New Energy Solutions
Why Flexible Solar Panels Are Ideal for Unique Lifestyles
When you think of a solar panel, a rigid, rectangular device mounted on a roof probably comes to mind. These highly efficient and durable traditional panels fit standard homes well.
But what if your home is far from conventional—like a house on wheels, a tiny house, or even a uniquely shaped modern structure? That’s where flexible solar panels come in. With their lightweight, bendable design, these panels offer a perfect solution for powering unique homes and lifestyles.
Key Takeaways:
Consider Flexible Panels for Specialised Needs: Flexible solar panels are perfect for homes with unique shapes or mobile setups like RVs, tiny houses, and boats. Their bendable design allows them to adapt to curved or uneven surfaces where traditional panels can't fit.
Choose Traditional Panels for Long-Term Efficiency: Flexible solar panels are versatile but less efficient (10-15%) and have a shorter lifespan (5-15 years) compared to traditional panels, which are more efficient (18-22%) and last longer (25-30 years). For larger, permanent homes, traditional panels are a better choice because they produce more energy and last much longer.
Evaluate Cost vs. Value for Your Lifestyle: Flexible panels are cheaper to buy initially, but their lower efficiency and shorter lifespan may require more panels to meet energy needs. For larger homes with higher energy demands, traditional solar panels are a more cost-effective and practical choice over time.
Prioritise Your Energy Needs: Assess how much energy your household or setup requires. Flexible panels can power smaller appliances and devices, while traditional panels can run air conditioners, electric vehicles, and other high-energy appliances in a larger home.
Flexible Solar Panels in a Nutshell
Flexible solar panels are an innovative twist on traditional photovoltaic technology, designed with adaptability and convenience. They use lightweight materials that allow them to bend and conform to various surfaces. Their flexible feature opens possibilities, making them an excellent choice for unconventional energy needs and non-traditional applications.
Whether you’re outfitting a campervan or a tiny home, flexible solar panels provide the versatility that traditional solar panels can’t. They empower users to generate solar power in spaces where standard panels might be impractical or impossible to install.
What Makes Them Flexible?
The secret to flexible solar panels lies in their unique composition. Instead of the rigid glass and aluminium frames used in traditional panels, flexible panels use lightweight, durable backing materials that allow for bending and shaping.
They are also composed of thin layers of advanced photovoltaic materials, such as:
Amorphous Silicon: A non-crystalline silicon layer that’s ultra-thin and highly flexible.
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe): A cost-effective material known for its adaptability and high sunlight absorption.
Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS): A highly efficient and flexible material that works well in low-light conditions.
The flexible innovation enables solar installation on curved, angled, or uneven surfaces. For example, they can wrap around the roof of an RV, hug the surface of a curved awning, or fit snugly onto a tiny house's slanted roof.
Flexible solar panels don’t just bring convenience. They create opportunities for renewable energy in places and lifestyles where traditional panels just won’t fit. These panels redefine where solar power can go.
Can Flexible Solar Panels Replace the Traditional Ones?
Flexible solar panels have made waves in the solar industry and offer an adaptable approach to solar energy. But can they replace traditional panels? The answer isn’t so straightforward. Flexible panels show promising features, especially for unconventional living situations, but regular solar panels still have the edge in several key areas.
Let's say you want to power a cabin. To run essential appliances, You probably need about 1,000W of solar energy. If you opt for traditional solar panels with a typical efficiency of 20%, you would need around four standard 300W panels. However, you might need up to ten flexible solar panels to achieve the same output. It would also require more installation space and possibly higher costs.
Take a closer look at how flexible solar panels compare to traditional compact ones in terms of efficiency, durability, and cost. This comparison will help set your expectations straight and give you a clearer picture of which technology suits your needs:
Power Production Depends on Efficiency
The efficiency of solar panels is a key factor in deciding if they’re worth the investment. Traditional solar panels have the upper hand in this area. Monocrystalline solar panels are incredibly efficient at converting sunlight into power. On average, most highly efficient solar panels have 20-22% efficiency rates and more energy per square meter than flexible panels.
On the flip side, flexible panels efficiency is around 10-17%, depending on the material. This can work in smaller, less energy-demanding setups like tiny houses.
However, flexible solar panels won’t be enough for larger homes that need to power everything from air conditioning to electric vehicles. You would need more flexible panels to generate the same amount of energy as fewer traditional panels, which may not always be practical or cost-effective.
Durability Affects Long-Term Value
Durability is one of the most important factors when installing solar panels in your home. You want a system that will last for decades and withstand the harsh conditions of the Australian climate. Traditional panels are known for their long lifespan and durability. They can last 25-30 years and handle extreme weather conditions like intense heat, hail, or heavy rain with minimal wear and tear.
Flexible solar panels don’t quite have the same durability. They are more prone to damage over time due to their lightweight materials and thinner layers of photovoltaic cells. Flexible panels can degrade more quickly in extreme heat, hailstorms, or just the constant wear from wind and rain than traditional ones. Their lifespan tends to be shorter, most lasting around 5-10 years, depending on quality and usage.
If you’re looking for a long-term investment you can rely on to power your regular home for decades, traditional panels are still the better option. Flexible panels are perfect for short-term or mobile setups. Furthermore, they do not offer the same level of durability needed for a permanent residential solar system.
Which Looks Better in Your Home
Aesthetics can narrow your options especially if you’re particular about how your home looks. Choosing traditional panels might not give you the minimalist appearance you’re aiming for, as their bulky figure tends to stand out more. Some homeowners are fine with this, knowing that the efficiency and long-term benefits make the look worthwhile. Others, however, may prefer a sleeker, less intrusive design.
This is where flexible panels excel. Their thin, lightweight design reduces bulk, allowing them to blend in better with the surface they’re attached to. Installing these panels on tiny homes, RVs, or boats, creates a more cohesive and streamlined look.
Flexible panels can fit into areas where rigid panels might look out of place, giving you a more aesthetic design. However, for large residential homes, the aesthetic advantages of flexible panels might not outweigh the benefits of traditional panels—especially when you factor in efficiency and long-term investment.
Cost is a Major Consideration
Cost is always a factor in any major home improvement decision, and solar panels are no different. The upfront costs of traditional solar panels tend to be more expensive because of their efficiency and durability. However, because they last longer and generate more energy, they often provide a better return on investment in the long run.
Flexible solar panels are generally cheaper but have a lower energy output and shorter lifespan. You may end up needing to install more panels to achieve the same level of power, which could offset any initial savings.
Additionally, flexible panels are still a more niche product. It is not as widely produced or used as traditional solar panels. Because of this limited market and production scale, they often cost more per unit of electricity they can generate (price per watt). For homeowners with huge energy needs, like those in standard residential homes, this higher cost might make flexible panels less practical and economical than traditional panels.
The Right Solar Panel Type for Your Home and Lifestyle
The decision between flexible and traditional solar panels depends more on your unique needs and lifestyle.
Flexible panels can be ideal in a non-traditional home, like a tiny house or an RV. They offer adaptability, ease of installation, and a more lightweight appearance. Traditional solar panels are still the go-to option for larger and permanent residential installations. With their higher efficiency, longer lifespan, and greater power output, rigid panels are ideal for homes requiring significant energy generation.
Flexible solar panels are an exciting development in solar technology, but for now, they’re more of a complementary solution than a full replacement for traditional panels. They excel in specific situations but are unlikely to replace rigid solar panels for most homeowners looking for a long-term, high-efficiency solution to their energy needs.
Other Applications of Flexible Solar Panels
Flexible solar panels cater to solar needs in areas where traditional panels can't fit. Their versatility opens up wide uses beyond just mobile homes and tiny houses. Here are some of the unique applications for flexible solar panels:
Boats
Generating renewable energy on boats enables you to enjoy the water life more. Flexible solar panels can power onboard electronics, lighting, and even an electric motor without a noisy, fuel-guzzling generator. These panels can be easily applied to curved surfaces such as boat decks, masts, or rooftops due to their lightweight and bendable feature.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)
For architects and builders, flexible solar panels present a new opportunity to integrate solar power directly into the building structure. BIPV is the incorporation of solar panels into building materials like roofing, facades, or windows. With flexible panels, architects can create more aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient buildings that generate power without needing bulky, traditional solar panels. These panels can be applied to curved or irregularly shaped surfaces, making them ideal for modern and futuristic architecture.
Portable Power Systems
Are you an outdoor enthusiast or a camper? Flexible solar panels can be a great addition to portable power systems. These panels can be easily rolled up, packed away, and deployed wherever power is needed. Since they are easy to transport, charging a battery bank, powering small electronics, or using them for emergency backup is more convenient while enjoying your trips and camping activities.
Flexible Panels Meet Unique Needs, But Traditional Panels Offer Long-Term Value
As more people embrace alternative lifestyles, flexible solar panels meet the demand for customised, portable power solutions. However, if your home has the space and qualifies for traditional solar panel installation, this remains the most practical option.
Solar is a long-term commitment, and choosing a reliable partner for your energy needs is essential. Traditional panels with their proven durability and high efficiency provide long-term value that makes them an excellent investment.
Opting for a traditional panel like 1KOMMA5° full black module, you're securing a high-quality, reliable solution for your home’s energy needs. With our 25-year workmanship warranty, expert installation, and top-tier products, you’re not just investing in solar; you’re investing in your future.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Installing Solar Power
There are great government rebates/incentives still in place for eligible households. Basically, the larger the panel array, the more STCs your solar system generates as it is based on the expected output of the system over time.
When you buy a solar system, the purchase price is normally reduced by the value of the STCs created by your system. You simply fill out a form on the day of installation to confirm that the system has been installed, and that’s it. There is no additional paperwork that you need to do.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC’s) – previously known as Renewable Energy Certificates or RECS – are created when a Renewable Energy System such as a Solar PV system is installed.
The number of STC’s depends on the predicted amount of energy generated and hence the larger the system the greater the rebate. In essence, one STC is created for every megawatt-hour of production capacity of the system.
This is further multiplied by the number of years the system is likely to generate energy (for home solar systems, this is usually 15 years, although the life of the solar panels themselves is considerably more than that).
This incentive program is being phased out until 2030, so each year the number of certificates your system is eligible for reduces.
STC Price
The system for trading and pricing STCs for small systems is managed by the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
STCs are bought by Liable Parties (usually electricity retailers) and must be surrendered at the end of each quarter. As the number of STCs that are required to be surrendered is a fixed amount each year, but the number of STCs created is variable, the price paid for STCs also varies and is determined by supply and demand.
The Federal Government legislated in 2010 a fixed price for STCs by implementing a Clearing House system where STCs can be bought and sold for $40. However, there is no requirement for Liable Parties to purchase from the Clearing House, so they are likely to only do so if there is a shortage of STCs or the market price exceeds $40. There is currently a surplus of STCs in the market which means the market price of STC’s below $40
The Feed In Tariff is only something you need to worry about if you don’t have battery storage.
The price your chosen energy retailer pays for any excess electricity generated from your solar panels is recorded as a credit on your power bill.
In NSW, solar power is fed into your home as it is generated and your household will use it first before you draw power from the grid.
This means that for every kWh of solar power used in the home you are directly saving money you’d spend on your power bill. This reduction in your power bill is the main financial benefit of solar power.
Everything else will be bought up at an agreed rate by your electricity retailer.
At the moment, most feed-in tariffs are between 5 and 10 cents per kWh, with many being about 7 cents. They bounce up and down a lot, for example in previous years they have been up over 20 cents per kWh. Typically, they are always at least 5 cents per kWh.
Once you sign up for a 1KOMMA5° Installation, we immediately submit your grid application to the relevant energy distributor. For systems up to 5kWs, this is a formality. For larger systems it can take a few days or more. Once we receive approval, your installation will be managed by our installation coordinator, who will welcome you to 1KOMMA5° and book an installation date for you. This is generally booked within around two weeks and installation dates are available Monday to Friday, weather permitting.
We endeavour to have your system installed within 2-4 weeks unless you request us to hold for whatever reason. Due to our strict safety policy, we do not install solar systems when it rains. In the event of inclement weather, we will rebook your installation as soon as possible. We always work with your requests as we strongly recommend that someone be home on the day of installation.
Green Loans can be an affordable way to pay for your solar power system and is only available for approved products. As a Clean Energy Council Accredited installer, all our systems qualify.
Green Loans can be used to finance 1KOMMA5° systems from $1,000 to $30,000 over a 2-7 year term. Once you have received a referral from 1KOMMA5°, online approval usually occurs within 1-2 business days. Green Loans have a competitive fixed interest rate that is as low as 7.99% p.a.* | Comparison rate 9.21% p.a.^ Establishment fee of $299 added to the loan amount. $2.70 per week account keeping fee included in repayments.
To be eligible to apply you must:
Be over 18 years old and an Australian resident or citizen
Own or be purchasing a home
Be employed, self-employed, a self-funded retiree; or is receiving the Government Age Pension
Have an Australian driver’s license or Passport
Provide two most recent payslips or 90 days of bank statements
There are a number of good, competitive Green Loan providers – ask us about the options available.