Whether or not you’re certain for boondocking or simply on the lookout for some further energy, a camper van photo voltaic system could be life-changing. With the ability of the solar, you possibly can generate electrical energy to gasoline your gadgets and dwell off-grid. And without having to depend on shore energy to cost your laptop computer or run your fridge, you’ll be self-sufficient and free to wild camp for so long as your coronary heart wishes.
That every one sounds nice, however how does a photo voltaic panel work anyway? What number of watts will I want? What are one of the best photo voltaic panels for campervans?
Selecting one of the best photo voltaic panels for vans could be overwhelming. After we made the caravan photo voltaic system on our van Benji, we did a ton of analysis. Now, we’re passing on that analysis to you!
Right here’s all the things you’ll want to find out about photo voltaic panels for camper vans, together with our high picks.
Our campervan, Benji, on the Cyprus Lake Campground in Bruce Peninsula Nationwide Park
Why Get a Photo voltaic Panel for Your Campervan
Putting in photo voltaic panels means that you can harness the renewable vitality of the solar into electrical energy to energy your each day life. In brief, photo voltaic panels for a van = freedom to dwell and journey off-grid. Even for those who don’t have direct solar, the photovoltaic cells in your caravan photo voltaic panels soak up vitality. This energy is then saved in your battery financial institution which you’ll be able to faucet into to run your gadgets.
The quantity of energy generated depends on many elements however even with one panel, you can begin using sustainable electrical energy. Plus, wiring photo voltaic panels is much more easy than it’s possible you’ll suppose and a completely worthwhile funding!
Sorts of Photo voltaic Panels
Should you’re considering of including a photo voltaic array to your camper van, begin by understanding the several types of photo voltaic panels. This fashion you possibly can guarantee you’re shopping for photo voltaic panels which can be match to your van and way of life.
Versatile Photo voltaic Panels
Versatile panels are light-weight, straightforward to put in and work effectively on curved surfaces. They’re like a large sticker that sits instantly in your roof with out taking on a lot area. There’s no have to drill holes or use mounting {hardware} so set up is a breeze.
However, a versatile photo voltaic panel does have its downsides. They’re susceptible to scratching (which might have an effect on energy output) and customarily aren’t as sturdy as inflexible panels. Whereas they are often dear, they do work effectively in sure eventualities the place inflexible panels aren’t an choice.
Cellular Photo voltaic Energy, CC BY-SA 4.0, by way of Wikimedia Commons
Inflexible Photo voltaic Panels
Inflexible panels are the usual in terms of mounted photo voltaic panels which can be completely mounted to your roof. These are widespread as house, motorhome photo voltaic panels, and boat photo voltaic panels as a result of they’re sturdy, environment friendly, and inexpensive. The aluminum body is definitely put in on roof racks or instantly in your van with mounting brackets.
Inflexible panels are available in a number of sizes and might often go well with any price range. Set up is a bit more hands-on than with versatile panels however they’re far more versatile. General, these are one of the best photo voltaic panels for common use.
Transportable Photo voltaic Panels
Transportable panels are an important choice for weekend journeys, particularly while you don’t wish to set up photo voltaic panels completely. Usually bought as photo voltaic suitcases, moveable photo voltaic panels for campers fold out to catch the solar at any angle. This implies they will benefit from solar that mounted panels can’t, however solely when you’ve gotten the area to do it.
Naturally, moveable panels require fixed set-up and should be saved when not in use. However, they’re usable in automobiles, SUVs, and as photo voltaic panels for trailers too, with out taking on any roof area.
Monocrystalline Panels vs Polycrystalline Panels
Van photo voltaic panels are available in two primary sorts with just a few key variations: monocrystalline and polycrystalline.
A monocrystalline photo voltaic panel works effectively due to single crystal silicon. These are one of the best photo voltaic panels for van conversion use however could be costly.
Polycrystalline panels have numerous silicon crystals which can be small and fewer environment friendly. They do carry out effectively in shady areas with little direct daylight however can’t produce as a lot energy as monocrystalline. For that cause, they’re cheaper however nonetheless very sturdy.
You possibly can acknowledge monocrystalline panels by their grid sample with small diamond shapes between the photo voltaic cells. In the meantime, a polycrystalline panel simply has an oblong grid sample with skinny straight traces separating the photo voltaic cells.
Lastly, there are additionally non-crystalline panels referred to as amorphous panels. They’re made out of silicon movie as a substitute of cells. They carry out effectively in low gentle however they’re nowhere close to as environment friendly in comparison with mono or polycrystalline panels. Our recommendation? Persist with monocrystalline or polycrystalline photo voltaic panels for caravans.
How A lot Photo voltaic Energy Do You Want?
All of the jargon about watts and volts can get a little bit complicated. Individuals usually marvel, “is a 100W photo voltaic panel sufficient for a campervan?” and the reality is, it actually depends upon your way of life. That mentioned, we’d at all times advocate including extra solar energy than you suppose you want.
So, what number of photo voltaic panels wouldn’t it take to energy a camper van? The scale of your solar energy system is predicated on what you’ll be working off of it. Consider this by way of watts and never the variety of photo voltaic panels. Will you simply have it to energy LED lights and cost your cellphone? Or are you relying in your photo voltaic system to run your fridge, range, and sizzling water heater?
One other factor to contemplate is your battery capability (measured in amp hours). The wattage of your photo voltaic panel array is irrelevant for those who don’t have the battery financial institution to retailer it.
We decided our energy utilization by doing a energy audit utilizing data from Nate at Explorist. We knew we didn’t wish to use any propane in our van so we added up all of our home equipment. So, we landed on a 400 Amp Hour – 600 Watt Camper Van Photo voltaic Package to fulfill all of our energy wants.
Our electrical diagram contains 2 photo voltaic panels, a cost controller, and 4 batteries.
Greatest Campervan Photo voltaic Panels
From photo voltaic kits to moveable panels, all of the photo voltaic panels on this checklist are glorious selections for a campervan photo voltaic panel.
Renogy 200W Photo voltaic Panel Package w/ MPPT Cost Controller
Greatest For: Inexperienced persons searching for an all-in-one resolution
Worth: $$
Renogy makes a number of the finest photo voltaic panels for campers and this photo voltaic package isn’t any exception. For starters, the camper photo voltaic panels are monocrystalline for an ultra-efficient photo voltaic output. The package contains two 100W inflexible panels, a 20A MPPT cost controller, wiring, and mounting brackets.
Photo voltaic panel kits are glorious for inexperienced persons to take the guesswork out of caravan solar energy. The 200W energy output on this camper photo voltaic package is an effective quantity for any van life photo voltaic setup. The panels are sturdy and have a slim rectangular form that may simply mount to your roof rack. General, that is one of the best camper photo voltaic panel package due to its effectivity and inexpensive value level.
Execs:
- Contains all the things you want for a whole campervan photo voltaic setup in a field (simply add batteries)
- Light-weight and sturdy panels
- Comes with an MPPT (most energy level monitoring) photo voltaic cost controller
- Inexpensive all-in-one value
Cons:
- Restricted to what’s included within the package
- Premium value for the MPPT cost controller (different cost controllers accessible in Renogy’s different photo voltaic panel kits)
WindyNation 400W Polycrystalline Photo voltaic Panel Package
Greatest For: Giant photo voltaic output on a price range
Worth: $$
Probably the greatest RV photo voltaic kits for these needing numerous energy with out breaking the financial institution. WindyNation makes a number of totally different photo voltaic panel kits for RV residing that work nice for van life too. This van photo voltaic panel package contains 4 separate 100W panels, a 30A cost controller, wiring, and mounting {hardware}.
Take into account that these panels are polycrystalline, in order that they don’t have the identical peak effectivity as mono. Whereas they is probably not the very best photo voltaic panels for van life, they nonetheless work effectively and are inexpensive. Plus, having 4 separate panels means that you can configure them to take advantage of your roof area.
Execs:
- Inexpensive all-in-one package
- Multi-panel photo voltaic array can produce numerous energy
- Sturdy photo voltaic panels on RV or vans
Cons:
- Polycrystalline photo voltaic panels aren’t as environment friendly
- 4 panels may not match on smaller vans
ALLPOWERS 12V 100W Versatile Photo voltaic Panel
Greatest For: Vans with curved roofs
Worth: $$
These are a number of the finest versatile panels for vans with rounded shapes or curved roofs. They will bend to wrap round awkward angles {that a} inflexible mounted panel couldn’t. They’re coated with PET to enhance sturdiness and have a waterproof junction field that’s totally sealed. You possibly can set up them simply as one individual without having for holes or mounting brackets.
Relying on how a lot energy you want, the 100W mannequin is an effective place to begin while you’re not residing in a van full time. Simply keep in mind that versatile photo voltaic panels for campervans are extra susceptible to scratches than inflexible panels. This will shorten their lifespan as they’re not as sturdy.
Execs:
- Can bend as much as 30 levels to contour curved roofs
- Tremendous straightforward to put in
- Extremely-lightweight (solely 4 lb)
Cons:
- Not as sturdy and susceptible to scratches
- Can usually get shaded when positioned on a curve
Newpowa 12V 200W Monocrystalline Photo voltaic Panel
Greatest For: Vans with restricted roof area
Worth: $
This 200W panel from Newpowa is one of the best photo voltaic panel for RV or campers with restricted roof area. For a barely bigger panel (approx 165 cm x 67.5 cm / 64.5” x 26.5”), this has double the output of others. It’s excellent when you possibly can’t accommodate two photo voltaic panels on van roof however nonetheless want the ability.
This additionally makes it an important alternative for RV photo voltaic panels as a result of, with two, you possibly can run all of your home equipment. These Newpowa vanlife photo voltaic panels are extraordinarily environment friendly and boast a number of the highest absorption/conversion rankings available on the market. They’re sturdy and durable and include an extended 25-year guarantee for peace of thoughts.
Execs:
- Bigger photo voltaic output in a reasonably sized panel
- Extraordinarily environment friendly
- 25-year guarantee
Cons:
- Heavy
- Bigger than a normal photo voltaic panel for camper van
Renogy 12V 100W Foldable Photo voltaic Panel Suitcase
Greatest For: Weekend tenting with photo voltaic panels
Worth: $$$$
It’s no shock that Renogy makes a number of the finest moveable photo voltaic panels for campervan. Their foldable photo voltaic panel suitcase options two 50W monocrystalline panels and a built-in cost controller. This makes it tremendous straightforward to unfold outdoors and harness solar energy with out the necessity for a everlasting setup.
You possibly can transfer the panels round primarily based on the place of the solar and fold them away while you’re executed. It packs right into a small (50 cm x 69 cm / 20” x 27”) folded package deal that may simply stand or lay flat. It is a incredible choice for occasional use or if you wish to enhance your present camper photo voltaic system.
Execs:
- Compact, sturdy, and straightforward to arrange
- Constructed-in cost controller
- Waterproof
Cons:
- A bit dear for 100W
- Must be saved when not in use
HQST 12V 100W Polycrystalline Photo voltaic Panel
Greatest For: Price range-friendly starter photo voltaic panel for campervan
Worth: $
Photograph by way of hqsolarpower.com
This HQST panel could possibly be an important match for somebody trying to begin their photo voltaic system economically. It’s less expensive than different choices whereas providing the identical dependable and environment friendly energy. Although polycrystalline doesn’t have the identical output as mono, it performs very effectively in low gentle—AKA nice for shadier days. The panel is inflexible and sturdy and might maintain as much as any climate that hits it.
One distinctive factor about this panel is that it’s nearly sq.. The compact form is ideal for sure van roofs since it will probably sit properly on a roof rack. It may not work for all vans, however it’s good to have totally different choices when the common rectangular doesn’t work. All in all, HQST makes a number of the finest photo voltaic panels for RV or van life for the worth.
Execs:
- Nice value
- Sq. form works nice on sure vans
- Completely weatherproof and really sturdy
Cons:
- Polycrystalline isn’t as environment friendly
- Sq. form doesn’t work on all vans