The Lowdown
If you’re searching for a lightweight solar option that is nearly unbreakable and can even be mounted on curved surfaces, I highly recommend the Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel. Improved charging performance in low-light situations can be crucial for off-grid setups or extended power outages; this panel delivers. Even though it costs a bit more than a traditional solar panel offering the same wattage, depending on your needs, you may find that premium well worth paying.
Overall
Pros
- A truly flexible solar panel that can even be mounted on curved surfaces
- Lightweight
- Ruggedly built
- Amazing low-light performance
Cons
In the last six months, I’ve covered and studied a lot of alternative energy products. BougeRV recently invited me to look at their Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel. This is my first time using a truly flexible thin film solar panel, and I have to say it exceeded my expectations. Is it something that would work for your setup? Read on to find out.
The Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel is a durable solar cell that can be rolled up and placed on curved surfaces without breaking. CIGS stands for Copper Indium Gallium Selenide and is the technology behind making a truly flexible solar panel.
Several features set this thin film panel apart from traditional flexible and rigid panels. Traditional flexible panels can gently bend but are still heavy and break easily. Traditional rigid panels have a definite use case, but they are also quite heavy and can be damaged easily; they also need a flat surface to be mounted.
When I say the Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel bends, I mean that it can roll up like a poster. The panel is much lighter and thinner than I expected, and it responds like a thick piece of paper.
The Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel measures 26″ wide by 85.6″ long, so it is a rather large rectangle. The flexibility and weight make this perfect for special installations on top of a vehicle or the curved edges of an RV or travel trailer. It can also be fitted to a flat surface and not be affected by the wind.
While the Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel is longer than I expected it to be, the ease of use and weight make this a non-issue. The mind-blowing spec is that the panel only measures .06″ thick; it truly is an engineering marvel.
While the panel is light and very flexible, it still feels rugged, and I haven’t been concerned about damaging it during use. These flexible panels can actually be walked on or driven over and still work! And if any of the cells are damaged, the rest still work fine.
The back of the solar panel includes a strong adhesive for easy installation. I have not permanently mounted the panel yet to keep my options open, but the sticky material seems strong enough to attach without worries for a long-term installation.
The junction box is low profile with a rugged design and includes IP68 waterproof standard solar connectors.
The connections worked flawlessly, and when attached to the Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel, my battery immediately began receiving power. The CIGS technology claims to perform better in low light or with shadows, and my goal was to test this and see if it was true.
We connected the panel to one of my solar generators and began getting power. With it being early evening, I was not expecting 200w of input, but figured I could get half that. We lifted the panel toward the direction of the setting sun, and I was amazed by the performance.
As you can see in this photo, the Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel inputted a solid 148 watts. Many panels do not perform this well, even with direct midday sunlight! This flexible solar panel provides an amazing amount of power even in lower light settings; I’m excited to see what it can do once it’s installed on my travel trailer.
The Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel is an amazing piece of technology. While it is on the larger side, the ability to roll it up or install it on curved surfaces is a game changer. This is easily one of the best-performing solar panels I have ever used. This technology can be used in almost any situation, and the adhesive makes it easy to install anywhere.
Granted, it’s more expensive than traditional panels that offer the same wattage, but if you need this kind of flexibility, it’s the perfect option.
If you’re searching for a lightweight solar option that is nearly unbreakable and can even be mounted on curved surfaces, I highly recommend the Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel. Improved charging performance in low-light situations can be crucial for off-grid setups or extended power outages; this panel delivers. Even though it costs a bit more than a traditional solar panel offering the same wattage, depending on your needs, you may find that premium well worth paying.
The Yuma 200W CIGS Flexible Solar Panel retails for $579; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: A truly flexible solar panel that can even be mounted on curved surfaces; Lightweight; Ruggedly built; Amazing low-light performance
What Needs Improvement: Nothing so far!
This is great technology! When production costs eventually go down, it may be competitive for fixed installations simply because of the ease of installation.