Anyone who enjoys the outdoors but despises using fossil fuels should strongly consider switching to solar power. It’s a smart choice if you want to cut emissions that contribute to climate change and save money on gas.
Since they have been in use for a while, solar panels have changed. Since many different types of solar panels are available today, research is essential before purchasing. Efficiency, size, and kind of solar panels all have an impact on price.
Campervan Solar Panels
The renovation of a campervan includes solar panels. All the electrical devices that you will be utilising in your campervan will get their power from them.
Typical Solar Panels
For campervans, solar panels are an excellent choice. They are a simple method to reduce your campervan’s fuel use and operating expenses.
It might be challenging to choose the finest campervan solar panels since they come in a variety of sizes and forms. We have put up this guide to explain the advantages of each kind of panel to assist you in making a selection.
Thin film and crystalline solar panels are the two most common types now on the market. The term “photovoltaic,” or PV panels is used to refer to both types.
1. Thin Film PV Panels
These are best for unorthodox roof styles and are the most resilient. Produced by lightly spraying a slight coating of semiconductor material over a different surface (similar to the silvering on the back of a mirror). A thin film solar panel typically has a lifespan of 10 years, less than a crystalline panel.
2. Crystalline Panels
Come in two types – mono-crystalline and poly-crystalline. Although they are the most costly, they are also the most effective solar panels. The difference is with efficiency.
Typical Solar Panels
| Solar Panel Type | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Thin film | Portability and flexibility | Lower performance and efficiency |
| mono-crystalline | High performance and efficiency | Higher cost |
| poly-crystalline | Lower cost | Lower performance and efficiency |
Additionally, you will need to decide between ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar panels, each of which has pros and disadvantages.
Ground-Mounted Solar Panels
Ground-mounted solar panels are those that are installed on the ground. The operation of ground-mounted solar panels is essentially similar to that of rooftop solar systems: solar panels are exposed to sunlight, which is then transformed by solar cells into energy to power a single building or, in the case of solar farms, a whole community.
Pros
- Perfect Sunshine Alignment
- No Roof Space Restrictions
Cons
- More Expensive
- Aesthetics
Roof-Mounted Solar Panel
Roof-mounted solar panels are panels that are fixed on the roof of a building to generate electricity and solar thermal energy.
Pros
- After installation, top solar energy produces no greenhouse gases and is pollution-free.
- Carbon emissions are decreased with rooftop solar.
- The most adaptable alternative energy source that doesn’t need a significant water supply is solar.
- Save more resources.
Cons
- Not all types of roofs are suitable for roof-mounted solar panels.
- High upfront material and installation expenses at the time of purchase.
- Depending on the climate.
- Depending on where you reside, finding a nearby installation could be challenging.
Tips for Finding the Best Campervan Solar Panels
Solar panels are a great way to power your campervan without relying on the power grid. As they exist in different sizes, it’s important to get the campervan solar panels that best suit your needs.
Consider what you want to use the solar panel kit for first. A larger system that can handle more voltage will be required if you want more than 12 volts. The amount of electricity you intend to produce during the day and how long it will be utilised at night should both be taken into account. This won’t be a problem if you camp in sunny areas, but it will be more challenging for solar panels to create enough electricity if you don’t.
To obtain a fair sense of how much energy you truly need, use your caravan as usual rather than purposefully overusing your appliances to use as much power as possible. A single day’s measurement is unlikely to be accurate, so do it over a few days.
When you reach home, determine your typical energy use using the battery’s rating. The brief guide below might help estimate and convert battery power to solar panel requirements:
- Power (watts) equals voltage times current amps (v)
- Power (watts) times time equals energy (watt hours) (hours)
- Energy (watt hours) divided by voltage equals battery capacity (amp hours) (volts)
You need an average of 55aH each day, for instance, if your 110aH (amp hours) battery has lasted for two days throughout your journey. As a result, you must choose a solar panel that can provide 55aH of electricity daily. Keep in mind that your solar panel can only recharge your battery during the day.
You should include solar-powered gadgets (such as solar-powered mobile phone chargers) in your calculations as well since they will also need battery power at times when there is minimal sunshine.
Now that you know how much power you need, use the information below to decide which panel will work for you:
| Solar Panel Rating | Generation of Summer Power (per day) | Generation of Winter Power (per day) |
|---|---|---|
| 4W | 24 – 28 Wh | 3.2 Wh |
| 10 W | 60 – 70 Wh | 8 Wh |
| 20 W | 120 – 140 Wh | 16 Wh |
| 25 W | 150 – 175 Wh | 20 Wh |
| 50 W | 300 – 350 Wh | 40 Wh |
| 80 W | 480 – 560 Wh | 64 Wh |
| 100 W | 600 – 700 Wh | 80 Wh |
| 150 W | 900 – 1050 Wh | 120 Wh |
Also, there are a lot to consider when choosing the right campervan solar panels for you, but these five things will help you narrow down your options:
1) Your budget
2) The type of campervan you have
3) The number of people in your campervan
4) The amount of time you spend driving each day
5) Where you drive
Application of Charge Controllers and Regulators
To avoid your battery being harmed by overcharging, it is good to think about installing a regulator if you want to install a large campervan solar panels. Divide the battery’s rating (Ah) by 10 to determine whether or not you’ll require a regulator. If your solar panel’s power is less than this figure, you should be able to operate without a regulator. If not, it is strongly advised to have one installed on the circuit.
A regulator and a diode are often included in a charge controller to stop energy from the battery from leaking back into the solar panel during the night. Make sure the controller includes everything you need before making a purchase. Different manufacturers will use various terms.
Utilizing an inverter might help you avoid entirely draining your battery. Some inverters on the market will stop you from completely emptying your battery and may even sound an alert to let you know when it reaches a specific point.
Best Tips for Campervan Solar Panels
Campervan solar panels are now available. If you’re looking to install a solar panel kit in your campervan, then you should be aware of the benefits of these kits and how they work.
- Adding a kit to your campervan has a lot of advantages. One of the most significant advantages is that you will have an endless supply of energy for your campervan, allowing you to drive anywhere without worrying about running out of gasoline or forgetting to plug in.
- The solar panels need little wiring and are simple to install. This indicates that installation is fast and simple and doesn’t call for any specialised expertise or abilities.
- Solar kits may be mounted on a variety of vehicles, including cars, trucks, trains, and boats, as well as on remote campsites and private residences. They are thus ideal for anybody seeking an alternative energy source or wishing to go off-grid.
Where to Purchase Campervan Solar Panels
In the UK, there are many different sources for solar panels. Some of the more well-known ones are listed below:
- The Solar Centre
- Solar Solutions
- Beam LED
- Photonic Universe
- Towsure
- Select Solar
- Sunstore
- Solar Technology
The purpose of this list is to facilitate your research; it does not constitute a suggestion or endorsement of any particular goods.
Conclusion
For campervans, solar panels are a fantastic choice. They are a simple solution to lower your campervan’s operating expenses and fuel use. It might be challenging to choose which campervan solar panels are perfect for you since they come in a variety of sizes and forms. We’ve put up this guide to explain the advantages of each kind of panel so you can make a choice.
