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2026 Industry Update: We have updated our manufacturer directory and added a technical selection matrix to help procurement managers and DIY enthusiasts save time. This guide now includes data on N-Type cells, CIGS technology, and ETFE durability to ensure you choose the most reliable power solution for 2026.
Flexible solar panels, made of cells compressed on layers of durable material, are revolutionizing energy capture on curved and irregular surfaces. Unlike traditional rigid panels, these thin modules can bend (typically up to 30 degrees for crystalline or up to 258 degrees for specialized thin-film), making them ideal for boats, RVs, and Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV).
2026 Technical Comparison of Leading Flexible Solar Panel Manufacturers
1. SunPower Corporation
Founded in 1985
Based in San Jose, California, USA
Products and services: Flexible solar panels, rigid solar panels, solar cells, solar modules, solar systems, energy storage, energy management, software and services
Company introduction: SunPower Corporation is a global leader in solar technology and innovation. It designs, manufactures and delivers the highest efficiency and most reliable solar products in the industry. SunPower's flexible solar panels are made of Maxeon® solar cells that have an efficiency rating of up to 22%. They are lightweight, easy to install and can bend up to 30 degrees. SunPower's flexible solar panels are ideal for home and outdoor use, as well as for commercial and industrial applications.
Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Contact: +1 800-786-7693 or customerservice@sunpower.com
2. PowerFilm Solar Inc
Founded in 1988
Based in Ames, Iowa, USA
Products and services: Flexible solar panels, rollable solar panels, foldable solar panels, custom solar solutions
Company introduction: PowerFilm Solar Inc is a pioneer and leader in flexible thin-film solar technology. It specializes in designing, manufacturing and assembling custom solar solutions for various markets and applications. PowerFilm's flexible solar panels are made of amorphous silicon that can bend up to 20 degrees. They are lightweight, durable and weatherproof. PowerFilm's flexible solar panels are suitable for military, marine, consumer electronics, IoT, automotive and aerospace applications.
Website: https://www.powerfilmsolar.com/
Contact: +1 515-292-7606 or sales@powerfilmsolar.com
3. Ascent Solar Technologies Inc
Founded in 2005
Based in Thornton, Colorado, USA
Products and services: Flexible solar panels, portable solar chargers, custom solar solutions
Company introduction: Ascent Solar Technologies Inc is a developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules. It uses a proprietary manufacturing process that deposits copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) on a flexible plastic substrate. Ascent's flexible solar panels have an efficiency rating of up to 12%. They are lightweight, rugged and versatile. Ascent's flexible solar panels are designed for consumer electronics, military, emergency response, aerospace and transportation applications.
Website: https://www.ascentsolar.com/
Contact: +1 720-872-5000 or info@ascentsolar.com
4. Global Solar Energy Inc
Founded in 1996
Based in Tucson, Arizona, USA
Products and services: Flexible solar panels, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), custom solar solutions
Company introduction: Global Solar Energy Inc is a leading manufacturer of flexible thin-film solar modules. It uses a proprietary manufacturing process that deposits copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) on a flexible stainless steel substrate. Global Solar's flexible solar panels have an efficiency rating of up to 13.5%. They are lightweight, durable and adaptable. Global Solar's flexible solar panels are ideal for BIPV, roofing, shading, RVs, boats, tents and backpacks.
Website: https://www.globalsolar.com/
Contact: +1 520-546-6313 or info@globalsolar.com
5. MiaSolé Hi-Tech Corp
Founded in 2004
Based in Santa Clara, California, USA
Products and services: Flexible solar panels, rigid solar panels, custom solar solutions
Company introduction: MiaSolé Hi-Tech Corp is a subsidiary of Hanergy Thin Film Power Group, a global leader in thin-film solar technology. It produces high-performance flexible and rigid CIGS solar modules using a roll-to-roll manufacturing process. MiaSolé's flexible solar panels have an efficiency rating of up to 17%. They are lightweight, flexible and easy to install. MiaSolé's flexible solar panels are suitable for BIPV, roofing, carports, transportation, agriculture and off-grid applications.
Key Advantage: Their FLEX-03W module delivers up to 530 Watts, making it the world's most powerful flexible solar module for commercial roofing
Website: https://miasole.com/
Contact: +1 408-240-5500 or sales@miasole.com
6. Solarmer Energy Inc
Founded in 2006
Based in El Monte, California, USA
Products and services: Flexible solar panels, organic photovoltaics (OPV), custom solar solutions
Company introduction: Solarmer Energy Inc is a developer and manufacturer of flexible organic solar panels. It uses a proprietary technology that combines organic materials with nanostructures to create high-efficiency OPV cells. Solarmer's flexible solar panels have an efficiency rating of up to 10%. They are lightweight, transparent and colorful. Solarmer's flexible solar panels are designed for consumer electronics, smart windows, wearable devices and IoT applications.
Website: https://www.solarmer.com/
Contact: +1 626-456-8090 or info@solarmer.com
7. Renogy LLC
Founded in 2010
Based in Ontario, California, USA
Products and services: Flexible solar panels, rigid solar panels, solar kits, solar accessories
Company introduction: Renogy LLC is a provider of affordable and reliable solar products for various applications. It offers a wide range of flexible and rigid monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels with different power ratings and sizes. Renogy's flexible solar panels have an efficiency rating of up to 17.3%. They are lightweight, bendable and water-resistant. Renogy's flexible solar panels are perfect for RVs, cabins, boats and off-grid systems.
Website: https://www.renogy.com/
Contact: +1 909-287-7111 or sales@renogy.com
8. WindyNation Inc
Founded in 2009
Based in Ventura, California, USA
Products and services: Flexible solar panels, rigid solar panels, solar kits, wind turbines
Company introduction: WindyNation Inc is a supplier of renewable energy products for home and business use. It offers a variety of flexible and rigid monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels with different power ratings and sizes. WindyNation's flexible solar panels have an efficiency rating of up to 15%. They are lightweight, bendable and waterproof. WindyNation's flexible solar panels are ideal for RVs, boats, camping and off-grid systems.
Website: https://www.windynation.com/
Contact: +1 805-323-6445 or support@windynation.com
Buying & Installation Guide
1. Material Matters: ETFE vs. PET Always choose ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) for long-term outdoor use. It offers better light transmission, UV resistance, and weather durability compared to cheaper PET plastics that degrade and yellow over time.
2. The "Sandwich" Installation Method To prevent overheating on RV roofs, do not glue panels directly to metal. Use a polycarbonate twin-wall sheet (8mm) to create an air gap, or mount them on an aluminum base to dissipate heat and prevent cell cracking.
3. Maintenance Tips
• Cleaning: Use fresh water and neutral soap with a microfiber cloth.
• Avoid Pressure Washers: High pressure can damage delicate cell layers.
• No Walking: Unless specifically certified (like certain SOLBIAN or Merlin models), walking on panels causes micro-cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I mix flexible and rigid solar panels?
A: Yes, provided the specifications (voltage) match. Panels with the same voltage but different wattage can be wired in parallel without issues.
Q: Do they produce power on cloudy days?
A: Yes. High-quality modules (especially CIGS and TOPCon) have excellent low-light performance, capturing a wider spectrum of light during dawn, dusk, or overcast conditions.
Q: How long is the warranty?
A: Flexible panels generally have shorter warranties than rigid ones. For example, Sunpro Power offers a 2-year quality assurance and 5-year power warranty, compared to the industry-standard 25 years for rigid glass panels.
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Transparency & Responsibility: We take full responsibility for the authenticity of the manufacturing data and technical specs provided in this article. However, as solar projects vary by environment and scale, we advise that specific collaborations require direct communication and technical vetting between parties.
Conclusion
The above are 8 relatively powerful flexible solar panel manufacturers. They have rich experience in the field of solar panel manufacturing. If your project requires this type of solar panel, please contact us.
