The lightest panel in its class, thanks to CIGS cells
The Sunslice Fusion Flex 12W targets a specific audience: travelers counting every gram, hikers, bikepackers, cycle tourists. Its technical distinction lies in its thin-film CIGS cells (copper, indium, gallium, selenide), a rarer technology than the monocrystalline silicon found in nearly every other nomadic panel in this catalogue.
Unfolded, it reaches 288 x 385mm of active surface across two panels, then folds down to about letter-page size (288 x 190mm) at 2mm thick. A scratch-resistant, water-resistant ETFE coating protects the whole thing, with no built-in battery: charging happens directly, via two USB-A ports.
CIGS versus monocrystalline: this panel's real trade-off
The claimed 16.5% efficiency for CIGS cells sits notably behind the 22 to 25% posted by the monocrystalline panels already reviewed on this site (BigBlue 28W, Allpowers SP001, Allpowers Solax SE60). That's the direct trade-off of the technology choice: thin-film CIGS cells sacrifice some conversion efficiency to gain flexibility and mechanical resilience.
| Panel | Fusion Flex 12W (CIGS) | BigBlue 28W | Allpowers SP001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claimed efficiency | 16.5% | 24% | 22 to 25% |
| Technology | Flexible CIGS | Monocrystalline | Monocrystalline |
No independent measurement of this efficiency exists for this model to date. On paper, the gap with monocrystalline is real and significant, but in practice it means a slower charge at equal surface area, not a defective panel: this is a deliberate technology choice, not a manufacturing shortfall.
240g: the new lightest in this comparison
This is where the Fusion Flex 12W changes the game. At 240g on the scale, it comfortably beats the Allpowers SP001 (610g), until now the lightest nomadic panel already reviewed on this site, and weighs barely more than a smartphone.
| Panel | Fusion Flex 12W | Allpowers SP001 | BigBlue 28W | Allpowers Solax SE60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Output | 12W | 21W | 28W | 60W |
| Weight | 240g | 610g | 680g | 1.35kg |
This weight comes directly from the combination of flexible CIGS cells and lower rated output: fewer watts to produce means less cell surface needed. The result slides into a backpack pocket without a trace, a genuine advantage for anyone traveling light.
ETFE with no IP rating, two USB-A ports capped at 12W
The ETFE coating protects the panel from scratches and makes it water-resistant by construction, but Sunslice states no official IP rating for this model, unlike several rivals certified IP67 or IP68. That isn't necessarily a flaw, but it's a less verifiable claim than a standardized number.
On connectivity, the two USB-A ports deliver 5V/2.4A each, for a combined 12W that exactly matches the panel's rated output, with no headroom. That's a port ceiling consistent with available power, but notably lower in absolute terms than the 18 to 30W on more powerful rivals: no USB-C or DC output is offered at all.
Who the Fusion Flex 12W is for
This panel suits, first and foremost, anyone traveling light who only needs a minimal charging top-up, long-distance trekking, bikepacking, cycle touring, where every gram saved genuinely matters. The four corner grommets allow it to be attached directly to a pack or bag for charging on the move, a use case few heavier rivals accommodate as easily.
For anyone needing a faster charge or powering a hungrier device, a more powerful, heavier monocrystalline panel (BigBlue 28W, Allpowers SP001, or Solax SE60) remains more effective. The Fusion Flex 12W isn't a universal panel, it's a specialist's choice for a specific use case: weight first, power second.
