Flinsail: a cool new way to do solar

[Na Mara]

The Flinsail came up in my thread on wind and solar. The company just got back to me with a quote (5000€) for their 600W system. So as this is a real product you can buy and as it’s such a clever idea I figured it deserved its own thread.



https://flin-solar.com/flinsail

I for one am struggling to come up with a reason not to go this route for my power needs on the hook.

[Pete7]

Interesting, but my personal experience with both cheap and expensive semi flexible panels isn't good.

Might be easier to make long thin panels and glue to the mast.

Pete

[Anders]

€5000 for 600W? I'll pass.
I assume you can only use them in light winds.
Flexible panels don't last for long specially if they are allowed to flex.

[japawil]

Originally Posted by Na Mara

The Flinsail came up in my thread on wind and solar. The company just got back to me with a quote (5000€) for their 600W system. So as this is a real product you can buy and as it’s such a clever idea I figured it deserved its own thread.



https://flin-solar.com/flinsail

I for one am struggling to come up with a reason not to go this route for my power needs on the hook.

Wow, that comes out to about €8.33/W
Isn’t that about 7x the going rate/W?!
Granted there’s mounting hardware included (I assume), but ….wow!

[japawil]

Especially since it can’t be used while sailing.[emoji853]

[Deep Blue Water]

FIVE thousand Euros? Holy cow. You could build a small solar arch on the stern and attach standard panels for less...

[Na Mara]

5000 € is a lot less than an arch with 600w of panels plus controllers wiring and installation. This installation is instead of a solar arch.

Panels on arches typically don’t tilt for maximum insolation.

600W of effective solar that can’t be used in storms and underway is still 600W of solar that can be used 85% of the time on most boats.

Quality euro semi flex panels are 7-8€ per watt. I got a quote for a glued to the deck installation of 300W and it was 2000€ installed and functioning. Sure you can do it cheaper with Chinese panels but if you want them to last more than one season you need to spend a bit more.

I think the Flinsail is a great idea. Longevity of the panels might be an issue, but then this isn’t a system that is out in all weathers all the time. Also the top and bottom panels are in rigid frames and so don’t flex. Even if the other 4 do flex I don’t see that as much different to being sown into Bimini canvas.

[jt11791]

I like the idea, but the price seems way out of line for what you get. Maybe copy the design yourself? Those panels will be less than 200 each, maybe 500 more for the MPPT controller.

[Na Mara]

There is a bit more to the system than the panels and the controller. There’s the custom sliders, the panel frames, the articulated connections between the sliders and the panels, the lines, the clutches, the wiring and the labor to put it altogether in a practical package. Also 1000 of the 5000 is German VAT ( if you think that’s bad, Swedish VAT is 25%!!). Compared to a similarly powerful arch, VAT and installation included, I think this is good value for money.

[jack4566]

Hell no..flexible panels are already bad to start with. Low efficiency and low lifespan. PLUS, if you flex them repeatedly they will wear out even faster.

[boatpoker]

Where the hell do you store all that crap when you put the sails up and how long does it take to get them up, down deployed/stowed ?

[Franziska]

Seems much to complicated to set up and to inefficient in the power to price ratio.
We did just install 1200W and paid about 500€ for all the three rigid 400W panels together.
Admittingly space to mount them was not an issue.

[japawil]

Originally Posted by Na Mara

There is a bit more to the system than the panels and the controller. There’s the custom sliders, the panel frames, the articulated connections between the sliders and the panels, the lines, the clutches, the wiring and the labor to put it altogether in a practical package. Also 1000 of the 5000 is German VAT ( if you think that’s bad, Swedish VAT is 25%!!). Compared to a similarly powerful arch, VAT and installation included, I think this is good value for money.

Granted, there’s more than just the panels.
Most of the extra components are the parts that would make it untenable for me.

Now you need space below to store the setup, and have to run it up the mast, connect the wiring…and anytime you want to actually sail anywhere, disconnect the wiring, run it back down the mast and store away 6 panels.

If you want something for just adding some juice while at anchor or moored, I would probably opt for a couple suitcase style fold up kits. They would be easier to deploy and could at least have an option of being secured and used while sailing..at least in good weather. They could also be set up forward. If the sun is forward of the mast you wouldn’t have shade right down the middle of all you panels. All for I’m sure much less expense.

[Knotical]

Why do you have to hang them up the mast, if they are only used at anchor can’t one lay em down on deck - will save on windage and cost.

Most cruisers want to produce electricity while underway also, this system prevents that.

[Jim Cate]

Two questions:

1. What is the warranty period and exactly what is covered?

2. Does the vendor have a track record? Ie, are they likely to be around through the warranty period and have the resources to make good on any failures?

I hate to be so paranoid, but semi-flex panels don't have a good reliability reputation, and this setup is damned expensive... too expensive for a unwarranted experiment IMO. Of course, they claim that their panels will last, but so do all the other vendors... and they often do not do so well in the real world.

Frankly, it does not look all that promising to me.

Jim