Renogy Flexible Solar Panel Review: 9 Months + 9000 Miles Across the US!

Welcome back to another Renogy Solar product review video from Freedom in a Can! We've heard a lot of myths about flexible panels over the years, so decided to give them the full timers test on our vintage camper, which has been our home since the fall of 2012. We call him "Hamlet," and he makes the perfect place for us to live, work, and play as we travel, volunteer, and explore this great continent of North America.

Brief Overview:
While we've lived with a very small solar powered system for nearly 9 years, it was time for an upgrade. The needs of our small growing business and the uncertain future of public options, meant we needed to be more self-reliant. By increasing our solar capacity by three fold and doubling our battery storage, we are now able to generate more power than we can use and will hold us over during many days of cloudy weather.

We installed two Renogy 100W flexible panels in April 2021, as part of an overall system upgrade while boondocking in AZ. We have lived with this new system for nearly 9 months and traveled over 9,000 miles, in all kinds of weather and road conditions, since completing this installation. In December 2021, we thought it was time for a review and to put these myths up against our experience!

Overall Parts List:
Please use our affiliate links & promo code "CANLIFE" for 10% off your Renogy purchase!

Renogy Components:

Renogy Cables, Fuses, Etc.:

Other parts available at most auto parts / hardware stores:
1. Corrugated plastic sheets "Plaskolite"
2. Lexel
3. TremPro 635 (might need to be special ordered)
4. 8 x 3/4 inch stainless steel screws, pan head
5. Mounting pads
6. Zip ties
7. 1 x roll (1" x 18') of 3M VHB Tape (might need to be special ordered)
8. 1 x roll industrial mounting tape - 2 sided

Other Video Links:

We'll see y'all on the road!

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Disclaimer: Most of the videos we make include affiliate links and paid sponsorship, this helps keeps our information free and us on the road (10 years and counting!).

This video is intended to help users plan, organize, calculate, and install a personal DIY solar powered electrical system. We, Shari & Hutch (Freedom in a Can, LLC), are neither professional electricians nor solar installers; we are educators who have learned to install our own system and to empower others to do the same. If you have questions, reach out in the comments section and we'll get back to you.

If you need further assistance beyond our advice, consult a solar professional or certified electrician. Electricity is dangerous, so do your homework, take it one step at a time, and good luck!

[pchris]

We need more long term reviews. Thanks for taking the time to check back in! I wish more reviewers did this.

[Nobody-gmbb]

glad i come here thank you
and the comments are good
helpfull .
i know how i will set my caravan ting i have worked out much power ill pull just had second thoughts on flxible you get me
freedom here i come
peace and love to all and the revolution will not be televised

[michaelconner]

We installed two 160 watt Renogy flexible panels on our camper van roof three years ago and they are still going strong. We installed them in a similar way with corrugated plastic underneath, VHB tape, and Eternabond tape and they have stayed put through constant travel over two years, a large portion of it in the desert southwest. I haven't notice any reduction in output and if I had a failure I wouldn't hesitate to replace them with the flexible 175 watt panels since they no longer sell the 160s. The simplicity, low weight, and low profile outweigh the lower efficiency for our application and they have been super reliable.

[raylaux]

The most common obstacle for thin film or flexible solar panels is their lower efficiency than classic panels. Today, the efficiency ratings for average monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels hovers between 16 and 20 percent. Thin film solar panels, on the other hand, typically offer an efficiency of between 7 and 15 percent. This lowered efficiency means that you will need more solar panels to produce the same amount of energy, which can be a barrier to some solar projects with limited roof space for installation.

[matthewknight]

I use 1850 watts of ground deployed panels at the moment but ive been looking into mounting an array on top of my 30 foot camper. I like the flexible panels for the look and low profile but the not being able to tilt has me concerned a bit but maybe woth enough of them it would still be ok. Thanks for the videos

[averyprondzinski]

I'm not sure I would want to pop all those screw holes in the roof... Mechanical fastening sounds like a good idea, but Sikaflex is quite strong. Renogy's install video says grommet mounting is not needed and more of a portability option. Thoughts? I don't know how it would bond to the insulating material--thank you for that recommendation! Mine is going on a black fiberglass roof box that gets HOT! Cheers.

[PopsGG]

Great video, thanks for posting. 1:56 Renogy's claim that they gather more light with a bumpy surface makes no sense. Its basic physics/geometry, if a surface is at an angle to the sun it will get hit by less photons, period.

[jordansaintemarie]

A small portion of one of my panels will have a slight curve to it on the roof of my van. How would you use the corrugated plastic for that?

[synikster]

How is your panel nowafter 1-1/2 years with them? Appearance looks new? Power output loss or the same? Any readings lately?

[NatureZone]

Haven't watched the install yet, going there now, but did you find any reason they had to make the one cable 5 inches and the other one 17 inches? Makes me a little hesitant to get one if there isn't a good reason why they short the cable like that. Thanks!

[jayhenry]

I have the renogy 175 flexible mounted to the south side oh home on the wall not the optimal position have pulled 168 watts