Ultimate Guide to Caravan Solar Panels in The UK

Caravans offer a certain amount of independence from the outside world and home comforts. Using your energy to run appliances might be beneficial, which is where caravan solar panels come in.   

Depending on the size of your system and the quantity of power you use, you can save money by producing your electricity and eliminating connection or overnight costs. This article explains which solar panel types are appropriate for caravans, how many watts are needed for particular appliances, and how to pick the best solar panels for your caravan.  

Apart from the rooftop or rigid solar panels on your caravan, we recommend the Jackery Solar Generator, which combines Jackery Solar Panels with a Portable Power Station to charge your caravan appliances with merely no noise; it can perfectly fit in your vehicle. 

When Are Caravan Solar Panels? 

Solar panels harness the solar energy to produce electricity. Solar electricity is one of the most widely used and well-known renewable energy sources. While there are many varieties of solar panels, most of them function similarly. When solar panels come into contact with daylight, they absorb solar energy.

One kind of solar panel made especially to be mounted on caravans is the caravan solar panel. The way they operate is not too dissimilar from that of domestic solar panels.

The photoelectric cells in these solar panels transform sun energy into electrical power for your caravan's equipment. The system is additionally connected to a controller to control the flow of electricity and store it in a battery.

However, portable solar panels have a slightly different design and construction because they may be made to fit caravans and recreational vehicles. They can also be made to be slightly lighter.

Why Do Caravan Solar Panels Matter? 

Caravan solar panels are more economical than alternative power sources such as battery packs or gas tanks.

This is partially attributable to silicon-based technologies that optimise power output over a longer duration. For several hundred GBP, one can acquire a solar panel for their caravan to satisfy electricity requirements and endure for approximately 25 years.

Less Ongoing Cost: In comparison, propane, gas or diesel generators and battery packs necessitate ongoing refilling and replacement, rendering them significantly more costly in the short and long term than solar panels. Contemporary solar panels generally weigh about 15 kilogrammes, facilitating easy transport without burdening your vehicle or elevating fuel usage.    

Save Money on Power: Purchasing a mobile solar system will enable you to park in distant or unpowered locations, saving you money on pricey powered campsites. Powered campsites can be rather expensive, especially considering their value. Unless you enjoy the company of boisterous campers, you may find it unsettling to pay more for power access.

Freedom to Travel Remotely: Access to solar energy allows you to live freely; without it, you rely on places with electricity. When you travel off the grid, you can use solar power to create your electricity, so you don't have to worry about your refrigerator freezing over.

Solar Is Silent: An utterly silent camp, except for the sounds of nature, is the best. Solar operates quietly so that you can enjoy the outdoors. You can drive far away from congested powered sites, and loud generators won't disturb your site. In addition to being pricey and odorous, generators damage the environment more often than they help.

Types of Caravan Solar Panels

Caravan solar panels can be classified by usage and PV materials. No matter what type of solar panel, there are pros and cons; you can choose one according to your requirements and caravan spaces.

Types of Caravan Solar Panels by Usages

Portability is a critical consideration in the caravan sector. Solar panels for caravans can be either fixed or moveable. Your decision will hinge on your preferred placement of the panels.

While there are advantages and disadvantages, a notable difference exists between them. Portable and foldable solar panels are mobile and may be repositioned to track the sun, whereas mounted panels are affixed to the roof.  

Mounted Caravan Solar Panels

Contemporary caravans, campers, and motorhomes have solar panels on the roof or other flat surfaces. This is a practical approach for the conveyance and application of solar panels.

Mounted panels possess a lengthy history and have garnered a favourable reputation. The analysis indicates that this product suits home and commercial applications. The glass panels are secured to the roof with a sturdy framework. Moreover, their positioning guarantees sufficient ventilation to lower their discharge temperature.  

Portable Caravan Solar Panels

Certain persons opt for portable solar panels for caravans. These panels are lighter, semi-flexible, and offer certain advantages, although they are significantly more costly, perhaps up to four times the price of their counterparts. If you possess a fixed budget, contemplate this matter.

Notably, the maintenance expenses associated with portable solar panels are negligible. Moreover, they are beneficial in locations with direct sunshine. Without a power supply, portable solar panels might be essential for maintaining the charge of your electronic devices.

These panels can be easily adhered with silicone to a curved roof, negating the necessity for mounting brackets to maintain your towing capability. Portable solar panels have diminished efficacy in overcast or adverse weather conditions due to their reliance on sunlight for electricity generation.       

Folding Caravan Solar Panels

Folding solar panels are transforming the caravanning sector. These innovative solar panels are popular among travellers due to their ease of storage and transport in a trailer.

Folding solar panels provide a portable and effective method for harnessing solar energy for your trailer. They can supply the requisite energy to operate your electronics, appliances, and additional equipment without an alternate power source.  

Folding solar panels for caravans necessitates minimal upkeep. You can wipe them with a clean cloth to maintain cleanliness and prevent dust and debris accumulation. These solar modules can be relocated to the sunniest places of the campsite. This flexibility enables the optimisation of solar energy capture. Jackery Solar Panels are portable and foldable solar panels, allowing you to take them anywhere and find the best angle to absorb more sunlight!

Types of Caravan Solar Panels by Materials

Three primary categories of caravan solar panels are classified by materials: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. The optimal solar panel type for your installation will be contingent upon your preferences and the individual characteristics of your caravan.

Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Commonly referred to as single-crystal panels, these are fabricated from a singular pure silicon crystal sliced into many wafers. Due to their composition of pure silicon, they can be easily recognised by their dark black hue.

Utilising pure silicon renders monocrystalline panels the most space-efficient and durable of the three types of solar panels. Jackery Solar Panel use this type of PV material to turn more sunlight into electricity. Nonetheless, this incurs a significant expense - substantial silicon is squandered in producing a single monocrystalline cell, occasionally exceeding 50%. This incurs a considerable cost.

Polycrystalline Solar Panel

As the name indicates, these originate from several silicon crystals rather than a single one. The silicon fragments are liquefied and cast into a square mould. This renders polycrystalline cells far more economical due to minimal wastage, resulting in their distinctive square configuration.

Nonetheless, this renders them less efficient regarding energy conversion and spatial utilisation, as their silicon purity and construction quality are inferior to that of monocrystalline panels. They possess diminished heat tolerance, rendering them less effective in elevated temperature settings.

Thin-Film Solar Panel

Thin-film panels are defined by highly slender layers that provide sufficient flexibility. Each panel is frame-free, resulting in reduced weight and simplified installation. In contrast to crystalline silicon panels, available in standardised sizes of 60, 72, and 96-cell configurations, thin-film panels can be produced in various dimensions to meet particular requirements. Nonetheless, their efficiency is inferior to that of conventional silicon solar panels.

How Do Caravan Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels are vital for outdoor lovers seeking to harness solar energy for electricity generation while enjoying nature.

Caravan solar panels consist of semiconducting materials, primarily silicon, which transform sunlight into electrical energy. When sunlight impinges upon the surface of a collapsable solar panel, electrons inside the semiconductor material are energised, resulting in their movement and the generation of an electric current.

Connecting your caravan's solar panel must be executed with precision. Specific solar panels are equipped with MC4 connectors. It renders the wiring of your system watertight. Caravans want waterproof wiring due to their construction for enduring various weather conditions.

How Do Jackery Solar Panels Work?

Jackery Solar Panels employ monocrystalline solar cells, the best grade available, to absorb greater light and achieve superior energy conversion efficiency. Solar connectors and cables are required to link Jackery Solar Panels with Portable Power Stations.

Jackery Solar Panels generally convert solar energy into electricity. The solar cables and connectors connect solar panels to Jackery Portable Power Stations for maximum energy storage and utilisation. Jackery solar panels can be utilised to recharge your portable power stations using solar energy.

Jackery Solar Panels can be interconnected in series or parallel with power stations produced by other manufacturers. Solar panels, AC outlets, and carports are viable sources for charging portable power stations. The pass-through function enables simultaneous power supply to devices and the transportable power station.

How Many Solar Panels Do You Need for Caravan? 

Use these methods to determine how many solar panels a caravan needs based on how much power it uses:

Step 1: Assessing Your Power Consumption

Knowing how much power your RV uses daily is the key to a good solar setup and determining how many solar panels you need. There are wattage requirements for both starting and operating each device. The steps to calculate your needs are as follows:

Check the labels of your appliances to find out their wattage needs, or use the accompanying table of common caravan appliances.

Use the formula Volts (V) x Amps (A) = Watts (W) to convert volts/amps to watts.

Ensure your appliances' total operating wattage does not exceed your generator's running watt rating.

To calculate your total beginning watts, consider the initial wattage of the equipment with the greatest need.

Step 2: Solar Panel Output Rating

Determining the daily energy production of your RV or caravan solar panels requires knowing their power rating. For instance, a 400-watt solar panel exposed to seven hours of maximum sunshine daily may provide 2,800 watts of power daily. Modify this according to weather conditions, such as cloudy days, for a more accurate approximation.

You will want at least two 400W solar panels to satisfy your caravan's energy demands if it uses 5,000 watts daily. 

The formula of daily output per panel:

Daily Output = Panel Rating × Peak Sun Hours.

The formula for calculating number of panels needed:

Number of Panels = Daily Output Per Panel/Total Daily Consumption.

Jackery Solar Generators for Caravans 

The folding handles of Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels provide convenient movement at any time and in any location. Due to its superior efficiency, these solar panels convert more sunlight into usable energy than traditional solar panels. Although more economical, Jackery Solar Panels have superior 25% energy conversion rates compared to other panels.

Jackery Solar Panels should be utilised with Jackery Portable Power Stations to store generated electricity in a lithium-ion battery, thereby maintaining the charge of all your devices. Consequently, it is essential to possess a Jackery Solar Generator.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus: SolarSaga 200W + Explorer 2000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is the combo of Explorer 2000 Plus portable power station with SolarSaga 200W solar panels. Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is a breakthrough in expandable charging technology, which can support a caravan's power needs for weeks.

Expanding capacity from 2 kWh to a fantastic 12 kWh - ideal for caravan, a single Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus power station supports up to 5 add-on battery packs at a time. Expandable to 3000W, a 30% rated power boost above other 2 kWh solutions available on the market.    

The Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panel boasts a solar conversion rate of up to 25%, facilitating rapid adoption of eco-friendly energy solutions. The ETFE-laminated case prolongs its durability, and the suggested angle guarantees optimal sunlight absorption, rendering it an ideal power source.

It is portable, collapsable, and may be immediately connected to a power station for an optimal solar power system. Boasting a power output 200W, it delivers the most rapid solar charging experience in Jackery's existing solar panel collection.

• Expandable Capacity: Excellent expandable capacity from 2 kWh to 12 kWh to satisfy all your power needs.
• 25% Higher Energy Conversion Rate: The solar panel, composed of monocrystalline silicon solar cells, utilises multi-layered cell technology to harness energy from sunshine.
• Longer Lifespan: Equipped with LiFePO4 battery to have an extended lifespan of 10 years.
• ChargeShield Technology: The innovative variable-speed charging algorithm enhances battery longevity by 50% with quick charge technology.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2: SolarSaga 100W + Explorer 1000 v2

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is the smallest and lightest 1 kWh solar generator, which pairs the Explorer 1000 v2 portable power station with SolarSaga 100W solar panels.  

The Explorer 1000 v2 portable power station provides a phenomenal 1500W output, 50% more than prior editions, to efficiently run caravan appliances, including fridges, portable ACs, coffee makers, etc.

With USB-A/C connections and up to 100W dual PD charging, it can charge several devices (phone, laptop) concurrently, therefore serving as the best friend for all your power requirements. Enabled using the app, the Emergency Charge Mode lets the Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station be wholly charged in less than an hour, providing vital power backup when your battery runs low.      

The Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel boasts a solar conversion rate of up to 25%; it is optimally designed for outdoor use and unforeseen power interruptions. The solar panel weighs about 8 lbs, is lightweight, foldable, and equipped with a convenient carry handle, enhancing its portability. The SolarSaga 100W has two kickstands that may be securely positioned on any surface.  

• Emergency Super Charging: Up to 7 times faster², achieving a full charge in as little as 1 hour.
• ChargeShield 2.0™ Battery Technology: Numerous dependable certifications, 62 layers of safeguarding.
• 25% High Energy Conversion: The advanced solar cells with multi-layer tech deliver up to 25% more efficiency than standard panels.
• Next-Gen Bifacial Portable Solar Panel 100W: Proprietary Shock-Resistant Technology, 30% Lighter than industry standards, zero shading, provides enhanced power for outdoor survival.

How to Choose The Best Caravan Solar Panels?

Evaluate your needs and the length of your journey prior to selecting the most suitable caravan solar panels. When acquiring solar panels for a caravan, various considerations must be evaluated:  

The Wattage of Solar Panel: Different solar panels possess distinct power ratings, but their size often correlates with solar energy production capacity. Under ideal conditions of sunlight and temperature, the wattage of a solar panel shows its power production. Depending on their power generation capacity, you can determine the perfect number of solar panels for your caravanning requirements.            

Solar Panel Sizes: Although most caravans possess adequate capacity for solar panel installation, this is not always applicable to the vehicle utilised for transportation. Consider a smaller solar panel if space is constrained, weather conditions are consistent, and energy requirements are minimal.    

Caravan Trip Duration: Twelve months, one month, or one night? A tiny solar panel and portable power station will be adequate for infrequent one-night camping excursions. Regular caravaners or full-time caravanners want increased power output and storage to charge vital devices.

How to Install Your Caravan Solar Panels?

When installing a caravan solar panel system, follow the three steps below.

Step 1: Calculate how much power your caravan needs.

Get the amount of current that each appliance in your caravan draws by doing the following calculation s to get the necessary battery capacity. This is frequently stated in amps on the appliance's body, manual, or packaging.

To find the current, however, even if all you know is the wattage rating (W), divide that by the battery voltage. For example, you want a 12 V power supply with a 1.2-watt LED. There will be a current of 0.1 amps (1.2 W / 12 V).

Apply this to every appliance you own. Calculate the approximate duration of each appliance's daily use.

Step 2: Gather your tools and equipment.

The following step is to get the tools and equipment you'll need for the installation.

Invest in a DIY installation kit, which includes nearly all the components, for the easiest installation experience possible.

This kind of kit usually consists of the following: two solar panels, mounting brackets or adhesive, cables, a charge controller, a fuse, and connectors. Solar kits often do not include An inverter and battery, so you must purchase those separately.

However, you may buy each component individually if you have a particular brand in mind.

Step 3: Install your solar panels and connect anything.

It's time to connect and install everything now. Before continuing, you should be aware that you are working with electricity. Furthermore, if you need to know what you're doing, this may quickly turn dangerous, as is to be anticipated with anything involving electricity.

Then, it is far preferable to seek expert assistance rather than run the danger of getting hurt. Now that's out of the way, follow the installation instructions below. Remember that the procedure is identical for 12- and 24-volt systems.

Caravan Solar Panels FAQs

The following are the frequently asked questions about the caravan solar panels in the UK:

1. Are solar panels on caravans worth it?

The recreational battery powers the appliances in a caravan or motorhome. By installing solar panels, the battery's lifespan may be increased by being frequently recharged with pure solar energy. The charge controller controls how much electricity is supplied to the battery.

2. Is a 200W solar panel enough for a caravan?

For 1-2 people, a little camper van or caravan. Enough power should be available for basic illumination, phone charging, and overnight use of a mini fridge or other small appliances using a single 200W panel and a 100Ah battery pack. Simple and reasonably priced, this solar setup is ideal for weekend getaways.

3. How much does it cost to have a solar panel fitted to a caravan?

Caravan solar panels range in price from £70 to £1,000. Ultimately, the primary drawback of caravans is that many of them still require fossil fuels for operation, making them unreliable enough to go entirely off the grid. Fortunately, you may overcome this by mounting a few solar panels on the top of your caravan.

Final Thoughts

People select caravan solar panels for capacity, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. They are the ideal device for any large caravan configuration. Solar energy has been employed in various domains, particularly in outdoor activities. This guide provides information about solar panels for caravans, including the option to choose Jackery Solar Panels with Portable Power Stations for efficient caravan power supply.