Making the switch to solar power is a great step towards greener living. And while solar panels are an excellent choice for powering your home, they can also support you when you’re out and about. With caravan solar panels, you can power all your holiday essentials with a renewable energy source.
If you’re wondering where to start when choosing solar panels for your caravan, our guide has all the information you need.
Why consider caravan solar panels?
Solar panels provide the power you need to run lighting and small appliances when travelling in your caravan. Moreover, they can keep your batteries charged and prevent them from draining when your vehicle is parked up for a long time.
But for many, the main attraction of caravan solar panels lies in their ability to reduce your carbon footprint. By using solar energy instead of fossil fuels, caravan and motorhome solar panels let you power your van in a more eco-friendly way.
Solar power also reduces your reliance on the National Grid — ideal for heading out on adventures where electrical hookups may be few and far between. What’s more, solar panels are quieter, lighter, and cheaper to run than a traditional generator.
Domestic solar panels vs caravan solar panels
Many of us recognise the benefits of solar panels on domestic rooftops. However, you might be wondering if the photovoltaic (PV) solar panels used at home are the same as those designed for caravan use.
In principle, solar panels for building rooftops and those for caravans are the same. Both varieties harness sunlight and convert it into electricity. The difference mainly relates to size and weight. While a townhouse roof can take a fair amount of weight, for example, caravans and motorhomes require much lighter solar panels.
The best solar panels for caravans also have some flexibility, allowing them to fit to your vehicle’s shape.
Are solar panels suitable for a touring caravan?
It makes sense that solar panels can be fitted on a static caravan, but what about on the move? The good news is that many solar panels — particularly flexible modules — are light yet robust enough to withstand different weather conditions and road vibrations when driving. This means you can continue to generate energy to power your battery as you move from A to B.
Solar panel types for caravans
With this in mind, let’s take a look at which solar panel constructions are suitable for static caravans and on-the-go motorhomes.
- Flexible and semi-flexible: As mentioned above, many of the best caravan solar panels have some flexibility. This means they can sit flush against your vehicle roof, even if it curves. These tend to be the most lightweight option — perfect for touring vans.
- Framed: However, rigid framed solar panels can also be an excellent choice for caravans. These tend to be more affordable than flexible panels and offer a higher output. You can attach them to your vehicle roof or set them out beside your caravan when you park up. Framed solar panels are heavier than their flexible counterparts, so they may be best suited as permanent fixtures for static caravans.
- Portable: It’s also possible to get portable solar panels that open up like suitcases. These can be handy if you don’t want to install your solar panel directly on your caravan. However, you’ll need to set them up each time you park, so they’re not as convenient for continuous use.
How much are solar panels for a caravan?
As with buying solar panels for rooftops, boats, or any other application, caravan solar panels vary in price depending on a few factors.
The size and output of your solar panel system play a big role, with larger systems or those with a higher wattage coming with a higher upfront cost. The type of cell also has an effect on price — on the whole, monocrystalline solar panels are more expensive than polycrystalline, for example. But it is also worth considering newer solar cell technologies such as PERC and back-contact cells.
If you’re looking for flexible solar panels, our models range from around £50 for a 10W SpectraLite SemiFlex to £710 for a 120W SunWare Solar Panel set.
Our framed Ameresco Solar Panels, on the other hand, range from £73.40 for a 10W panel to just under £350 for a 140W system. You can also expect to pay around £170 for our 150W Spectra Leisure solar panels.
If you want the very latest in solar technology, our framed Spectra PERC-S panels range in size from £73 for a 30W Spectra PERC Shingle panel to £346 for a larger 400W panel.
Finding the best solar panels for your caravan
When comparing solar panel options and deciding how many you need for your caravan, we recommend considering these questions:
- What do you need to power?
Are you looking to charge small devices and lights, or do you need enough power for larger appliances like refrigerators or air conditioning units?
As a general rule, most caravans require solar panels with a minimum output of 40W to maintain the battery when not in use, while larger motorhomes will need at least 80W.
Think about how often you use your caravan and how much sunlight you’re likely to get at your chosen holiday destinations – and also the type of sites you will visit, if they have electrical hook-ups or not where you need to generate your own power.
- How much space does your caravan roof have?
This will affect the size of the system you can install.
- How will you install them?
Some flexible solar panels can be glued to your vehicle roof using specific caravan adhesive making to make them secure but this can also make them hard to remove.Generally, framed ones will need to be bolted but this can offer the chance to transfer them to another caravan or motorhome down the line. It’s also worth considering whether you want to install the panels yourself or visit a professional to do this for you.
Install high-quality caravan solar panels with Marlec Engineering
Whether you stay in a static caravan for your summer holidays each year or travel frequently in your touring caravan or motorhome, solar panels can be a fantastic investment.
At Marlec Engineering, we’re proud to have over 40 years of experience in the renewable energy industry, which has allowed us to develop the best solar panels for a range of applications, from signage and bus shelters to boats and caravans.
Explore our caravan roof solar panels, and please get in touch if you have any questions.