HQRP 6W Mono-crystalline Flexible Solar Panel 6 Watt Power 12V DC Battery Charger w/ 4 Stainless Gro

I've been using this panel for about a month now and it's been great overall. It's been through high winds, thunder storms, soaking rain and just about everything else with no major problems. The only problem I've had is the corners rolling up a little from it taking a few short falls. Repairing them was a simple as bending the back with my hands.

I use this panel primarily to run small 12 volt fans and charge up small batteries.....for that purpose it's a great panel. If you need this panel to charge your car sized battery, multiple panels or a single larger one will be necessary. The panel comes with around 22 inches of cable, so you will need to provide additional cable if your running the power into your house or garage. I found no problem just hooking up some alligator clips, since I Primarily use the panel for outdoors.

I picked this panel because of it's small size,flexibility of 30 degrees, price and light 11 ounce weight. It can be mounted to your backpack or to a tree for camping and other outdoor uses. It come with 4 metal grommets and some adhesive backed Velcro for permanent or temporary mounting to a roof of some other type of structure. I myself just loosely mount it on my deck, bu propping it against a flower pot (explains why mine got beat up a little....totally my fault). The panel puts out around 20 volts open circuit at around 350-400 milliamps. This is right in line with what a new 6 watt panel should put out. After a month of use, I am still getting similar readings from the panel.

As for charging times, that will depend on what you are using the panel with. I use mine with small jump starter battery packs up to 10 amp hours. It has no problem charging them in about a day of good sunlight. I will note that my power packs come with regulators built in, so no charge controller was necessary. If you are charging a 12 volt battery directly, you will need a charge controller (A $20 device). I also like to run a small 12 volt auto fan from the panel. The fan is rated for 7 watts, but the panel is close enough to run the fan at nearly full power in good sunlight.

One thing about this panel is that it won't be as long lasting as a standard fixed frame and glass panel. It's made out of a thin aluminum backing, laminated plastic front cover and is flexible. The expected life of it if left out 24/7 is 3 years. Some people have gotten 10 years out of similar panels, but compared to the fixed frames, which last 25 years this one is not as durable. I still like this panel for its light weight and small price. I would definitely recommend this to someone who needs solar for hiking or other outdoors stuff.