Solar Panel Knowledge

Your comprehensive guide to understanding all aspects of solar energy for the caravan, camping & 4wd adventurers!

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  • What size solar panel do I need for my setup?

  • How much power can I expect to generate from a solar panel?

  • What additional equipment do I need to use solar panels effectively?

  • What type of solar panel is best suited for outdoor adventures?

What size solar panel do I need for my setup?

To work out what size solar panel you need, actually gets back to mathematics & numbers. Understanding the amount of power you’ll use, will tell us what size solar panel you’ll need !

Calculate Your Daily Energy Use

  1. Start by listing all the electrical devices you plan to use at your campsite, such as lights, 12-volt fridge, chargers, and fans.

  2. Determine the power consumption of each device in watts (usually found on the device itself or in its manual).

  3. Estimate the number of hours each device will be used per day.

  4. Multiply the power consumption (in watts) of each device by the number of hours it’ll be used, to get the daily energy consumption in watt-hours (wh).

Note: When it comes to 12-volt fridges, they only use the full amount of watts (power) each hour when running as a freezer. When running as a refrigerator only, they they run less by turning on and off intermittently each hour. If running as a fridge only, a fair guide would be to allocate approx. 1/3 of their watt-hours

Consider Sunlight Availability

Understand the average amount of sunlight (UV) your campsite receives per day.

  1. Solar panels generate the most power when they're exposed to direct sunlight

  2. Consider factors like shading and positioning to optimise solar panel efficiency. This can vary depending on your location, time of year, and any shade causing obstructions like trees. for example.

  3. The average usable sunlight (UV) is about 6 hours during the day, between 9:00am & 3:00pm. So base your numbers on this as a fair guide

Size Your Solar System Accordingly

Once you know your daily energy consumption and the approximate amount of sunlight available, you can determine the size of the solar power system needed.

  1. Divide your daily energy consumption (in watts by the average daily sunlight hours to get the minimum wattage of solar panels required.

  2. It's also essential to include a buffer to account for inefficiency factors like cloudy days. (Cloud restricts UV & reduces power input)

  3. Additionally, consider the capacity of your battery storage to ensure you can store excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours for use when the sun isn't shining.

How much power can I expect to generate from a solar panel?

As an example, if you have a 200watt solar panel, it will easily produce 200 watts of energy per hour in the right environment. However that depends on several factors…..

UV Sunlight Intensity

Solar panels generate electricity from sunlight (UV), so the intensity of sunlight directly affects power generation. Bright, direct sunlight produces more power than cloudy or shaded conditions.

Panel Efficiency

Different solar panels have varying levels of efficiency in converting sunlight into electricity. Higher efficiency panels can generate more power from the same amount of sunlight. It’s all about selecting a range from an ethical provider you know & trust!

Orientation and Tilt

The angle and orientation of the solar panel relative to the sun affect its efficiency. Ideally, panels should be positioned to receive maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day at 90 degrees to the sun as it moves throughout the day

Environmental Factors

Environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, high humidity, overcast weather, and even air pollution can also influence solar panel performance.

What type of solar panel is best suited for outdoor adventures?

Different types of solar panels, such as monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film, have varying characteristics that can impact performance, durability, and suitability for outdoor use

Fixed Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrystalline panels are made from a single crystal structure, offering high efficiency and sleek aesthetics

  • Monocrystalline solar panels are extremely popular, and well suited to the caravan and camping industry.

    Being of fixed glass and aluminium construction, means they are ideal for fitting permanently to the top of Caravans, soma Camper Trailers, and the likes of roof racks on 4WD’s.

    Allowing outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy extended off-grid adventures without sacrificing modern conveniences, their high efficiency and compact design, monocrystalline solar panels serve as indispensable companions for outdoor enthusiasts seeking some fun adventure!.

    • High efficiency, typically around 15-20%.

    • Space-efficient design, making them ideal for installations with limited space.

    • Higher cost compared to other panel types.

    • Slightly reduced performance in high temperatures.

Fixed Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Polycrystalline panels are made from multiple silicon fragments, offering a balance between efficiency and affordability

  • Polycrystalline solar panels are popular in applications where durability is crucial. Being silicone-based rather than glass, they are quite flexible, able to withstand twisting and bending to a certain extent. Moreover, they exhibit greater strength in handling extreme weather conditions such as hail.

    There is a resurgence in the use of polycrystalline solar panels within the marine industry, where the harsh conditions of the ocean demand resilient technology. Similarly, they are gaining popularity in camping vehicles that traverse rough, corrugated roads.

    • Lower cost compared to monocrystalline panels.

    • Good performance in high-temperature conditions.

    • Can handle more abuse, due to not being made from glass

    • Light weight, easily lifted and manouvered

    • Lower efficiency compared to monocrystalline panels, typically around 13-16%.

    • Larger physical size compared to monocrystalline panels for the same power output (if space is king, these are not as ideal)

    • Shorter efficiency lifespan. They will last as long as Monocrystalline solar panels, but will not be as efficient for as long, when it starts to discolour.

Folding Solar Blankets & Mats

These foldable and portable solar blankets and mats utilise Polycrystalline technology, making them ideal for compact, lightweight carry and portability for camping

  • Polycrystalline solar panels are popular in applications where things can get a little rough. Being silicone based (and not glass), means they are quite flexible with twisting & bending to a point. Not only that, they are stronger when it comes to handling extreme weather like hail.

    We’re seeing a resurgence in Polycrystalline solar panels with the marine industry due to the harshness the ocean can cough up, and also on the likes of camping vehicles that are driving on rough corrugated roads etc…

    • Compact and Lightweight: The use of Polycrystalline technology in these foldable solar blankets and mats ensures they are lightweight and easy to carry, making them perfect for camping and outdoor activities where space and weight are crucial factors.

    • Super Tough: Ideal for campers getting off the beaten track, these solar blankets and mats handle some pretty rough use. Spread them out on the ground, bonnet of your vehicle, even throw them up on the roof of your camper!

    • Sensitivity to Shade: Polycrystalline solar blankets & Mats, are more sensitive to shading compared to other technologies like monocrystalline. In camping scenarios, where trees or other objects may cast shadows, the efficiency of these foldable solar blankets and mats could be significantly reduced.

    • Limited Efficiency in Low Light Conditions: While Polycrystalline technology is efficient under direct sunlight, its performance diminishes in low light conditions. In areas with cloudy weather or during early morning and late evening hours, the ability of these solar blankets and mats to generate power may be compromised, affecting their usability during camping trips.

What additional equipment do I need to use solar panels effectively?

Beyond the solar panels themselves, customers may need to invest in complementary equipment like charge controllers, inverters, batteries, and cables to create a complete off-grid power system.

Solar Controller / Regulator

A solar controller regulates the voltage and current coming from the solar panels to ensure that your batteries are not overcharged or damaged. This is especially important for larger solar systems or when charging batteries!

Monitoring System

It's helpful to have a digital monitoring system that allows you to track the performance of your solar panels and the overall health of your system. This can help you identify any issues early and optimise your system for maximum efficiency

Battery

Solar panels generate electricity when the sun is shining, but you'll need batteries to store that energy for use when the sun isn't available, such as at night or on cloudy days. The type and capacity of batteries you need will depend on your energy requirements

Like to see more Solar Panel options?

See SOLAR PANELS