ETFE layer, and you will get greater power efficiency even though the panel is no larger than a traditional one.

According to the manufacturer, the advanced lamination of ETFE keeps it relatively free from maintenance, and the membrane is likely to last about 25 years.

The flexible solar panels for RVs pack a punch, without a doubt. 100 Watts of power is a lot, and it should be enough to power all your devices. This doesn’t affect the weight of your panel, as it weighs just a little bit over 4 pounds.

This makes it easy to transport, hang and remove from your RV, and its design is completely frame-less. The four reinforced metal holes assure easy installation.

The plastic back sheet can be curved to a maximum 30-degree arc and mounted on an RV, boat, cabin, tent, or any other irregular surface. This sheet makes the panel very flexible, and you’re able to bend it and adjust it to any surface you need.

One of the biggest issues users constantly complain about when discussing flexible solar panels for RVs is bend-and-crack damage. This solar panel dons advanced coating, making it much sturdier and much longer-lasting than other panels.

Are you going to travel with your home? In that case, the durability of your panel will present a very important factor when choosing the right flexible solar panel for RV.

This panel is also resistant to corrosion and high temperatures. High temperatures have a negative effect on solar panels, as they become less effective. This won’t be a problem with this panel.

They’re also water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry that you’re going to damage them if you’re washing your RV. The rugged surface used on this panel takes full advantage of the sunshine, ensuring efficiency at the highest level.

This panel is also much thinner than other panels on the market. You don’t have to be an engineer to set this panel up, and you don’t have to be afraid of breaking it, as it’s very flexible and rugged.

This is definitely a great choice if you’re buying on a budget. You can also install it as an emergency countermeasure, not as your main source of power – this panel is very versatile, and you can utilize it as you’d like.

What’s great about it is that the manufacturer is offering an 18-month
warranty on it, so you can get a new one if it breaks.

Best Small Flexible Solar Panel For RV

BougeRV 100 Watt

This panel will be a great choice for you if you don’t have too much room in your RV. You’re going to fall in love with this 41 inches by 21 inches sized panel, which weighs only 5.7 pounds.

It’s amazing, as it can work at extremely low temperatures, from -40 degrees Celsius, up to 80 degrees Celsius.This panel is different from others, as the manufacturer has increased the number of strands connected between the cells to make them stronger and tighter.

For the main customer complaint point on the market, the manufacturer has made a thickening process on the surface and bottom of the solar panel. This can reduce cell breakage during use with guaranteed power, and extended life.Otherwise, it is difficult to avoid solar panels burning out or not working by continuing to use other panels.

This panel is also incredibly efficient, as it uses between 23 and 25 percent of sunlight, which places it amongst the most efficient panels out there. It also has an internal blocking diode, which prevents reverse current drain at night. This offers a lot of utilization for your money, as the cells are highly efficient.

This solar panel for RV is bendable, and you can mount it on a curved roof, RV, travel trailer, a van, a truck, a boat, a cabin, a tent, or any other irregular surface. The panel can stand up to hard travel and rough use.

It’s very easy to install. Firstly, the size is very compact – it doesn’t take much room, and it can fit almost anywhere. Secondly, the unique frame-less design features three metal reinforced mounting holes at each corner for fixing screws. This makes it very easy to set up, transport, hang and remove.

You also get a user manual to make sure that you don’t make a mistake during the setup. The unique light-trapping surface grabs more power; the ETFE material makes this solar panel even more efficient. While the solid copper foundation adds massive strength, and the ultra-pure silicon delivers optimal power conversion.

The optimal power for this solar panel for RV is 100 Watts (+/- 5%), with the working voltage being 18V and the working current being 5.62A. The short circuit current is 5.97A, and the open-circuit voltage is 21.6V.

The manufacturer suggests that if you’re going to use the panel on a flat surface, like a roof or a deck, stick it tightly to the surface to avoid falling off.

There’s also a layer of protective plastic on top that’s there to protect the panel – this plastic may fall off with time (due to wear and tear), this is normal, and it won’t damage the panel.

Most Flexible Solar Panel For RVs

Renogy 100 W Monocrystalline Flexible Solar Panels for RV

This solar panel is definitely going to impress you with its flexibility. This makes it ideal for use on smaller dwellings, like RVs, smaller transportable homes, vans, etc.

Just like with the Renogy 175 W, this solar panel can bend up to 248 degrees. It is capable of meeting a wide range of applications where standard panels can be inconvenient to mount, such as on the curved roof of an airstream. This alone makes this flexible solar panel for RV a durable and ideal choice

This panel is part of the same line as Renogy 175 W, but it’s smaller in every dimension. This doesn’t stop it from being effective, though – as it’s still efficient in a compact space.

It measures 48 inches by 21.6 inches and weighs just 4.2 pounds. Despite it being considerably smaller in size, it offers great flexibility, reminiscent of its cousin. This panel is perhaps more applicable for smaller places, such as vans, or use as a portable solar system.

The reason this panel is so good is because of its smart use of ETFE material. ETFE material has a higher light transmittance and longer service life than PET material. ETFE material also has anti-fouling and self-cleaning abilities to ensure the best performance day after day.

Combining this with the use of advanced polymer materials ensures that this product weighs 70% less than conventional solar panels. This can be crucial for transport and installation, as neither is particularly tricky, and you will not face any issues with it.

If you put this on your RV, you’ll also be witnessing lower MPG.

Rigorously tested, the 100W panel can withstand extreme wind of up to 2400 Pa and snow loads of up to 5400 Pa. Therefore, you can use this panel primarily on off-grid applications, including rooftop, RV, boats, and any curvy surfaces.

This panel is also just one-tenth of an inch tall, so it’s barely noticeable. This panel is ideal if you loved the Renogy 175 W, but you don’t need something that large. It rates 18.4% of efficiency, which definitely could be better, but isn’t terrible.

You should connect this flexible solar panel for RV with its charge controller, which is compatible with 12V and 24V systems. Plus, it is deep cycle sealed, gel, flooded, and lithium battery option ready.

Renogy uses the Adventurer charge controller, which is a negative ground controller. This ensures compatibility with any negative ground system, which is the standard and the most convenient way of grounding. Any negative connection on the solar module, battery and load can be safely earth grounded as required.

This charge controller uses a smart, 4 stage PWM charging (bulk, boost, float, and equalization). The temperature compensation increases battery life and improves system performance. It also has intelligent protection against reverse polarity, overcharging, short-circuiting, and reverse current.

With this, you’ll also get an LCD screen for displaying operating information and error codes. You can use the 5V 2.4A USB port on the front display to charge mobile phones, tablets, etc. It also has an RS232 port, which allows communication with the BT-1 Bluetooth module and usage of the Renogy BT smartphone app.

Best Value Flexible Solar Panel For RVs

WindyNation 100 W Flexible Solar Panel

If you’re looking for something that’s definitely going to pay out through the years, you should take a look at WindyNation’s 100-Watt Flexible Solar Panel. This panel will surely attract your attention, as it’s one of the most highly rated flexible panels in the field.

The solar panel it uses is a 100-Watt panel, which can provide up to 100 Watts clean, free, renewable power. This is great wattage, so you shouldn’t be facing any issues with that.

It uses a monocrystalline solar cell and has a covering of PET laminate coating – this is a great, inexpensive option for those looking to save. this flexible solar panel for RV is also perfect for 12-volt battery charging.

You can use this flexible solar panel for RV in other places such as cabins, homes, boats, and back-up power and remote power use. You won’t have any problems mounting this and using it any way you’d like.

It’s 41 inches by 27 inches in size, and it’s no heavier than 3.5 pounds so that you won’t be having any issues carrying it or installing it. This panel utilizes class-A solar cells, with a heavy-duty anodized aluminum frame, so you don’t have to worry about it getting damaged through the years (aside from the regular wear and tear).

The manufacturer offers a 5-year warranty on parts and labor and a 25-year power warranty.

This 100-Watt solar panel can provide 300-600 Watt-hours of power per day. However, it’s going to depend heavily on the amount of sunlight it faces that day.

100 Watts is the maximum power of this panel, with 21.6 V being the voltage of the open circuit. Short circuit current amounts to 6.32 amps, with the maximum power voltage being 17.4 V. Maximum power current is 5.75 amps, with the maximum system voltage being 1000 VDC.

This flexible solar panel for RV uses a polymer-coated back sheet to prevent environmental degradation, topped with an EVA film. It has highly efficient solar cells that ensure maximum electrical production.

Moreover, another layer of EVA film provides excellent mechanical bonding and transmission and a high structural integrity tempered glass.

The first thing you’ll notice about this WindyNation’s panel is its price. This actually applies to all of their panels, as they’re all much cheaper than the competition.

It’s pretty noticeable when you compare them to other 100-Watt panels, and the reason for that is lower quality control. You’re going to have to find out whether this panel is the right one for you on your own.

Best Premium Option Flexible Solar Panel For RVs

Renogy 175 W Extremely Flexible Solar Panel 

We’ve talked about this panel’s cousins, the Renogy 160 W 12V Flexible Solar Panel and the Renogy 100 W Monocrystalline Flexible Solar Panel – and now it’s time to talk about the largest and the best panel in the family, the 175 W.

This panel is the epitome of the culmination of cutting-edge technology and precision, and if you’re willing to spend top dollar for your panel, look no further than here, as it doesn’t get much better than this.

Like with its sister panels, this panel is ultra-lightweight, weighing in at only 6 pounds, while keeping its size 52 inches by 26.5 inches. You won’t be sacrificing size, but it won’t be weighing on your vehicle, as well.

This solar panel for RV is extremely flexible, to 248 degrees, thanks to advanced solar cell technology and lamination techniques, because of its thickness (it’s less than 5% as thick compared to the competition). The fact that it weighs 70% less than the average panel of the same size, it’s perfect for airstreams, campers, and boats.

The multi-layered sheet laminations enhance cell performance and ensure long service life. The EL tested solar modules guarantee no hot-spot heating. Bypass diodes minimize power drops caused by shade and ensure excellent performance even in low-light environments.

This means that the panel doesn’t necessarily need to be in direct sunlight in order to produce electricity – it can work when it’s cloudy, as well. The TPT back sheet dissipates heat to ensure smooth performance over a long period of time.

This flexible solar panel for RV is very durable, with the positive output tolerance being between 0 and 3%. It can withstand high winds (2400Pa) and snow loads (5400Pa). The frame is resistant to corrosion and made from aluminum, this allows extended outdoor use with a typical lifespan of several decades.

It’s compatible with many different applications, as it can be ground-mounted and compatible with on-grid and off-grid inverters.

There are also pre-drilled holes on the back of the panel that allows for fast mounting and securing. The holes are included for grounding, as well. There are various Renogy mounting systems you can purchase online, and this panel is compatible with all of them.

This panel is definitely a great option if you’re ready to spend a lot of money, as it’s appropriately expensive. If you’re interested in learning more about this panel, you can check out more information here.

More Uses For RV Solar Panels

Having electricity on the go is great for keeping your AC running and your TV on. But there are many other benefits. First, you can use the solar car battery charger to recharge your car battery.

That uses something called a solar generator to repurpose the solar energy from your panels into a usable battery. There are some great portable generators available for your RV.

You could also use the solar panels to charge your EV that you are towing along your RV trip.

Of course, you should learn how to properly install a solar panel on your RV to make sure that you don’t create an electrical fire or other safety issue.