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A campsite at dusk, a phone with a dead battery, and a fridge in an RV that needs power through the night: that is the moment most people start asking about solar panel types. Solar panel types differ mainly in how the panel is built and where it fits, not in what the sun does. Rigid panels use glass and a metal frame, flexible panels bend to a curved surface, and bifacial panels gather light from both faces. The sections below explain each type in plain terms, with stated figures from a rigid panel listing to show what the numbers on a listing mean.
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Solar panel types at a glance
These builds cover most home, RV and off-grid uses. Rigid panels suit fixed roofs and frames, flexible panels suit curved or weight-sensitive surfaces, and bifacial panels suit open mounts where light can hit the rear face. The table below sums up the build of each type; the rigid row uses figures the listing states, while the other rows carry no stated figures from the listing compared, so they stay descriptive.
| Type | Build | Stated figure |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid | Tempered glass over cells in an aluminum frame | 200W, 25.5% conversion efficiency |
| Flexible | Cells laminated in a bendable sheet, no glass frame | Not stated |
| Bifacial | Cells open to light on both faces | Not stated |
Rigid panels
A rigid panel is the familiar glass rectangle on a frame, and it is the type the reference listing describes in detail. The TOPRAY Solar listing states a 200W rigid panel with N-Type TOPCon monocrystalline cells and 18-busbar technology, at up to 25.5% conversion efficiency. It measures 46.8 inches by 34.4 inches by 1.2 inches and weighs 23.2 lb, with 3.2 mm tempered glass and a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame. The listing states IP65 protection, a wind load of up to 2400 Pa and a snow load of up to 5400 Pa, plus a service life of up to 30 years and at least 85.7% power output after 25 years. A 10-year warranty backs it.
Rigid panels fit roofs, racks and ground mounts, where a flat, firm surface holds the frame. The listing states MC4-compatible connectors with 35.4 in 12AWG PV cables and pre-drilled 1/4 in mounting holes, and built-in bypass diodes in the junction box that help reduce hot-spot damage from partial shading. See the best solar panel mounting kits for frame options, and the best 200W solar panel kits with MPPT controller for matched kits.
Flexible panels
A flexible panel drops the glass and frame, so it bends to a curved roof or deck and sits low on the surface. That build suits vans, boats and curved RV roofs where a rigid rectangle would not sit flat. The listing compared here states no figures for a flexible panel, so this section stays descriptive: check the maker stated weight, bend limit and mounting method before choosing a panel, and pair it with a controller and cables the maker lists as compatible. See the best flexible solar panel kits with MPPT controller and the flexible vs glass solar panel comparison for more detail.
Bifacial panels
A bifacial panel gathers light on both faces, so the rear face adds output when light bounces off a bright surface below it. That build suits open ground mounts and raised frames with clear space behind the panel, rather than a dark roof that shades the rear face. The listing compared here states no figures for a bifacial panel, so no output figure is given here. See the best bifacial solar panels for a shed for a use case with open space around the panel.
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells
Cell type is a separate choice from panel build. Monocrystalline cells come from a single crystal, and the reference listing uses N-Type TOPCon monocrystalline cells with 18-busbar technology at up to 25.5% conversion efficiency. Polycrystalline cells come from many crystals cast together, and they usually cost less per watt for the same panel size, though the listing compared here states no polycrystalline figure. Match the cell type to your roof space and your controller input, not to the cell name alone.
How to choose solar panel types
Start with the surface and the system, then check the figures. A rigid panel needs a flat mount and room for a 46.8 inch by 34.4 inch frame, while a flexible panel needs a smooth curve it can follow. Match the panel to the system voltage: the reference listing suits 12V and 24V off-grid systems, with panels in parallel for 12V systems and in series for compatible 24V systems. Check the cable length against the run to the controller, since the listing states 35.4 in cables, and check the mounting holes, stated at 1/4 in, against the brackets you plan to use. See the 12V vs 24V solar panel comparison and the portable vs fixed solar panel comparison before you decide.
FAQ: power away from the grid
Which solar panel type fits an RV roof?
A rigid panel fits a flat RV roof with room for its frame: the reference listing measures 46.8 inches by 34.4 inches by 1.2 inches and weighs 23.2 lb. A flexible panel fits a curved roof where a rigid frame would not sit flat.
What does 25.5% efficiency mean on a panel listing?
The listing states up to 25.5% conversion efficiency for its N-Type TOPCon monocrystalline cells, which is the share of sunlight the maker states the cells turn into power. It also states at least 85.7% power output after 25 years.
Can a single panel run a 12V off-grid system?
The reference listing states a 200W panel for 12V and 24V off-grid systems, with panels in parallel for 12V systems. Match the panel watts and voltage to the controller input and the loads you plan to run.
What does IP65 mean on a solar panel?
IP65 is the protection code the listing states for the reference panel, alongside 3.2 mm tempered glass and a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame. The listing also states a wind load of up to 2400 Pa and a snow load of up to 5400 Pa.
How long does a rigid solar panel last?
The reference listing states a service life of up to 30 years and a 10-year warranty. Keep the panel clear of leaves and debris, and check it on a regular basis, as the maker advises.
Related solar guides
See the best 200W solar panel kits with MPPT controller, the best flexible solar panel kits, the best bifacial solar panels for a shed and every solar panel guide.
