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LinkSolar Flexible Solar Panels

Flexible Solar Panels

Ultra-light, ETFE flexible solar panels for RV roofs, boats, vans and curved metal surfaces. Bend to match your deck or roofline, cut weight, and add quiet off-grid power where rigid glass modules will not fit.

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Flexible Solar Panels for Curved, Lightweight Surfaces


Flexible solar panels are built for places where glass modules struggle: curved RV roofs, biminis, thin metal skins and drill-sensitive decks. They keep system weight low, follow the shape of your surface, and stay quiet under wind and vibration while your batteries charge.

In this collection you will find ultra-light ETFE laminates based on high-efficiency cells, as well as small flexible modules and cells used in OEM and DIY projects. These products sit between consumer “disposable” panels and full custom engineering—serious enough for long-term marine and RV use, but fast to deploy on individual vans, boats and trailers.

Types of Flexible Solar Modules in This Collection

ETFE Flexible Panels for RVs & Marine Decks


ETFE flexible panels are designed for everyday RV and marine duty where weight and height are critical. Installed on coach roofs, dodgers and hardtops, they follow gentle curves and avoid heavy frames. Typical projects include house loads on cruising yachts and roof arrays on vans similar to those shown in our Marine & Yacht case studies and RV & Campervan builds.

Thin, Low-Voltage Flexible Modules for Smaller Loads


Smaller flexible modules are often used for low-power devices, instrument housings and compact enclosures where you cannot fit a framed panel. They bring a gentle bend radius, light weight and simple mounting, and are well suited to auxiliary loads, trickle charging or experimental projects where you want real-world data before scaling to a full custom design.

Flexible Cells for DIY & OEM Prototyping


Some products in this range are bare or semi-finished cells intended for engineers and advanced DIY users building their own laminates or validating new form factors. They let you prototype voltage, current and layout on a small budget, then move to a production-ready laminate once you are confident in surface, cable routing and shading in the field.

Installation & Mounting Notes


Flexible panels install differently from rigid glass modules. They are usually bonded or attached close to the surface, so heat, expansion and water management need more attention than with a raised rail system. Good planning here makes the difference between a two-year panel and one that runs for many seasons.

  • Surface and curvature: Confirm that your roof or deck curvature is within the panel’s allowed bend radius and that the substrate is clean, dry and structurally sound.
  • Adhesive vs. mechanical fixing: Many users bond panels directly and add a few low-profile fasteners or edge strips for security. On hotter roofs or where airflow is critical, you can combine flexible modules with low-profile hardware from the Solar Panel Bracket collection to introduce a small air gap.
  • Heat and shading: Dark, unventilated roofs run hot. Avoid mounting directly over insulation voids or exhausts, and keep vents, antennas and roof racks from casting regular shadows across the cells.
  • Cable entry and strain relief: Use proper glands, drip loops and strain relief so movement, vibration and water cannot stress the junction box or cable terminations.


For mobile projects such as vans, trailers and expedition rigs, a common pattern is a low-profile roof array for “drive and park” charging plus a small portable kit for shaded camps, as described in our Camping & Overlanding guide. On boats, careful layout around hatches and winches—as shown in the Marine & Yacht examples—helps balance harvest with safe movement on deck.

OEM & Custom Flexible Panel Solutions


If you are designing a product line or repeating the same installation across many vehicles or hulls, a standard kit is often more valuable than a one-off installation. In those cases, the flexible panel becomes part of your own system: shaped to your roof or deck, matched to your controller and wiring, and documented so technicians can install and service it consistently.

LinkSolar’s engineering team can take the lessons from this ready-made flexible range and turn them into a dedicated module for your platform—defining size, voltage, connector layout and mounting approach for your specific surface. To see how that process works in more detail, and when an OEM laminate makes sense over off-the-shelf panels, visit our Custom Flexible Solar Panels page and share a brief on your target power, geometry and environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where do flexible solar panels make the most sense?

Flexible panels are best on curved or weight-sensitive surfaces where framed glass modules are awkward or too heavy: RV and campervan roofs, biminis and hardtops on boats, expedition trailers, thin metal skins and some industrial enclosures. If you have a large, flat, easy-to-drill roof, rigid panels often remain the better choice.

How long do flexible solar panels typically last?

Service life depends heavily on materials, installation and temperature. Panels built with quality encapsulation and ETFE front sheets, mounted on stable surfaces and kept reasonably cool, can run for many seasons. Most premature failures come from heat build-up, poor bonding, wrong bend radius, trapped moisture or cables that move and stress the laminate or junction box over time.

Are flexible solar panels as efficient as rigid panels?

High-end flexible modules using premium cells can reach efficiencies close to many rigid panels of similar class, especially when kept cool and unshaded. However, they usually trade a little efficiency for low weight and flexibility. When roof or deck space is tight, you often gain more by improving placement, tilt and shading than by chasing the last few percent of panel efficiency.

Can I walk on flexible solar panels?

Standard flexible panels are not designed as permanent walking surfaces unless they are specifically rated and installed for that purpose. Light, occasional access may be tolerated on some laminates, but regular foot traffic, hard shoes or dropped gear can damage cells or crack solder joints. Where people must move regularly, keep walkways clear of panels or use dedicated, walkable designs and protective paths.

How much can I bend a flexible panel?

Every flexible laminate has a minimum bend radius. Bending tighter than this can create invisible stress that later shows up as cracks, delamination or hot spots. As a rule, panels should follow gentle curves rather than sharp edges or steps, and the surface underneath should be smooth and well supported. Always follow the product-specific guidance on curvature and mounting.

Do flexible panels need airflow behind them?

Yes, managing heat matters. Bonded panels sit close to the surface, so they tend to run hotter than raised glass modules. Good practice is to avoid the hottest spots on a roof, keep light-colored substrates when possible, and design for at least some lateral airflow. In hot climates, even a small air gap or thermal spacer can improve both output and long-term reliability.

How should I clean and maintain flexible solar panels?

Clean flexible panels with a soft cloth or sponge, water and mild detergent if needed—no abrasive pads, harsh chemicals or high-pressure jets at close range. Periodically check for loose edges, bubbles, discoloration, cable strain and dirt that collects at the leading edge. Catching and correcting small issues early usually prevents larger failures later.

When should I choose flexible panels instead of rigid ones?

Choose flexible panels when weight, curved geometry, low profile or limited mounting options outweigh the advantages of a framed glass module. Typical triggers are height limits on vehicles, gelcoat decks you prefer not to drill, aerodynamic concerns and surfaces broken up by hatches and vents. When you have a strong, flat, open area and no tight clearance limits, rigid panels with brackets will often be more economical.

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