Whether you’re bound for boondocking or just looking for some extra power, a camper van solar system can be life-changing. With the power of the sun, you can generate electricity to fuel your devices and live off-grid. And with no need to rely on shore power to charge your laptop or run your fridge, you’ll be self-sufficient and free to wild camp for as long as your heart desires.
That all sounds great, but how does a camping solar panel work anyway? How many watts will I need? What are the best solar panels for campervans?
Choosing the best solar panels for vans can be overwhelming. When we made the caravan solar system on our van Benji, we did a ton of research. Now, we are passing on that research to you!
Here’s everything you need to know about solar panels for camper vans, including our top picks.
Why Get A Solar Panel For Your Campervan
Installing solar panels allows you to harness the renewable energy of the sun into electricity to power your daily life. In short, solar panels for a van = freedom to live and travel off-grid. Even if you don’t have direct sun, the photovoltaic cells on your caravan solar panels absorb energy. This power is then stored in your battery bank which you can tap into to run your devices.
The amount of power generated is dependent on many factors but even with one panel, you can start utilizing sustainable electricity. Plus, wiring solar panels is a lot more straightforward than you may think and a totally worthwhile investment!
Monocrystalline Panels Vs Polycrystalline Panels
Van solar panels come in two main types with a few key differences: monocrystalline and polycrystalline.
A monocrystalline solar panel works efficiently thanks to single crystal silicon. These are the best solar panels for van conversion use but can be expensive.
Polycrystalline panels have various silicon crystals that are small and less efficient. They do perform well in shady areas with little direct sunlight but can’t produce as much power as monocrystalline. For that reason, they’re less expensive but still very durable.
You can recognize monocrystalline panels by their grid pattern with small diamond shapes between the solar cells. Meanwhile, a polycrystalline panel just has a rectangular grid pattern with thin straight lines separating the solar cells.
Lastly, there are also non-crystalline panels called amorphous panels. They’re made from silicon film instead of cells. They perform well in low light but they’re nowhere near as efficient compared to mono or polycrystalline panels. Our advice? Stick with monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels for caravans.
