article on flex panels

[Flying kurbmaster]

I have had a UNisolar EPVL-68 roll out flex panel adhered to my roof since 2011 or 2012.

This panel is amorphorus and not the same as the flex panels of today that when new offer the same efficiency as framed panels

Unisol that the name I couldn’t remember I have the same panels, my roof is flat and they haven’t moved or lifted, I had an idea at first to raise them above the roof for the heat thing but when it came time to install them I couldn’t be bothered and just glued them directly to the roof as they were designed to do, seems to have worked out ok. If there comes a time that I have to remove them I will cut the Ali roof it is very thin and easy to cut.

[sternwake]

Since the UNisolar 68 watt amorphorus panels are no longer made, and are very different from the Panels shown in the OP, I do not think we should be making longevity comparisons to the flex panels shown in the OP's AM solar link to the butyl backed amorphorus panels.

Looks like there are some 136 watt Unisolar versions still in stock by some retailers, but these are some 15 feet long IIRC.
https://www.ebay.com/i/123242872309?chn=ps

I recall seeing the same 68 watt panels with a different labelling for a short while too.

I knew at the time when i bought my Unisolar pvl-68 that there was a limited supply of them as they had just filed for bankruptcy. the purchase was made with some urgency in mind, as I had 16 inches wide and 9'6 available for it.
Turns out there was also an E-pvl-68 and these had MC4 connectors where my pvl-68 came with MC3.

The Unisolar specs said to not roll them up in less than a certain diameter, but the box mine was shipped in was a few inches under this minimum diameter. I could really have used another pair of hands when peeling off the paper backing and sticking mine to my roof. To say the immediate area was filled with sailor's curses and little bits of paper that did not freak out anybody within hearing distance would be....inaccurate. It was so much worse than that.



I currently have this flex panel:
https://www.wholesalesolar.com/9433670/s...olar-panel
Thanks to the members of this forum and the renogy gift certificate provided me. I 'think' it is likely significantly higher quality that the failed flex panels shown in the Am solar anti flex panel link.

But this is conjecture

My UNisolar pvl-68 is this panel:

https://www.google.com/search?q=UNisolar+pvl-68&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjznLntj4rdAhWhllQKHWv0APMQ_AUICygC&biw=1422&bih=747

When first installed, it exceeded its rating by a good amount.
If My unisolar failed and I were to remove it then the sunpower Flex panel would be easier to mount.

My 198 watts, 130 Kyocera framed and unisolar pvl68 in parallel, will get me close to 12 amps in summer near noon.

Love to have 17.5 amps.

[Flying kurbmaster]

Mine was also sent in a box rolled up too small and I was worried about this as I read that long after I received it luckily it didn’t seem to harm them. I had no issues installing them alone as my roof is very flat and large. I would like to get another one and also have heard that the long ones were still around, I think there was/is a video on YouTube showing how to cut them down however that looked a bit too risky for me I would be afraid to ruin it.

[sternwake]

The paper on mine kept getting stuck to the buytl edges and tearing and was extremely difficult to get the backing paper to lift again. It was a hot day, i think if I had installed it on a cooler day There would have been less cursing and frustration.

It is a shame that these are no longer made and could be made smaller/ more efficient.

The amorphorus are good in low light, adn increases harvest in morning more than 68 watts should seem to be able to do.

The textured surface of these is kind of self defeating. If I scrub it with a sponge and wipe it immediately the output increases considerably, compared to just using the gas station style window squeegee on a longer pole.

I'm pretty bad about keeping the panels clean.