I have two of the "lightweight" panels (as they call them now, since it turns out bending them doesn't work that well). I went in with eyes wide open as I had read the findings by AM Solar about the cupping, etc. I "needed" them because I carry them inside the rig and set them out when I stop. I'd have a hard time doing that with traditional panels.
However, traditional (metal/glass) panels are much, MUCH more heavy duty. I will be putting some of those on my roof. I have babied the lightweight panels (carry them in fleece plus original box in van), plus always prop them up outside (air flow underneath) and yet I have still had two failures. One was a diode box overheating/melting, and the other still works but there are holes in the plastic. I think these may have occurred when one time one panel flipped over (it was resting on the ground already, but flopped face down in a wind moment). They are cupping as well (even though they are the ones with the "heavier" plastic) and the plastic surface shows other marks and scratches (I only clean them with a copious amount water and non-abrasive cloth).
The other issue is you almost can't get them right now. I looked around when my one panel failed this fall. Grape apparently wants to continue to import them but something about the importing of a certain part may not happen for another year (China). Renogy is supposedly re-designing theirs to be more heavy duty and the new ones are not out yet.
If I were putting panels on the roof and there were any way I could go with the glass/metal panels I would (and in fact I will be doing that on my roof). I went with them because there is no way I'm fitting two glass panels behind my seat, and carrying them in and out would not be that fun either. I do like having "ground" panels because I can park in the shade and put them in the sun.
There are some high end lightweight panels from folks like Solbian and Aurinco, but they are in a whole 'nother league, dollar-wise. They are popular on boats where some people basically sew them onto exterior canvas sun shades and etc.
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