[ctgottapee]

not on my car, but as a little side project for the home. I'm generating my home's base load to lower my power prices a bit - grid tie is not allowed here so I can't go higher.


They are flexible but thick, and would be impossible to flex in multiple directions. Unless the surface was flat and square, you might have problems keeping the edges down with the wind wanting to tear them back off - the edges won't round, just bend in one axis, and will have some variances from the center of the panel.
There are cheaper much thinner panels but they don't generate much of anything. I have one in my car on the dash as a battery maintainer.

If you have ever tried to put window film on a car window, just imagine it being thick as plexiglass and trying to get it flat and all the bubbles out.

The best way I can describe it is think of them as the thickest posterboard you've ever seen, heavy laminated on both sides BUT it doesn't give/crease like a posterboard would. They are tough so it wouldn't hurt the panel to try if you can use them elsewhere if it doesn't work. I'm not sure about cutting them, it should work as each cell is touted as being separately wired so it doesn't die with shading.

One issue I'm having is keeping them clean. If not mounted at a steep angle, rain water sticks to them more than a glass panel, thus leaving dirt behind.
Also as they are not meant for continuous bombardment (road debri, bugs, etc at 70mph) I would guess the plastic film would dent/deform a bit losing further efficiency. Just think about all the nicks and scratches on your car, or tar spots; it wouldn't break the panel but damage that portion beyond any repair. I've noticed a few dents and nicks in mine.


They do produce - at peak - the power they are rated for, but if you lay them flat you are far from optimal solar gain, and then you'll have the losses from conversion to 12volts. Remember they can reach 45v+ so electrocuting yourself is a possibility.