When people look for solar panels
that can be taken to a log cabin in the woods or to a RV
parked in a remote yet charming location, the initial
reaction seem to hover around conventional rigid bodied
solar panels that are mostly used in suburban homes. But
a mere look at a 2’ x 8’ complex solid photovoltaic
solar panel sitting smug on a rooftop like an oversize
skylight will sure help banish any such ideas. It is
indeed quite unrealistic and impractical from any point
of view. But what happens if you are presented with a
lightweight flexible rolled up solar panel that you can
take with you at ease? You would obviously jump at the
idea. Flexible solar panels are just that.
Innovative
solar technology has reached newer heights with the
development of soft, pliable photovoltaic solar power
panel that will work anywhere under the sun throughout
the day on its own and via a battery bank all through
the night. And mind you, it is a silent worker that
produces no exhaust gas or any emission that is harmful
for the atmosphere. Gone are the days when one in need
of power in a remote area had to carry a cumbersome
fossil fuel generator set that needed unending supply of
fuel, spilling CO˛ all over the place, apart from the
gruesome noise coming out of it day and
night.
Flexible
solar panels
are manufactured using a process known as ‘thin film
deposition’ in which very thin layers of a
superconducting material called silicon is applied onto
substrates that are flexible. This allows the silicon
layer to flex, fold and bend in any chosen shape or
direction. Installing the flexible solar
panel for use merely means un-folding or rather
un-rolling the film-like panel and placing it directly
in the sunlight. Connecting the panel’s leads to a
battery will result in immediate charging for use at
night. Daytime use of the flexible solar panel includes
playing power operated musical instruments or using your
laptop (through an inverter).
Flexible
solar panels
today allows researchers to study and collect data in
their laptops while working deep in the heart of Sahara
or making observations about the behavior pattern of
large animals in South African Game Reserves without any
hassle. Since these flexible solar panels can also be
rolled up and stowed for camping, hiking and travel in
far off lands where grid-based electricity is not always
available, they are becoming more and more popular with
each passing day.
Despite
the fact that very few individuals have appreciated the
benefits of tapping alternative energy sources till now,
flexible solar
panels will sure open up many more doors for the
sheer simplicity of its use and application in the near
future.
There
are simply too many advantages of alternative energy
such as solar power – such as its clean nature on the
environment and low running cost (solar power reduces
your electricity bills dramatically). So go ahead and
opt for solar power – but before you do you need to know
where and how to set it up, how to wire the system,
where to get the batteries and the parts cheaply from,
and also the safety precautions that need to be
followed. Get hold of a guide that will inform you about
all this and you are all ready for solar
power.
