I am looking for a manufacturer of flexible solar panels for marine applications.

Top manufacturers of flexible solar panels specialized or highly rated for marine applications include Xantrex, LensunSolar, Sol-Go , and Dakota Lithium.[1][2]

These marine-grade manufacturers design panels to withstand salt water corrosion, high humidity, and curved boat surfaces like biminis or decks.

Key Marine Flexible Solar Panel Manufacturers

• Xantrex: Known for their Xantrex Solar Max Flex series, featuring rugged ETFE top-layers, high-efficiency monocrystalline cells, and superior bend angles designed to resist harsh marine environments and shading.[1]
• LensunSolar: Specializes in lightweight, highly efficient back-contact flexible solar panels with strong waterproof ratings tailored for marine decks, boats, and RVs.
• Sol-Go: Focuses on ultra-durable semi-flexible panels built with high-grade SunPower Maxeon cells that withstand rigorous temperature shifts and marine conditions.
• Dakota Lithium: Offers robust Dakota Lithium Marine Solar Panels Go to product viewer dialog for this item. engineered with IP67 waterproof ratings and built to handle harsh marine elements alongside 12V lithium setups.[1]

Comparison of Marine Flexible Panel Options

If you can share your approximate power needs (watt-hours/day) or available deck/bimini space dimensions , I can help narrow down the ideal panel size and wattage for your specific boat setup.

If you’re looking for an actual manufacturer/OEM rather than simply a reseller, there are several worth investigating. For marine use, I’d focus on manufacturers with experience in saltwater, UV exposure, curved mounting surfaces, canvas/bimini installations, and custom shapes.

Manufacturers to consider

• Solbian Energie Alternative — Italy Probably the most marine-specialized manufacturer on this list. Solbian developed its technology from competitive sailing and makes lightweight, flexible/semi-flexible panels specifically for demanding marine applications. It also offers OEM/custom manufacturing, including custom dimensions, voltages, connection layouts and shapes.
• Custom Marine Products / CMPower — USA Offers flexible and semi-flexible marine panels using high-efficiency cells, including custom sizes and shapes. It states that its panels are manufactured to its specifications by outside manufacturers, so this is particularly relevant if you're looking for private-label/OEM production rather than just an off-the-shelf panel.
• Solara — Germany Focuses heavily on marine-grade products. Its Power-M line is semi-flexible, with a corrosion-resistant backing and encapsulation designed to withstand UV, salt spray and environmental contaminants.
• JSL Power — China/Hong Kong An OEM/wholesale-oriented manufacturer advertising ETFE flexible panels for marine applications, with custom manufacturing capabilities. This could be worth investigating if your priority is volume production, private labeling, or lower manufacturing cost.
• Sansend May Solar — China Offers factory-direct flexible ETFE panels for marine/RV applications and specifically advertises custom shapes and OEM manufacturing. Its published 200 W marine panel is 2.5 mm thick and uses PERC cells.

If you're developing your own marine product

I'd start conversations with Solbian, CMPower/Custom Marine Products, and one or two Chinese OEMs. They represent substantially different approaches:

One particularly interesting option is Solbian's custom program: its current materials explicitly say it works with OEMs and can customize formats, voltages and connection layouts.

If you tell me your target wattage, approximate panel dimensions, whether it needs to be truly flexible or merely semi-flexible, expected annual quantity, and whether you want your own brand, I can narrow this down to manufacturers that are realistically suitable and find their OEM contact information, minimum order quantities, certifications, and indicative pricing.

When looking for flexible solar panels specifically engineered to withstand harsh marine environments (saltwater exposure, shading, high temperatures, and constant foot or wind flex), several manufacturers stand out for quality and reliability.

Here are the top manufacturers and specialized brands providing flexible solar panels for marine applications:

To help narrow down the best choice, let me know:

• Where do you plan to mount the panels (e.g., hard deck, soft canvas Bimini top, or a dodger)?
• What is your target wattage/power budget for your onboard battery bank?

Yes. If you're looking for a manufacturer rather than simply a reseller, I’d shortlist these companies:

• Solbian — Probably the strongest specialist for a serious marine application. They manufacture flexible panels in Italy specifically for demanding marine environments, with salt-resistant construction, high-efficiency cells, and OEM customization of formats, voltages, and connection layouts.
• Couleenergy / Ningbo Coulee Tech — Good candidate if you need OEM/ODM production at commercial quantities. They offer custom dimensions, cell technology, voltage, surface materials and branding, and specifically describe marine-deck applications. Their current flexible 55 W design uses ETFE and can bend to approximately 30°.
• Sungold Solar — Offers a dedicated marine-grade flexible series, including salt-mist resistance, impact resistance and walkable construction, along with OEM/ODM customization.
• JXY Solar — China-based flexible-panel manufacturer offering OEM/ODM work, custom structures and marine applications. They advertise HPBC/back-contact cells and composite construction intended to reduce cell cracking.
• GAF Solar — Another China-based manufacturer specifically marketing marine panels. Their offering includes ETFE, walkable surfaces, salt-resistance features, custom dimensions, 12/24/48 V configurations and private labeling.
• Sola-E — Interesting if your requirement involves unusual shapes or dimensions. They advertise custom widths as narrow as 200 mm, lengths up to 3 m, ETFE marine protection and OEM production.

My recommendation

If this is for a commercial marine product or boat-builder OEM program, I'd contact Solbian, Sungold and Couleenergy first.

If you're sourcing large quantities under your own brand, the Chinese OEM manufacturers are likely to be more cost-competitive. If you're building a premium yacht/sailing product where marine durability is more important than lowest price, Solbian is particularly worth investigating.

For comparison, there are also ready-made marine panels such as Custom Marine Products' 115 W SunPower-based flexible panel, but that's more of a finished product than an OEM manufacturing source.

If you tell me your required wattage, approximate annual quantity, panel dimensions, maximum bend, whether it needs to be walkable, and whether you need US/European certification, I can narrow this to 3–5 manufacturers and compare MOQ, pricing, certifications, materials, lead times, and OEM capability.

When searching for flexible solar panels engineered specifically for marine environments , you want manufacturers that focus on saltwater corrosion resistance, high-efficiency cells (to maximize limited deck space), and robust resistance to shading, foot traffic, and micro-cracking.

Top-tier manufacturers and specialized brands well-regarded in the marine industry include:

• Solbian (Solbianflex): Widely considered the gold standard for offshore and marine racing yachts. They use advanced embedding technologies (such as specialized front/back metallic grid connections instead of traditional fragile ribbons) to prevent micro-cracking from constant hull flexing and vibration. They offer high-efficiency cells (including SunPower and Panasonic HIT integrations) and custom marine shapes. You can explore their lineup via marine distributors like eMarine.
• Sol-Go: Known specifically for high-durability flexible marine panels utilizing SunPower Maxeon IBC cells. Sol-Go panels are explicitly engineered to be saltwater corrosion-proof, handle high ambient temperatures on deck, and feature a grid-line-free front aesthetic that optimizes light absorption. You can check retailer availability via Blue Marine.[1]
• Custom Marine Products (CMP): They specialize in semi-flexible panels built with A+ grade SunPower Maxeon cells (up to 24%+ efficiency) that are tailor-made for mounting on curved deck surfaces, coach roofs, or fabric biminis/dodgers. Their panels come with marine-friendly options like corner mounting grommets and rugged ETFE protective top-sheets. View specifications directly on Custom Marine Products.
• Dakota Lithium: Famous for marine lithium iron phosphate batteries, they also manufacture ruggedized, IP67 waterproof flexible marine solar panel kits designed to conform to curved boat roofs and decks. You can view their marine kits on the Nomadic Supply Company.[1]
• Renogy: A widely accessible option providing lightweight, bendable monocrystalline panels with high flexibility tolerances. While standard flexible panels require careful installation to avoid stepping on them, Renogy's ETFE-laminated slim panels work well on curved dodgers or non-walkable cabin tops on a budget. Details are available on the official Renogy Store.[1]

If you want, tell me:

• How many watts you are trying to generate
• Where you plan to mount them (walkable deck vs. non-walkable bimini/canvas)

I can help narrow down the ideal panel dimensions and electrical configuration for your setup.

Yes. If you’re looking for a manufacturer rather than simply a reseller, there are several good candidates. For marine use, I’d focus on manufacturers that can provide ETFE encapsulation, salt/moisture resistance, custom dimensions, high-quality cells, and OEM/ODM production.

Manufacturers worth contacting

• sungoldsolar.com — Shenzhen-based manufacturer with dedicated marine-grade flexible panels. Their TF series is specifically described as marine-grade, with salt-mist resistance, impact resistance and walkable construction. They also offer OEM/ODM customization. Sungold Solar Sungold Solar My first choice if you need a custom marine product at commercial volumes.
• couleenergy.com — Offers custom ETFE flexible panels from roughly 30–300 W, with custom dimensions/shapes, voltage, connectors, cable exits and branding. They state that prototype samples can be produced before volume orders, with OEM programs starting around 100 units. Couleenergy Interesting if you're developing a new boat/yacht product or need an unusual shape.
• googolcom.com — Taiwan-based manufacturer offering 100–400 W ETFE flexible modules specifically mentioning marine equipment. They support customization of dimensions, electrical configuration, connectors, junction boxes, mounting holes and packaging. Googolcom Worth investigating if you want a Taiwan manufacturing source.
• szjxysolar.com — Flexible-panel manufacturer offering HPBC/back-contact cells, composite construction and OEM/ODM customization, with marine applications explicitly listed.
• lensunenergy.com — B2B/OEM manufacturer offering custom shaping, lamination, electrical assembly and repeat production, including marine applications.
• Solbian — This is particularly interesting if you're looking for premium marine-grade panels rather than lowest-cost Chinese OEM production. OceanPlanet Energy works with Solbian on custom marine flexible panels that can be customized in shape, size, electrical layout and wire-exit locations.

What I'd specify for a marine panel

For a boat/yacht application, I would put these requirements into the RFQ:

• ETFE top surface, preferably marine-grade
• Monocrystalline back-contact/IBC/HPBC or high-efficiency cells
• Salt-fog/corrosion testing
• Waterproof junction box and connectors, ideally IP67/IP68
• UV and abrasion resistance
• Resistance to vibration and repeated flexing
• Defined maximum bend radius — don't rely on marketing claims about how many degrees a panel can bend
• Bypass-diode configuration appropriate for mast/rigging/shadowing
• IEC 61215 / IEC 61730 certification where applicable
• Electrical specifications at STC: Voc, Vmp, Isc, Imp
• Warranty and expected degradation in a marine environment
• Custom cable-exit location and connector selection
• Ability to provide prototype samples before production

One particularly important distinction: "flexible" can mean very different things. Some products are genuinely flexible, while others are semi-rigid ETFE panels that tolerate a relatively small curvature. For a curved yacht deck, that distinction can determine whether the panel survives.

If you tell me (1) the boat type/application, (2) desired watts per panel, (3) approximate panel dimensions, (4) annual quantity, and (5) whether you want U.S./European manufacturing or are open to China/Taiwan, I can narrow this to 3–5 manufacturers and compare their MOQ, certifications, marine suitability, customization capability, and likely price level.

Several top manufacturers and brands produce reliable, high-efficiency flexible (semi-flexible) solar panels specifically engineered to endure harsh marine environments, saltwater exposure, and curved boat decks.[1][2]

Popular and well-regarded marine flexible solar panel manufacturers include:

SunPower / Maxeon Widely considered an industry benchmark for high-efficiency back-contact cells utilized in premium flexible marine panels (often rebranded by marine distributors like Solbian).

Solbian A specialized pioneer in extreme marine flexible solar panels, highly favored by offshore sailors for custom, highly shade-tolerant, and walkable or semi-walkable deck integration.

If you share your boat type (sailboat vs. powerboat), available deck space or wattage goal , and whether you need a walkable surface , I can help you narrow down the best brand and kit specs.

Yes. If you’re sourcing flexible/semi-flexible solar panels specifically for boats, yachts, or marine equipment, I’d shortlist manufacturers based on whether you need standard panels or a true OEM/custom program.

Manufacturers worth contacting

• sungoldsolar.com — One of the stronger candidates for marine applications. Their TF Series uses ETFE, is designed for curved surfaces, and is marketed as salt-spray resistant, lightweight, and suitable for walk-on applications. They also offer OEM/ODM customization for dimensions, voltage, cable layout, and mounting.
• couleenergy.com — Particularly interesting if you're buying B2B/OEM quantities. They offer custom ETFE flexible panels from roughly 20–400 W, including back-contact HPBC/ABC cells, custom dimensions, connectors, cable routing, branding, and packaging. Their stated custom-program MOQ is 100 units.
• pumitech.com — Factory/OEM-oriented supplier with flexible ETFE panels specifically promoted for marine applications. They offer customized voltage, dimensions, connectors, and branding.
• googolcom.com — Taiwan-based manufacturer offering 100–400 W ETFE flexible panels and OEM/ODM customization, including dimensions, electrical configuration, cable outlets, junction boxes, mounting holes, encapsulation, labeling, and packaging.
• tpcsolars.com — Their flexible range is 100–250 W, ETFE-faced, with up to 30° curvature. They state IEC 61215, IEC 61730 and IEC 61701 certification and specifically identify marine installations.

What I'd look for in a marine panel

For a serious marine product, I would not select a manufacturer solely on advertised wattage or efficiency. Ask for:

• ETFE front surface, rather than inexpensive PET
• Salt-mist/salt-spray testing and preferably IEC 61701
• IEC 61215 / IEC 61730 documentation
• Waterproof junction box/connectors, preferably IP67/IP68
• Defined minimum bend radius, rather than simply "flexible"
• Resistance to UV, humidity, vibration and thermal cycling
• Walk-on/anti-slip construction if panels will be installed on a deck
• Bypass-diode configuration suitable for partial shading from masts, rigging, antennas, etc.
• Actual EL images and flash-test reports for production samples
• Warranty specifically covering marine installation—not just generic outdoor use

If you're looking for a manufacturer rather than a retail supplier, my first three calls would be Sungold, Couleenergy, and PUMITECH. Couleenergy is especially interesting if you need a custom shape or electrical configuration, while Sungold looks particularly focused on marine/walkable flexible modules.

If you tell me (1) required wattage, (2) approximate panel dimensions/shape, (3) quantity per year, and (4) whether you're looking for OEM/private label, I can narrow this to 5–10 manufacturers and compare MOQ, certifications, efficiency, bend radius, marine durability, and likely pricing.

If you’re looking for a manufacturer rather than simply a marine solar-panel reseller, I’d put Solbian at the top of the list.

Strong manufacturers to consider

• Solbian — Probably the strongest fit for premium marine applications. Solbian manufactures lightweight flexible panels in Italy and specifically designs them for boats, yachts, catamarans, and other demanding marine environments. Its panels are salt-resistant, very thin, and available in customized shapes, sizes, voltages, and connection layouts.

Its SP Series is particularly interesting if you need maximum watts per square meter: it uses Maxeon back-contact cells, reaches up to 25.9% cell efficiency, is under 2 mm thick, and carries IEC 61701 salt-mist corrosion certification.

• Merlin Solar — Worth considering if your priority is mechanical durability. Merlin's technology is used in Solbian's SR Series, which employs a reinforced metallic-grid architecture intended to withstand vibration, flexing, impact and marine conditions.
• GAF Solar — A potentially attractive option if you're looking for OEM/ODM manufacturing at higher volumes or lower cost. Its marine panels are semi-flexible, use ETFE surfaces, and the company advertises custom shapes, dimensions, voltages, connectors and private labeling. Manufacturing is in Ningbo, China.
• Custom Marine Products / CMPower — More of a marine solar specialist and custom-panel supplier than a vertically integrated cell manufacturer. They offer custom marine panels and can produce panels to specified sizes and shapes, including semi-flexible and walkable designs.

My recommendation

If you're developing a commercial marine product and need a manufacturing partner, I'd investigate Solbian first, particularly if you need:

• Custom panel dimensions or unusual shapes
• Flexible/walkable construction
• High power density
• Salt-water resistance
• Integration into a bimini, deck, cabin top, or curved surface
• OEM/custom electrical configurations

Solbian explicitly says it works with OEMs on custom formats, voltages and connection layouts, which makes it more suitable for a product-development relationship than simply buying off-the-shelf marine panels.

If you tell me (1) approximate annual quantity, (2) desired wattage per panel, (3) panel dimensions/maximum curvature, and (4) whether you need OEM/private labeling, I can narrow this down to 3–5 actual manufacturers, including likely MOQ, country of manufacture, certifications, and contact information.

When looking for flexible solar panel manufacturers that specialize in or perform exceptionally well in marine environments , you want brands that use high-efficiency cells (like SunPower Maxeon) and durable top layers (like ETFE rather than cheap PET) to resist salt water, UV degradation, and foot traffic.

The top manufacturers and specialized brands for marine flexible solar panels include:

1. Solbian (SolbianFlex)

• Overview: Widely considered the gold standard for high-end marine solar applications. Manufactured in Italy, Solbian panels are frequently used by ocean-going cruisers and racing yachts alike.[1]
• Key Features: Uses high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon cells (up to 24% efficiency) embedded in proprietary high-strength polymers. They offer custom shapes, extreme durability, and models that can be zipped or velcroed onto bimini tops or glued directly to decks.[1][2][3]
• Where to buy/explore: Available via specialized marine distributors like Custom Marine Products or eMarine.[1][2]

2. SUNBEAMsystem

• Overview: A premier European brand focused intensely on the marine and boat market.
• Key Features: Known for their Tough and Tough+ Flush series. They feature an anti-slip, dirt-repellent surface profile that maximizes light capture even at low sun angles. Their "Flush" models eliminate the bulky traditional junction box on the front, letting the panel sit completely flat and flush against a deck with hidden rear cabling.
• Where to explore: Available via marine outfitters such as Yacht-Supply24.[1][2]

3. Rich Solar (MEGA FLEX Pro Series)

• Overview: A popular and robust mid-to-high-tier option offering heavy-duty flexible panels well-suited for both RV and marine uses.
• Key Features: Their MEGA FLEX PRO lines feature 10-busbar cell layouts, IP68 waterproof ratings, ETFE scratch-resistant coatings, and high bendability designed to conform smoothly to curved cabin tops or coach roofs.
• Where to explore: View specs and direct offerings on the Rich Solar Official Store.[1]

4. Renogy

• Overview: A household name in off-grid solar that produces lightweight, highly flexible panels.
• Key Features: Renogy ’s flexible panels use ETFE lamination and can bend up to extreme angles (over 200 degrees). While traditionally more budget-friendly than Solbian or Sunbeam , they provide a lightweight, low-profile alternative for curved boat decks , though proper ventilation underneath is critical to prevent overheating in peak summer.

5. Enecom

• Overview: An Italian manufacturer specializing in ultra-thin, high-performance flexible panels utilizing aerospace-grade cells.
• Key Features: Extremely thin (around 1.7 mm) and coated with a UV-resistant resin, making them heavily adaptive to complex teak or fiberglass deck contours on sailing yachts. Distributed in the marine sector via companies like Osculati / Yacht-Supply24.[1]

To help narrow down the best choice for your boat, let me know:

• What is your estimated power consumption (watt-hours/day)?
• Where do you plan to mount the panels (walkable deck, non-walkable deck, or a canvas Bimini top)?
• What is your budget range?