Flexible solar modules are generally less efficient than traditional rigid solar panels. This difference arises mainly from the materials and technologies used in flexible modules, such as thin-film photovoltaics (amorphous silicon), which have lower conversion efficiency compared to the crystalline silicon used in traditional panels.
On average, traditional rigid solar panels have efficiencies around 22%, while flexible solar modules typically have efficiencies around 8%. However, flexible panels are improving, with some advancements bringing them closer to the efficiency of traditional panels​.
Despite the efficiency gap, flexible solar panels offer other advantages:
- Versatility: They can be installed on surfaces where rigid panels cannot be.
- Lightweight: Easier to transport and install.
- Durability: Less prone to breakage due to their flexibility.