Renogy 160-Watt 12-Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel Review

Overall Rating 9
Portability 9
Compatibility 9
Durability 9
Ease of Use 8
Value for Money 7

Aniket

Written by qualified solar engineer Aniket. Last updated:

Our Verdict

Flexible solar panels are relatively new to the photovoltaic scene and also have a higher cost, making a lot of manufacturers stay away from them. But Renogy has made a noteworthy attempt in this department. Their 160W, 12V flexible panel is built from flexible monocrystalline cells that impart higher efficiency and remarkable flexibility of up to 248 degrees.

This is a great panel for you if you need frequent off-grid power generation but not at the cost of handling heavy weights. If, however, weight and space aren’t big concerns, here’s a list of other popular portable solar panels we have created for you. Keep reading this Renogy 160-watt 12 volt flexible monocrystalline solar panel review for a more detailed overview.

Where To Buy

Compatibility

This panel comes with a 12V rating which makes it as compatible with 12V devices as any traditional 12V rated panel in the market. The cables end with press-fitting MC4 connectors that connect it to a variety of charge controllers or inverters. It is totally capable of powering Renogy’s power stations and can do it in a few hours.

Durability

Traditional panels have their front-side sporting a permanent glass that is forever open to natural elements as well as the hazards of transportation. Flexible panels solve this problem by eliminating the glass, ending up with zero brittle components. This makes the panels super-durable. Besides this, the lamination is good quality and the junction boxes are water-resistant, making the panel sufficiently weather-proof. Renogy have also made a more durable but less flexible 160 watt version which is the Renogy 160 watt 12 volt monocrystalline solar panel.

Ease Of Use

Using the Renogy 160W 12V panel is noticeably simpler than using traditional rigid panels. A major reason is the ease of carrying it around. It’s extremely low weight of about 6 lbs. makes handling it a breeze. The setting up is equally easy, owing to the MC4 connectors.

Side facing Renogy 160 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Features

The flexible yet efficient monocrystalline cells are the most attractive feature of this panel and it almost overshadows the importance of other features. The laminated front sheet has a surface that is not glossy, aiding in maximum absorption of photons in the sunlight. The panel is waterproof and can also handle nearly all levels of shock. It can be flexed to an impressive 248 degrees, making it easy to set up on non-flat surfaces such as a curved roof.

Design

The flexibility of this solar panel is definitely what catches the eye first. It can flex to a very good extent. Besides that, the panel design in terms of color and shapes is fairly ordinary. It is a white and black-blue solar panel with black junction boxes. The only difference from traditional solar panels here is that the junction boxes are two instead of one and the lie on the front side of the panel instead of the rear. This facilitates pasting of the panel on a variety of surfaces.

An image showing the different parts of a Renogy 160 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel

What We Like

Solar panels have come a long way and have seen a series of interesting developments, but Renogy’s flexible panels hold the potential to become a milestone. The 160W panel with a 12V rating is a decently sized, amazingly light and flexible panel. The build-quality is top-notch and the features are minimal yet complete. Even for the slightly higher price tag compared to regular panels, this is a great product to own.

Pros:

  • Highly flexible body
  • Ultrathin section
  • Extremely light weight and durable

Cons:

  • Higher cost of flexible cells

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