PowerFLEX is the name given to this range of flexible solar panels that are suitable for use on flat roofs anywhere. The technology that allows production of such thin, lightweight and flexible panels also allows solar panels to be incorporated into materials, to allow them to be part of items such as roofing tiles or similar. These flexible solar panels can help households reap the benefits of solar power with less of the instillation hassles.
PowerFLEX has been created by Global Solar to provide lightweight highly efficient solar panels that are suitable for any roof shape. Due to their thin and flexible design these solar panels do not require the bulky framework that is usually associated with adding solar panels to a roof, this also allows a greater coverage of a roof with solar paneling.
PowerFLEX is made from thin-film photovoltaic Copper Indium Gallium DiSelenide (CIGS) solar cells. This CIGS solar material is the key to producing highly efficient solar panels that are lightweight and flexible. It is this quality that allows the material to be installed with significantly less hassle than standard polycrystalline silicon panels that require racks. The PowerFLEX material can be quickly and easily rolled onto any flat roof, covering it entirely if required without needed the additional space racks can take up. The lightness also helps to allow them to be installed without the same compilations that can occur with the polycrystalline silicon panels. The material can also be build into items such as roof tiles to be incorporated into the construction of a property rather than only being something that is added on later.
PowerFLEX should help to make the instillation of solar panels to buildings a significantly easier process. Thought to cost a similar amount as the standard polycrystalline silicon panels, the flexible panels should be able to provide a better coverage of a roof and so provide a user with more electricity for their money. These efficient, thin and lightweight solar panels should help to simplify the process of converting to solar energy.
Source: Global Solar