Thin Film Solar

[jives]

Not much talk, especially recent talk, on thin film solar and the peel 'n stick film that can be applied directly on metal panels. I'm looking at the gable end of my garage and estimate about 220 sq ft of south facing photovoltaic potential. Peel, stick, plug in. . . couldn't be simpler, right?!! Perhaps 2KW system plugged into a battery system for backup?

Anyone done such a thing? Anyone stick thin film solar over external fastener ribbed panels?

 

[tyme2par4]

Thin film panels tend to have lower efficiency and degrade faster. The benefit of framed panels is they allow air flow under the panel to help cool them. Heat is the enemy, and you lose power as they get hotter.

 

[Solarphil]

The company that made those modules went belly up years ago. It was an idea that might have sounded good, but didn’t pan out in real world.

 

[Sumboodie]

I'm happy with my Canadian Solar panels and Enphase inverters. Setup in 2012.

 

[dcg9381]

Perhaps 2KW system plugged into a battery system for backup?

Anyone done such a thing? Anyone stick thin film solar over external fastener ribbed panels?

Wonder how well they stick long term? I'm with others, just use traditional panels where you can adjust for the ribs.
What sort of battery system you plugging it in to? 2KW is a big charge station. But for backup power, you'll need a big bank and a decent sized inverter. Even here in TX, it's not atypical to have 3 days that are overcast. IMHO (even as a solar installer) a mid-sized generator is the go-to for backup power.

 

[jives]

OP here. . .
I've already got standard panels on the house roof, about 8,000kW, grid tied, no battery backup. Payoff should be done in 2 years, with about 10 more years of warranty after that. At about that time we will likely need a new roof. So, pondering solar shingles, thin film applied over standing seam metal roofing, and then wondering if the garage could be used as a PV collector.