How many solar panels do I need for my camper van?

vctrade.nl Solar energy for camper vans Reading time: ~5 minutes

You've got your camper van ready, the route planned—and one question lingers: how many solar panels do I actually need? Too few, and your battery will be dead when you need it most. Too many, and you'll spend unnecessary money. In this article, we'll explain it step by step.

Step 1: Determine your daily power consumption

Everything starts with one simple question: which appliances do you use in your camper van, and for how long each day? Each appliance consumes a certain number of Watts (W). Multiply that by the number of hours you use it, and you'll know the consumption in Watt-hours (Wh).

Calculation example

Lighting: 30 Wh/day
Phone charging: 15 Wh/day
Compressor refrigerator: 400 Wh/day
Laptop charging: 50 Wh/day
Water pump: 20 Wh/day

Total daily consumption: 515 Wh per day

Are you unsure about an appliance's consumption? Check the label or manual. If only amperage (A) is listed, multiply it by 12 (volts) to calculate the power in Watts.

Step 2: Calculate how many solar panels you need

A solar panel doesn't deliver its maximum power all day long. In the Netherlands and Belgium, as a rule of thumb, you can count on an average of 3 peak sun hours per day during the camper season (April–September).

Required Wp = Daily consumption (Wh) ÷ Sun hours per day

For our example: 515 Wh ÷ 3 sun hours = ±172 Watt-peak.

This is a rule of thumb—useful for getting a first impression. Do you want more precise advice based on your specific appliances and travel behavior? Then use the calculator below, which will calculate it exactly for you.

Do you drive a lot and also charge the battery while driving via a DC/DC charger? Then you have extra charging capacity during the day and can get by with slightly fewer panels.

Use the calculator: which set suits you?

You don't have to calculate with pen and paper. Check your appliances below and indicate how you travel—the tool will immediately show you which solar panel set suits your situation.

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Which solar panel set do you need?

Check which appliances you use and indicate how you travel.
We will recommend the set that fits your situation.

Step 1 — Which appliances do you use?

Step 2 — When will you be travelling?

☀ Camper season April to September

🌤 Extended season April to October

Step 3 — How independent do you want to be?

⚡ Hybrid Panel + driving & hookup
~2 days off-grid

🏕 Mostly off-grid Occasional recharging
~3 days off-grid

☀ Completely off-grid Panel sole source
Unlimited

🏕 Mostly off-grid — The panel supplies most of your consumption. You drive or sometimes hook up to recharge—how much sun shines determines the rest.

Total consumption per day

0 Wh/day

0 Wh

☀ Solar energy 🔌 Driving & hookup

⚡

Check appliances to start You will immediately see which solar panel set suits your situation.

🏴 Calculation based on average solar yield in the Netherlands.

In doubt? Ask a question via WhatsApp or email — Vincent will help you further.

Don't forget the battery

Solar panels are only useful if there's a suitable battery behind them. The battery stores the generated energy during the day, so you can use it in the evening or on cloudy days.

AGM battery: only 50% usable capacity—a 100Ah battery effectively provides 50Ah.
LiFePO4 lithium battery: up to 95% usable capacity, lighter, and charges faster.

If you opt for AGM, always take at least twice what you think you'll need, due to the limited usable capacity.

Consider your roof situation

The available roof space also determines how many panels you can fit. Our 120W and 185W panels are glass monocrystalline panels. A 120W panel measures 106 x 59 cm, a 185W panel is 148 x 67 cm—both excluding mounting brackets. Carefully measure your roof space before ordering.