One of the most appealing features of caravans and motorhomes is the ability to truly get away from it all. That is, as far away from it all as you can get but still remain hooked to a source of electricity. So then, what should you do if you wish to travel to a very distant and off-the-grid location? Or if you don’t want to spend the extra money for an electric hook-up? Simple: you invest in solar panels.
How Do You Pick the Best Solar Panel for Your Needs?
The practical caravan solar systems have grown in popularity in recent years. It has been stated that this is the outcome of either a more ecologically conscious society or a customer demand for greater freedom and an “off-the-grid” life.
Whatever the motivation, it appears that mobile campervan solar systems are set to stay, with 2022 trends favouring smaller, lighter designs. There is a range of high-quality solar panels geared for your caravan camping adventures, depending on your power needs. Fixed, folding, flexible, and blanket solar panels are the four types available.
It’s critical to spend some time researching solar panels before purchasing them, since purchasing the incorrect design for your caravan or motorhome is likely to be a waste of money and will keep you away from solar energy for a long time. If you buy one with a low output, you’ll run out of power frequently and become frustrated. If you choose one that is too huge and strong, you’ll spend more than you need to and won’t receive good value for money.
Take your caravan away for a short break and record how much electricity you consume before investing in a caravan solar system. Set off with a fully charged battery, avoid electric hookups, and see how long the battery lasts. To get a true view of how much electricity you need, don’t misuse your appliances to save energy. Instead, use your devices normally. Do this over several days, as a single day is unlikely to produce a reliable result.
Solar Electricity as a Primary Generator
Solar power as a key source of caravan power is a little more complicated. Basically, you’ll want to make sure you have enough solar energy to power all of your daily demands, such as hot water systems, 12-volt lighting, pumps, and anything else that uses 12-volt power.
Depending on your RV camping habits and lifestyle, you will demand different amounts of power. Campers who are conscious of their energy consumption, for example, will require far less solar energy than those who are accustomed to operating various appliances and electronic devices. When shopping for a new solar panel system, avoid going with the cheapest and first option available, as this can lead to problems down the road. Remember, you get what you pay for.
Solar Energy as a Back-Up
Many campers use solar panels as an “emergency backup” for their main battery. Caravan batteries, like standard automobile batteries, can lose power if they are left unused for long periods, such as between trips, during storage, or non-use seasons.
Some campers use a small solar panel known as a “trickle charger” to continuously charge their battery while it is not in use to lessen the risks of their batteries expiring unexpectedly. This can prolong the life of your battery while also saving money.
RV Solar System Usage and Preservation Tips
Remember that even the tiniest shadow might alter the quantity of power generated when using crystalline panel caravan solar systems. Always ensure that the whole surface is exposed to direct sunlight.
Glass or plastic will significantly reduce the amount of power generated by a solar panel, requiring up to three times the amount of sunlight to recharge your battery. Again, make sure that as much of the panel as possible is exposed to direct sunshine.
Check with the manufacturer of your caravan or motorhome before purchasing a new solar panel to ensure that it will fit properly. If the normal clips are insufficient, you may need to purchase special adapters.
Position your solar panel to capture as much of the strongest sunlight during the midday hours. During the summer, the panels should be directly overhead, but at other times of the year, you will need to reposition them.
Keep in mind that to create enough energy, your battery must be kept in perfect condition. To ensure optimum performance, maintain and replace the battery as needed. Although not much energy will be generated during the winter months, a solar panel with at least 20 watts should be sufficient to keep your caravan running until your next visit.
Replacing inefficient halogen lamps with LEDs will drastically reduce the amount of energy you spend and, as a result, the amount of energy your solar panel needs to create. Pollution, grime, traffic dust, and bird droppings can all obstruct sunlight from reaching your solar panel.
Clean your solar panels with warm water and dishwashing soap regularly to remove dirt and keep them as efficient as possible. If you observe a decrease in the amount of power produced, one of the most common and simple solutions is to clean the panels.