sunflex solar?

Hi anyone got any experience of http://www.sunflexsolar.com/products/mo ... lar-panels I am specifically after a semi-flexible panel so that I don't break it on a boat.

£350/ 100watt (delivered) seems like a very good price for a glassless panel.

Does anyone know if they are any good? I am tempted to buy a smaller one and test their wattage claim.

[Gotwind Ben]

Ive seen these on eBay Sam direct from China, similar price.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SunFlex-60W-Flexi ... ltDomain_0

I have no reason to doubt their power claims, might be as well to get a smaller panel to test as you say.

An interesting encapulastion method, maybe eBay would be a safer method, paying with Paypal.
If it doesn't turn up in a couple of weeks you can try and get your money back.

I would be tempted to do as Ben suggested and buy direct from China from an Ebay seller. The onyl thing to watch for when buying anything from overseas is gettign hit for VAT and import duty when it arrives. I've never bought anything of any great value from China (loads of low value items) so I dont have any experience of customs stopping stuff.

As to the panels themselves, I'm sure that they will perform within the specs, my only concern about the flexible panels would be the lifespan of the plastics used. But then for the application intended (on a boat) it may not be a concern if the plastics have faded in say ten years time.

Finally got a reply from China

The plastic is EVA, Panel life time 5-10 years.

If they are only going to last 5 years I think I will keep looking..

[Gotwind Ben]

Interesting Sam.
I had to look up 'EVA', Wicki is top of the Google pile and I have no reason to question it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene-vinyl_acetate

5-10 years can go by very quickly as we know, replacing a couple (or more) of 100 watts of solar PV is not good as you say.
Stick to the glass variants is a sound conclusion - 25 years useage is often suggested.