Are you looking to power your electronic devices or small appliances when you’re doing an outdoor activity you love?

Whether you’re on foot, in a camper or RV, or on a boat, solar (photovoltaic or PV) panels are the way to go.

Today, consumers have many choices among rigid, portable, semi-flexible, and flexible solar panels. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the unique characteristics and special features of solar modules on the market.

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Plus, there are distinct advantages and disadvantages of each type of PV panel depending on how, when, and where you’ll be using them.

In this article, you’ll discover all you need to know about the 7 best flexible solar panels defined as PV panels that can bend (not fold — those would be classed as portable solar panels).

This list includes only crystalline flexible solar panels, not thin-film flexies.

Our flexible solar panels buyer’s guide will help you navigate the confusing terrain of all the technical data on flexible photovoltaic panels, so you make the best purchase possible for you, whatever your specific reason for using solar power when you’re away from home.

If you can’t wait for the bottom line, go directly to the list  of the 7 best flexible solar panels.

For people who want to read the buyer’s guide on flexible solar panels first, click here.

Anyone who’d like to know how we developed this list of the 7 best flexible solar panels, check out the process on how we evaluate panels and all solar products in a previous article.

7 best flexible solar panels: At a glance

  1. Best all-around: SunPower 110W Flexible Solar Panel
  2. Best all-around runner-up: Renogy 100W 12V Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
  3. Best marine: Rich Solar 100W Flexible Solar Panel
  4. Best marine runner-up: HQST Flexible Solar Panel 100W 12V Monocrystalline
  5. Best budget: Giosolar 100W 12V ETFE Flexible Solar Panel
  6. Best budget runner-up: TopSolar Flexible Solar Panel 100W 24V/12V Monocrystalline
  7. Best tiny powerhouse: AIMS Power 60W Flexible Slim Solar Panel

In the process of evaluating many flexible solar panels, we discovered a few interesting facts about our leading contenders that you will not read on similar websites posting their own lists. Here they are. More power to you!

Best all-around: SunPower 110W Flexible Solar Panel

The reason SunPower’s 110W flexible solar panel tops this list is its advanced IBC (interdigitated back content) solar cells.

Because all or most of the cell’s front contact grids are located on the back, these cells are highly efficient at up to 25% — even higher than some traditional rooftop monocrystalline PV modules!

See it on Amazon

If things couldn’t get any better with our #1 pick, the solar cells are plated on a copper back to enhance electrical conductivity. The panel itself is plastic, so it resists corrosion.

Sunpower’s flexible solar panel bends 30°, which is really all you need to attach them to most curved surfaces on vehicles.

What we like about SunPower 110W Flexible Solar Panel:          

  • Easy-to-operate MC4 connectors
  • No PET coating that degrades rapidly
  • 6 metal grommets per panel

What we don’t like about SunPower 110W Flexible Solar Panel:

  • Need their special tool to disconnect attachments

Key SunPower 110W Flexible Solar Panel specs:

  • Efficiency: 25%
  • Panel Type: Monocrystalline IBC
  • Wattage: 110W
  • Dimensions: 45.9 x 21.9 x 0.8 in.
  • Weight: 4.4 lbs.
  • Price: $225

Note: The little brother/sister of this top pick, SunPower Flexible 100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel, is designed as well as the slightly higher wattage panel and boasts a 23% efficiency — for a lot less.

Best all-around runner-up: Renogy 100W 12V Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel

You’d expect (like we did) that an established solar company like Renogy would never fail at bringing some of the most advanced PV panels to the market. From all intents and purposes, it appears that Renogy’s flexible module is no exception.

See it on Amazon

The ETFE top layer means it can bend 248° without damaging the fragile solar cells underneath. So, if you have an extremely curvy vehicle, this may be your panel.

What’s also unique about this panel are the transparent dots on its surface. They harvest sunlight more efficiently because they collect it from different angles.

The dots also cause the light to refract. This means the panels get a double dose of the same light particles (photons) impinging on it which translates into greater efficiency, too.

However, in spite of all of this, the efficiency is a measly 14.9%. The temperature coefficient is -0.42%/°C which partially explains its low efficiency.

Customer photos (on Amazon) of white spots that developed soon after installation suggest that something’s not quite right with these panels. For the price, we’d expect something better.

To be fair to Renogy, plenty of reviews give these panels fabulous ratings.

What we like about Renogy 100W 12V Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel:   

  • Can withstand high winds and heavy snow loads
  • IP68 rated junction box; IP67 for connectors
  • Superb warranty

What we don’t like about Renogy 100W 12V Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel:

  • Some customers report delamination, white spots developing under the coating, and poor energy output

Key Renogy 100W 12V Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel specs:

  • Efficiency: 9%
  • Panel Type: Monocrystalline
  • Wattage: 100Ww
  • Dimensions: 48 x 21.5 x 0.08 in.
  • Weight: 4.2 lbs.
  • Price: $164

Best marine: Rich Solar 100W Flexible Solar Panel

Are you a seafarer or boating enthusiast? The Rich Solar panel may be just what you’re looking for.

Rich Solar has produced a 30° flexible panel with a sealed junction box and solar connectors with an IP67 rating, making this module a great choice for marine environments.

See it on RichSolar

This flexible solar panel is also highly rated to withstand high winds, snow, and hail.

A bypass diode in the junction box ensures the highest energy output even in non-ideal conditions.

Rich Solar didn’t respond to our request for an efficiency rating of this panel. Its promotional materials state it’s “up to 21%” but without confirmation from the company, we can’t say for sure.

What we like about Rich Solar 100W Flexible Solar Panel:

  • Waterproof IP rating
  • Metal (stainless steel) grommets

What we don’t like about Rich Solar 100W Flexible Solar Panel:

  • Limited warranty (1 year)
  • High price tag

Key Rich Solar 100W Flexible Solar Panel specs:

  • Efficiency: Unknown
  • Panel Type: Monocrystalline
  • Wattage: 110W
  • Dimensions: 41.3 x 20.9 x 0.1 in.
  • Weight: 3.2 lbs.
  • Price: $190

Best marine runner-up: HQST Flexible Solar Panel 100W 12V Monocrystalline

When you’re around water, you naturally want solar panels that are waterproof and otherwise resistant to weather extremes. HQST sells a 30° flexible PV module that may work for you.

See it on Amazon

Rated IP68 for junction box only, we gave the runner up spot to HQST. The panel is rated highly for wind and snow loads, so you know it’s durable.

Its temperature coefficient was -0.38%/℃ which is better than many flexible solar panels. (Rich Solar, who got the top spot for marine, didn’t even list theirs.)

A unique feature that the HQST panel has compared to most panels is that it has 9 busbars rather than the typical 5. More is better when it comes to busbars for greater conductivity, less thermal resistance, and less power loss.

More busbars also reduce the damaging effects of microcracks compared to modules with fewer busbars.

What we like about HQST Flexible Solar Panel 100W 12V Monocrystalline:   

  • More busbars
  • MC4 cables
  • Good performance warranty (10 yr/90%, 25 yr/80% efficiency)

What we don’t like about HQST Flexible Solar Panel 100W 12V Monocrystalline:

  • Information given on Amazon differed on many points from that on the HQST website; used the latter for this review
  • PET top cover (prone to cracking, discoloration)

Key HQST Flexible Solar Panel 100W 12V Monocrystalline specs:

  • Efficiency: Unknown
  • Panel Type: Monocrystalline
  • Wattage: 100W
  • Dimensions: 40.94 x 21.20 x 0.15 in.
  • Weight: 4 lbs.
  • Price: $130

Best Budget: Giosolar 100W 12V ETFE Flexible Solar Panel

Giosolar’s 30° flexible solar panel could have won placement on this list of the best flexible solar panels for its superior waterproofness. Both its junction box and MC4 connectors have an IP67 rating.

See it on Amazon

But with this module’s low price, we granted it the top spot in the best value category.

Unfortunately, Giosolar doesn’t appear to have its own website, so it may not be easy to get customer service assistance if needed. There’s no warranty information, either. So buyer beware.

This panel, however, has several great qualities. Top on the list is the ETFE coating. It permits greater light transmission so solar cells can be more efficient at capturing solar energy.

ETFE also allows for more elongation when flexing, minimizing panel cracking or chipping.

Is Giosolar’s panel too good to be true? I guess you have to try it and leave a review!

What we like about Giosolar 100W 12V ETFE Flexible Solar Panel:

  • ETFE coating should result in high (“up to 23.5%”) efficiency but no data is provided.
  • 6 stainless steel eyelets

What we don’t like about Giosolar 100W 12V ETFE Flexible Solar Panel:

  • No company contact information to be found
  • Very few customer reviews to help you make a decision

Key Giosolar 100W 12V ETFE Flexible Solar Panel specs:

  • Efficiency: Unknown
  • Panel Type: Monocrystalline
  • Wattage: 100W
  • Dimensions: 41.3 x 21.3 x 0.1 in.
  • Weight: 4.18 lbs.
  • Price: $118

Best budget runner up: Top Solar Flexible Solar Panel 100W 24V/12V Monocrystalline

If you don’t wish to spend a ton of money on a flexible solar panel, Top Solar may be perfect for you.

Using information from the company website (not Amazon), this PV panel is made of SunPower solar cells, which are considered high-quality. The website suggests (but doesn’t explicitly state) these are the IBC cells used in our best all-around winner above.

See it on Amazon

The junction box is IP67 rated and contains a bypass diode.

Top Solar’s panel has a temperature coefficient of -0.38%/℃ which is fairly good for a panel that, when attached snugly to a curved surface, won’t have space underneath for ventilation to keep the panel cool.

Hot panels suffer from reduced energy output, up to 30-40%.

Some customers place corrugated plastic underneath flexible panels to increase air circulation. Whether this really makes a difference or not is debatable.

The front coating is PET which turns yellow after minimal use. It’s prone to cracking, too, especially if the panels are curved to a significant degree.

View on Amazon

What we like about Top Solar Flexible Solar Panel 100W 24V/12V Monocrystalline:

  • Frameless
  • MC4 connector compatible

What we don’t like about Top Solar Flexible Solar Panel 100W 24V/12V Monocrystalline:

  • The PET coating isn’t the best for maximum performance
  • No information on the degree to which it’s flexible

Key Top Solar Flexible Solar Panel 100W 24V/12V Monocrystalline specs:

  • Efficiency: 9%
  • Panel Type: Monocrystalline
  • Wattage: 100W
  • Dimensions: 41.3 x 21.3 x 0.07 in.
  • Weight: 3.75 lbs.
  • Price: $136

Best Tiny Powerhouse: AIMS Power 60W Flexible Slim Solar Panel

This small and super light flexible solar panel packs a lot of power for its size, so we created a new category to describe it.

Although it’s less than the 100-110W wattages of all the other PV modules on this list, 60W may be all you need to keep a cell phone and tablet (or other small electronics) charged up.

See it on Amazon

With a temperature coefficient of -0.38% /°C, the tiny AIMS flexie competes favorably with many others on this list. Not bad!

As a general rule, smaller panels don’t bend as much as larger panels, but this one can flex somewhat (no value given).

What we like about AIMS Power 60W Flexible Slim Solar Panel:

  • Good warranty (5 yr product, 10 yr performance/80%)
  • Bypass diode reduces effect of shading (lower energy output caused by shading)

What we don’t like about AIMS Power 60W Flexible Slim Solar Panel:

  • PET top covering degrades easily

Key AIMS Power 60W Flexible Slim Solar Panel specs:

  • Efficiency: 5%
  • Panel Type: Monocrystalline
  • Wattage: 60W
  • Dimensions: 28.5 x 21 x 12 in.
  • Weight: 1.98 lbs.
  • Price: $89

Note: AIM Power also sells a 60W portable PV module with carrying case.

Flexible solar panel buyer’s guide

Shopping for the best flexible solar panel to meet your specific needs requires a discerning eye and careful analysis. Here are a few major advantages and disadvantages of flexible solar panels to consider.

Flexible solar panel advantages

  1. Will cover curved surfaces snugly
  2. Lightweight and portable (as long as you haven’t permanently glued them on)
  3. Can be attached inside vehicle windows on rainy/cloudy days or if you’re in motion through suction cups or grommets
  4. Installation is relatively easy and reversible

Flexible solar panel disadvantages

  1. Some plastic coatings become brittle and discolored after only a short time, reducing energy production
  2. Especially without air flow underneath them, they’ll heat up quickly, easily resulting in up to 30-40% power output loss
  3. When directly attached to your vehicle, they may raise the inside cabin temperature by 5+ degrees. Not fun during summer heatwaves!
  4. May be extremely difficult to remove the adhesive used to glue them in place.

Factors to consider when buying flexible solar panels

Although you’re not making a major, long-term decision when buying flexible solar panels like you are when investing in a rooftop or ground-mounted solar array, flexible PV modules can be expensive. Who doesn’t want to make the most economical decision without compromising quality?

So it’s paramount when carefully considering all the factors involved when purchasing flexible solar panels to take into account:

  • The significant drop in solar power output from overheating when flexible solar panels are attached directly on vehicle surfaces. Just because it’s rated at 100+W doesn’t mean you’ll get that. In fact, you most often won’t.
  • Since you’re buying fewer flex panels for outdoor excursions compared to the number of rigids for a home solar system, the price per actual energy output can be more Unfortunately, don’t count on a good warranty to cover your losses unless you buy from a top-rated company.
  • They also tend to underperform due to mishandling. Remember that delicate solar cells and busbars aren’t meant to flex too much nor too frequently — if at all.
  • Water-resistance is different from waterproofness. Keep in mind that PV panels often fail when moisture gets under the front coating, at the panel-frame border, or by the junction box. Look closely at product spec sheets to be sure. This is especially important if you plan on gluing flex solar panels directly to a boat.

What to look for in high-quality flexible solar panels: Technical aspects

Here’s a quick checklist on many technical aspects of flexible solar panels to guide your research when purchasing them.

ETFE front coating — self-cleaning, elongates much more than other coatings before breaking, if it does. (This is key for flexible panels!)

Bypass diodes between solar cells — prevents major power losses if one cell (or a section) is damaged, faulty, or partially shaded.

Wattage — make sure it’s great enough to cover all your anticipated energy demands and then some. Check out our previous article’s buyer’s guide to figure out how to estimate the wattage that you need. Don’t get stuck without power from a low-wattage or poor-performing panel! For most outdoor short trips, go for at least 100W (more for an RV with many people). If you’re boondocking in an RV for an extended time, you can always supplement mounted, rigid panels on your roof with flexies on curved spots. Just make sure you have separate charge controllers and inverters for different circuitry, panels of various wattage ratings, and appliances running on AC current.

Efficiency — The higher, the better. Look for 20% or higher. You will rarely achieve it in real life, but it’s good to aim for.

Temperature coefficient — The smaller, the better. You’ll find it on the spec sheet. Attempt to get a module at or close to -0.30%/℃.

IP (ingress protection) rating of 67 or higher — To prevent dust and water from ruining your panels. Make sure the module and junction box are rated at IP67 or higher if you’ll be using them on a boat or on a desert. Here’s a helpful infographic to learn more:

Source: Leading Edge Power

Conclusions about the best flexible solar panels

If you’re an occasional outdoor adventurer — on land or on water — looking for some way to refresh the juice of your handheld devices, one of the 7 best flexible solar panels showcased in this article is exactly what you’ve been looking for no matter your budget, preference, or need.

Lightweight and portable, these flex PV modules can go wherever you go — and keep you charged up.

Not all flexible solar panels are created equal though. We’ve done the work of finding the best so you can spend more time doing what you love.

Also read:

But beware: Ample details for all seven won’t disappoint. But they may make it difficult to choose only one!

Our buyer’s guide gives an in-depth critique of flexible solar panels based on their major technical aspects. You’ll discover that the best flexible solar panel for you is a lot more than what meets the eye.

Whichever one you choose from this list of the 7 best flexible solar panels — or select as an add-on to your existing solar mash when you’re outdoors — will power you through and stand ready for many more outings, too.