At the time, first and foremost camping was one of the best ways to isolate yourself from the outside world, get closer to nature and slow down. But that doesn’t mean you have to go without any conveniences during your camping trip. Being able to easily charge your mobile phone, tablet, torch or even camping fridge may mean the difference between a comfortable, relaxing camping trip and a stressful one.If you will spend hours building a solar kit, you will not have time to enjoy all the health benefits of camping!
Camping solar panels are one of the easiest ways to power your devices and small appliances while you’re camping. Not only are they quiet and clean, but they are also very easy to transport and set up. However, before you rush out to buy solar panels for camping, there are a few things you need to know; keep reading for camping solar panels.
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How do solar panels for camping work?
When you think of solar panels, you probably think of large rigid monocrystalline solar panels that sit on top of your house, which, of course, can’t possibly apply to camping. Fortunately, there are now many types of solar panels that are lighter, more portable and durable enough to withstand long journeys. Despite the technology’s greater sophistication, camping solar panels still work in the same way as other solar panels. They absorb energy from the sun’s rays, transfer that energy to a solar inverter, and then output usable electricity to power your electrical devices, water heater, mobile phone, and camera.
There are generally two types:
One is a flexible solar panels that is fixed directly to the roof of the caravan and charges the battery by absorbing the energy from the sun’s rays and transmitting it to the solar inverter and then to the lithium iron phosphate battery;
One is portable solar panels, directly absorbing the energy of solar light, the energy directly through the conversion to the side of the mobile device charging or with the help of portable energy storage charging adapted to a variety of mobile equipment charging state.
How to Camp with Solar Panels
While it’s nice to unplug in nature, sometimes you do need to recharge. Mobile phones, GPS devices for geo-tagging, LED lanterns, e-coolers, e-readers, cameras, outdoor mobile theatres, and even electric toothbrushes can all come in handy when you’re outdoors. Especially if you’re camping full-time, taking a family road trip, or making the most of your RV. You can rely on portable energy storage, in-vehicle batteries, or portable solar panels. Or you can learn how to camp with solar panels so you can generate your own power wherever you go.
The first step in learning how to camp with solar panels is to determine how much power you actually need.
Estimate your solar electric for camping needs
Firstly, you must estimate your energy usage to ensure that you invest in a portable power station combined with a kit that suits your power needs. Consider all the appliances or equipment you expect to use while travelling. From there, you can do some quick and easy calculations to estimate your energy consumption (in kWh).
The number of off-grid solar panels you’ll need in Germany or the UK will depend on a number of factors, including your energy consumption, location and the size of your solar panels.
To get a rough estimate, you can use the following formula described in some reports:
(number of solar panels) = (daily energy consumption) / (daily hours of sunlight) / (solar panel efficiency)
For example, if your daily energy consumption is 20 kWh, you have 4 hours of direct sunlight, and you use solar panels with a 20% efficiency, the calculation would be:
20 kWh / 4 hours / 0.20 = 20 solar panels
Therefore, according to the above specifications, 20 solar panels are required.
Select your solar panels
Below are the main components required for a fully functional solar power system:
Solar panels
Solar cells
Inverter
Portable energy storage comes with all the necessary components in a plug-and-play kit. All you need to do is place the portable solar panels and you’re ready to go.
If you decide to go the DIY route, you will need to decide on the number and size of photovoltaic modules as well as the capacity and compatibility of all the other required components in the kit.
Your operational power requirement calculations will help you estimate the size of solar panels and batteries you will need
installed solar panels
You have to decide between a permanent installation using rigid and flexible solar panels or a fully portable solar panel setup. Or you can go for a combination of permanent and portable, it doesn’t matter as it’s based on your power needs, then permanent mounting is usually only suitable for caravan/van camping and home installations.
Many solar panels designed to be permanently mounted come with frames or hooks for easy installation. Generally, very little manual skill is required to install PV modules.
If you are considering a caravan installation, Sungold flexible solar panels may be the best option for you. You can even use an online calculator to determine the type of system you need based on the size of your vehicle, power consumption, and more.
Portable solar panels require no installation, simply place them on the ground or anywhere that receives direct sunlight.
connection system
Wiring is very simple, just plug the solar panel into the portable power station and press the switch. However, if you’re going the DIY route, wiring can be difficult for someone without much electrical experience.
If you’re using components from different manufacturers, it’s important to make sure they’re compatible with each other. Depending on the parts and solar panels you choose, the wiring instructions will vary greatly.
If you are installing multiple solar panels, then you need a solar array. Thus, three 100-watt panels are equivalent to a 300-watt solar array. Connecting solar panels in series typically uses less wire and saves money.
Advantages of using solar panels for camping
Advantages
Noise reduction
Great for the environment, eco-friendly and green
Become a more independent and self-sufficient camper with power anywhere, anytime
More freedom to camp in more locations
Best solar panels for campers
flexible solar panels
Flexible solar panels for use on top of caravans and motorhomes are a perfect choice.The Sungold TF Flexible Solar EMP that is ready for installation. Air eye grommets or 3M adhesive on the edges of the modules make it easy to fix the panels to the roof of the van.
Sungold’s high quality monocrystalline flexible solar panels are guaranteed to maintain consistent efficiency and performance for years to come. The flexible design ensures durability even in harsh weather conditions and because they are roof mounted, they can generate solar energy even on the road, while our solar panels bypass diodes, which can be controlled as single strings or as single modules, avoid the islanding effect, which affects power output due to shadow shading.
portable solar panels
Today, there is a wide range of solar solutions on the market designed for camping. For example, our range of camping solar panels are all foldable and highly portable.
Collapsible solar panels are made from monocrystalline or Sunpower solar cells. These types of panels are very light and compact. Due to their unique design, these are not the only benefits of solar panels specifically designed for camping. Our solar panels come with a folding stand that allows you to easily position them at the perfect angle to capture the sun’s rays.
When folded, our camping solar panels will take up little to no space in your car. If you have to hike to a campsite, you can easily carry them with you.
In addition, our camping solar panels are compatible with most portable energy storage and MC4 connectors. Instead of struggling to connect batteries and inverters, you can simply plug the panels into the solar generator and you have a complete solar camping setup.
Of course if you’re thinking about using more mobile equipment at the same time, consider that the high power Hi-Power portable solar kit is compatible with 1-2kwh of storage, perfect for that;
When you break down the camp, disassembling the system is just as easy. Simply unplug the module, fold it up and stash it in your car.
Another consideration is that your rig needs to be parked in the sun for your system to work efficiently.Portable solar panels do away with this problem – you can be chilling in the shade, while your panels are pumping power just metres away in full sunlight.There’s a slight increase in the risk of theft and a few minutes set up each time you arrive at a new camp, but for some people, this is a small price to pay.In short: portable panels are generally more efficient if they’re set up correctly, but fixed panels will pour more power into your system.
Solid vs Flexible Panels
Tempered glass solar panels (solid) generally have a much longer lifespan, with most coming standard with a 10 year product warranty,However, flexible panels have a shorter design life in comparison, with warranty periods usually only active for one to five years.and that solid glass panels are robust and thermally stable, so they won’t scratch easily or deform when the weather heats up,Solid panels come with aluminium frames for easy mounting and an air gap under the panel will keep it cool and efficient,The only downside is they are a bit heavier than a flexible panel option, which isn’t always ideal for some applications.
If you’re leaning toward flexible plastic panels, consider also the likelihood of your panels being scratched or gouged by low hanging trees, especially when mounted on higher camper roofs.The upper surfaces of plastic panels can also warp from heat, creating curves on the top, which can collect dust on the road and reduce efficiency.You can choose according to your needs
What solar charger should I buy?
Fear not, for the MPPT charger shall prove its worth with its ability to extract maximum power from the sun, even in low light conditions. Its advanced technology allows it to adjust voltage and current to match the optimal power point, ensuring that your chariot’s batteries are charged swiftly and efficiently. While the PWM charger may be more budget-friendly, the MPPT charger’s superior performance and increased energy output make it a worthy investment for the discerning caravan charioteer.
Though it may seem a king’s ransom when assembling a modest 100-200W realm, the rewards for such investment are manifold. Behold, the MPPT, a magical artifact that can transmute voltage betwixt thy solar dominion and thy battery keep, provided the solar realm’s voltage surpasses that of the battery keep. This arcane knowledge allows your panels to be linked in a venerable daisy chain (connected in a series of honor), sparing thee the drudgery of extensive wiring quests. It permits thy new system to operate on lower amps and higher voltage, embarking upon a journey of efficiency most splendid.
Yet, be warned, not all MPPT regulators are forged in the same fires of creation. Whilst some boast display screens (a tome for reading charging amps), others possess but a minimalist interface or, by Merlin’s beard, no screen at all! Fear not, for many of these mystical models can be bound by sorcery to an app on thy smartphone (equally convenient, by the gods!). Thus, the quest for the ideal solar charger is fraught with choices, each with its own set of enchantments and pitfalls. Choose wisely, noble traveler, for the power of the sun is a formidable ally in your journey across the lands.
Powering everything you need with solar energy
Solar panels used to be overlooked because people thought they couldn’t get the job done, but this is not the case. There are a variety of kits available for camping solar panels, so do your research to find the right one for your needs. Once you have mastered it, you can power many different appliances and electronics, including refrigerators, lights, air conditioners, mobile phones, cameras, water heaters, radios, computers, and other basic equipment powering needs to come to account!
At Sungold, we are committed to developing user-friendly solar products and offer high quality outdoor solar panel kits for wholesale and retail. Examples include folding solar suitcases, portable solar panels and flexible solar panels. Also available are configurations that make up complete off-grid solar kit systems, including lithium iron phosphate batteries, 12v inverters, charge controllers and associated wiring.
