Why Are Rigid Lightweight Panels a Big Deal???
At LightLeaf solar, we use some cool materials and innovative techniques to make our solar panels rigid and light. You can buy light, flexible solar panels. You can buy heavy rigid glass panels. We are the only company in the world that can give you both rigid and light. Why is this a big deal?
We use aerospace-style carbon/foam composite construction to make monolithically molded solar panels. You can stand on them.
Here is why this is important?
Versatile Mounting options
A rigid panel opens up a plethora of mounting options. You are not stuck with pasting it down, or attaching it to a flat rack. You can utilize the strong edge flanges, make quick release hardware for deployable panels, build-in hinges and latches. This makes the solar panel work for you, and not the other way around. Here is a good example:
Durability
Monocrystalline solar cells do not like to be bent. Especially repeatedly. In fact, here is the warning included in the user manual of a very popular semi flexible solar panel:
Really??? 10 degrees Max??? Here is what a 10 degree curve looks like:
I doubt if you could remove this from the packaging without bending it that much. Not to mention subsequent installation, use, and (heaven forbid) if it ever starts to flap in the wind.
LightLeaf’s panels are an incredibly rigid carbon/foam sandwich. This protects the cell array from damage. It’s as simple as that.
“Lightweighting” things that move
Our panels are meant for things that move—Automotive, RV and Marine. Even if you are just lugging it around on your own, weight matters, especially up high—where solar panels are normally located. On the top of trailers, Bimini canopies, or the roofs of trucks.
Which would you rather have on your roof?? LightLeaf’s are 4x lighter.
One conventional solar panel weighs equivalent to four LightLeaf solar panels.
Better panel cooling
Flexible panels are almost invariably pasted onto a solid insulated surface. This does not allow heat to transfer away, causing lower panel efficiencies and shorter life. If the panel is rigid, it can be mounted with an air gap quite easily – increasing cooling, efficiency and life. Something like these deployable, quick release panels:
Build it in, Don’t paste it on
Up until now, solar panels have always been an afterthought pasted on an existing thing. And normally, it looks that way. Because our panels are strong, you can build things from them. Make the roof out of a solar panel, rather than making a roof and adding a solar panel. Make the lid of a bicycle trailer from the solar panel, rather than gluing it on later. This saves weight, cost and it looks like it was meant to be. Here is a good example: A window guard that is a solar panel.
