There are a few key differences to keep in mind when choosing solar panels: Rigid panels are solar cells mounted under tempered glass. The main benefit of this solar panel, over the Photonic Universe one above is that they are flexible and can bend in up to a 248-degree arc. You really can’t go wrong with either option as long as you take measurements and make sure everything fits. What all of this basically means is that you can have free power in your rolling home thanks to good old mother nature (and science). These are an excellent choice if your are looking to get a small amount of power like charging phones or a laptop at a campsite. These links in the page above are broken: 100W solar panel wiring diagram This is useful if the roof of your van is slightly curved, as your solar panel can bend with it. They share many of the same features including a decent warranty, high efficiency, and resistance to extreme weather. Hi Kate & Ian, is this correct??? >> I saw a video where a solar guy said if you’re running 2 or 3 x 100 watt panels for example, and add one more smaller, say only a 50 watt panel, then ALL of the panels would only be able to output the lower amount (in this example they all become 50 W each). They come with all of the components necessary to build a solar system including a charge controller, inverter and battery. If you are driving down the road, do you need Solar Panels on top? Optimizing Your Camper Van Electric System, How To Calculate Wh For Each Electronic Device, over two years living in a DIY camper van, Includes waterproof junction box and MC4 connectors, 20ft. I have purchased the solar panels for my RV. Amorphous panels are quite a bit different from the other two. In neighborhoods that are wary of the homeless, just having a vehicle above a certain height will get the cops called on you. They also have excellent customer service compared to other brands in their price-point. These charge controllers are only rated to a slightly higher input voltage than the battery bank. With the right materials, flexible panels are quick and easy to install on your camper. Aside from this, a protective case, stand and weatherproofing will likely come down to personal preference and price point. These panels have a sturdy aluminum base that allows you to use them as either portable panels, or mounted on the roof. When planning your solar, be aware that solar panels perform best when cool. Look at the dimensions of the specific panel make sure it will fit and forget about the efficiency. As well as being extremely flexible, these Renogy 160W solar panels are very lightweight, up to 70% lighter than conventional solar panels. The wiring must be bigger as you are increasing amps. There are many ways you could do this; working remotely can be done for many jobs such as coding, graphic design and even private tutoring. The SOUL Scroll has been launched as a Kickstarter project with tremendous success, having raised over $80,000, way more than their $30,000 goal. When planning, remember that there is a voltage drop relative to distance, so more isn’t better.   Prone to scratches We have a 2018 Mercedes Metris with a “smart alternator” and are having a tough time finding the best battery to battery charger. There are various ways disguise this with roof racks and flush-mounted flexible panels. Thank you for the great blog! Thanks for these instructions! If you’re wiring panels in parallel, then to get the maximum output they should all be the same voltage. Required fields are marked *. Be sure to check weekly that your panels are free of dirt and debris. Mounting Solar Panels to a Rubber RV Roof The most common RV roof type is rubber, made out of a material known as EPDM or TPO. They can be attached with glue, sealant or screws.   Lighter Especially since we live in a sunny climate, we think it could be a great investment. Thank you! The brackets are simply screwed to each corner of the solar panel … Portable solar panels are already tilt-mount by design! Fortunately, the process is relatively simple and won’t do a lot of damage to your rooftop. Last but not least, on our list of the best solar panels for your camper van we have the Sun Store Solar Kit. Want to reveal to the world that you’re a weekend warrior? MPPT charge controllers are more efficient than PWM. Portable solar panels are used as either standalone units or a portable solar briefcase that you store in your vehicle and then pull out while you’re at camp. So which way is better? The last step is running the wires to the charge controller inside. Flexible panels in general are more limited to sun exposure because they’re not free standing. It sums everything up, and answers all my current questions about solar. How to Install Solar Panel(s) on a Camper Van Conversion: The autonomy of our DIY camper van conversion depends on power, and extracting power from the sun feels a bit like cheating to us. They are also lightweight and are much easier to install than rigid panels. You can add tilt mounts to manually adjust the angle and get the most direct sunlight. Before closing out, we’d like to give a quick mention to solar generators. The starter bundles normally do not come with mounting brackets or connectors. You won’t … Portable solar suitcases can be installed and connected just like regular rigid solar panels. This is much better to know in the planning stage than when you’re on the road! Thanks! Solar panels take the energy from the sun and send it down through a charge controller where it will eventually recharge the batteries in your Camper Electrical system.. Quick note before we get started. Am I right dear? Copyright © ParkedInParadise.com | Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We’re hoping to add even more info in the future , Just a question. Bending the panels too much tends to cause issues with internal connections and even shorting out between the cells. I was thinking in the meantime to just go with a larger battery and see if solar would suffice on its own. Portable solar suitcases typically fold open like a book and have handles making them easy to carry. They are harder to position to get optimum light. Thank you, I will keep track of your new posts! Love your whole site, many helpful tips! Thanks to your blog, I chose a good solar panel for my RV. Solar panels are a great way to generate electricity when living in a van and can turn your tiny house into an off grid camper. It is a good idea to design a gap between the panel and the roof for air movement. Hi everyone! We are using eternabond cut to 2.5” width and the 3M VHB tape in your link on a Renogy flexible 160 W panel. In our opinion, wiring in series should be the go-to setup due to less complexity and higher efficiency. That means you can travel in all weather conditions without fear of system failure. The Sun Store Solar kit costs £362.53, and more information can be found on their website. Thanks for the info! Huge thanks for this article that pretty much summed everything I needed to know about the subject so far. ), Can harvest sun while your vehicle is parked in the shade, Takes up space inside the van when traveling, especially anything above 200W, Won’t be able to charge with solar when running errands. Be sure to seal up any holes made when the panel is being fitted to the roof to ensure your camper is watertight. At number one on our list of the best solar panels for your camper van, we have this 300W beauty from Photonic Universe. This may require drilling a hole in the roof. After you decide how many solar panels you need, choose a kit that is sized correctly for you. Most rigid solar panels come with a bit of clearance built within the frame. … I never knew that electricity prices are maximized during daylight hours! Monocrystalline panels have a smaller footprint than polycrystalline panels. Now I have to calculate how many watts are needed on my motorhome…not easy…. Solar Panel Placement. Because of these issues, the warranty on flexible solar panels tends to be significantly shorter than rigid panels. All you need to install are the panels. Their kits come with simple wiring diagrams that lay out all of the components and they have excellent customer support to help you connect your system. Is he correct and why? Super article thanks!! That’s where being a digital nomad comes in, being able to earn your money while simultaneously travelling in a van and completing some of the top road trips is a great way to achieve long term van life travel. If you want to run 240v electrics in your campervan, then you will also need an inverter. They both work effectively. It’s a place to pick up vanlife tips, share ideas, and meet other van life enthusiasts from around the globe! I think Renogy is the best one. This is good news, as it keeps the initial cost of setting up your solar electrical system to a minimum as you do not need to buy multiple numbers of panels. The PPT Solar Charging Kit with USB lamp comes in at £574.99. However, if you have multiple panels, these Renogy Flexible Panels could work for full time, heavy usage. After reading your post, I think it very useful and I will buy some solar panels which was recommended in your blog. You might also want to look into the Cole Hersee battery isolator because they have options that work with the new smart alternators. So, if you have a whole bunch of different panels, but all at 12V, then you won’t get reduced output as long as you wire them in parallel. The good news is that they work very well. Thank you! I think flexible solar panels are much lighter than conventional solar panels, which makes them suitable for different applications. Well, with just four to six hours of charging via the ultra-thin retractable solar panel this compact 300g battery pack can charge a phone 1-2 times, an e-reader 3-5times, a GoPro 4-5 times and even give your MacBook Pro a boost with 1/3 of a full charge. The panel is completely waterproof and is safe to be used in all weather conditions, good news for full-time vanlifers. What we like most about their solar kits is that they come with battery upgrades. Remove and debris, wipe it off with rubbing alcohol and let the surface dry completely. You can attach them to roof rack rails or directly on top of the roof. ABOUT US Less evidence of living in your vehicle when they are put away, Easier for a wide range of vehicles (small cars, VW bus, etc. They have the bare minimum of components and are the cheapest. Thank you for the very informative article! Or is that something you all would do after in order to have the anchors of the solar panel mounts accessible through the ceiling? Flexible panels are trash, they get extremely hot, lose efficiency and have very short lives. Giosolar 200 watt kit + 20 amp charge controller + cables . Better accommodates those who are power hungry and need more than 200W of solar. There are a number of reputable companies that make portable solar suitcases for camping. This is fantastic. Z-Bracket Mounts are one of the easiest ways to hold your panels in place. With this type of installation the solar panels are typically six to eight inches above the existing roof rack. Hey ya’ll, I had a quick question. One of the things we like most about Renogy is their straightforward instructions. Up next on our list of the best solar panels for your camper van, we have an option for people who might not need quite as much power when on their road trip. I will keep track of your new posts. i'm trying to install 2 Renogy solar panels on my rv roof and i used the screws and brackets that came with the panels. Buying solar panels for your RV or camper van is a great way to charge your batteries. Basic rigid panels are cheaper per watt and generally come with a long warranty (10+ years). Mounting or gluing panels directly to the roof loses important cooling airflow from the underside. The solar panel itself is a 160W solid solar panel, mounted within an aluminium frame. 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