Complete sets for your camper
Solar Panels on Your Camper Van — Power Anytime, Anywhere.
From 120W entry-level to 2x185W Victron system — complete sets including charge controller, cable, and mounting material.
Always power
Independent of campsites with fixed connections — generate your own energy.
Complete sets
All-inclusive — solar panel, charge controller, cable and mounting material.
Free advice
Unsure which system suits your motorhome? WhatsApp Vincent – he'll help you out.
Why a solar panel on your camper?
Solar panels on your camper are becoming increasingly popular — and for good reason. With a solar panel set on your camper, you are not dependent on campsites with fixed power connections. In addition, you are being environmentally friendly and also saving a nice amount of money that you can use for other fun things.
Difficult? Not really. As long as you keep a few things in mind, you can equip almost any camper with solar panels. We have put together complete sets to make it as easy as possible. The 120W monocrystalline solar panel set is our best-selling set. Do you want a completely customized system? That's also possible.
Is my motorhome suitable for solar panels?
Yes – all campers are suitable for solar panels. A camper has at least two batteries: a starter battery and a leisure battery. The leisure battery is also called the accessory or house battery. This battery is used to power all electronic equipment in your camper. Every type of battery that can be in your camper is suitable for charging with solar energy – whether it's a lithium, AGM, GEL or semi-traction battery. For lithium batteries, settings may sometimes need to be changed; please check with us about this.
The idea is simple: make sure the house battery is always full, and you can live freely. You can charge it via the alternator, shore power, or solar panels. Solar panels are rarely standard in a camper and therefore need to be added.
Important: ensure the panel is free from shade. Because solar cells are wired in series internally, even a small amount of shade significantly impacts output. A 120W panel without shade will generate more power than a 185W panel that is partially shaded all day, for example, by a satellite dish. Keep this in mind when making your choice.
Glass or flexible solar panels on your camper?
Flexible solar panels are very attractive, super lightweight, and thanks to an ETFE top layer, they can now last up to 10 years. However, these panels also have disadvantages compared to glass panels. They are more expensive, heat up faster, which reduces their output, and despite a lifespan of up to 10 years, this is still less than the 25+ years that glass solar panels last.
Therefore, we recommend the following: if you have the option to install glass panels, this is preferred. If you are limited by weight and/or height or have an inclined surface, flexible panels are the perfect solution. In all other cases, you are better off with a glass solar panel.
How many peak watts do you need for your camper?
How many peak watts should the solar panel on your RV be? This depends on three things: what you want to achieve (extend your stay or be completely off-grid), which appliances you use, and which period of the year. December only provides two percent of the annual yield due to the short days and low solar intensity.
Please note: absorption refrigerators are not suitable for solar power — they simply consume too much. Only compressor refrigerators work well on solar power and are up to 7 times more efficient. A compressor refrigerator is typically running 20% of the time. If the label says 65 watts? Then in practice, it consumes 65 × 20% = 13 watts per hour.
Use Table 1 to calculate your daily consumption — fill in the wattage and hours of use for all your appliances. Sum the "Consumption" column to determine your total daily consumption in watt-hours.
Then compare your total consumption with table 2 — which shows the average daily yield per month for a 120W and 185W panel. Choose the months in which you are most on the road and check which panel has sufficient yield.
| Apparaat | Watt | Uren/dag | Verbruik |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koelkast (65W × 20%) | 13 | 24 | 312 Wh/dag |
| LED verlichting | 10 | 4 | 40 Wh/dag |
| Waterpomp | 60 | 0,1 | 6 Wh/dag |
| Telefoon | 10 | 2 | 20 Wh/dag |
| Totaal | 378 Wh |
Tabel 1: voorbeeldberekening verbruik per dag (24 uur).
| Maand | Zonnepaneel opbrengst | |
|---|---|---|
| 120 Watt | 185 Watt | |
| Januari | 144 Wh | 222 Wh |
| Februari | 216 Wh | 333 Wh |
| Maart | 408 Wh | 629 Wh |
| April | 432 Wh | 666 Wh |
| Mei | 540 Wh | 833 Wh |
| Juni | 552 Wh | 851 Wh |
| Juli | 552 Wh | 851 Wh |
| Augustus | 480 Wh | 740 Wh |
| September | 360 Wh | 555 Wh |
| Oktober | 240 Wh | 370 Wh |
| November | 144 Wh | 222 Wh |
| December | 96 Wh | 148 Wh |
Tabel 2: gemiddelde opbrengst per dag in wattuur per maand in Nederland.
The Charge Controller — Not Unimportant
The charge controller converts the voltage from the solar panel to the correct charging voltage for your battery. It charges in phases — bulk, trickle, and equalization — and stops automatically when the battery is full. This extends the life of your battery.
There are two types: the PWM controller and the MPPT controller. The PWM controller is the simpler of the two but proven reliable. It starts charging as soon as the solar panel exceeds the battery voltage. The MPPT controller is smarter—it constantly searches for the point at which the panel delivers the most power. Depending on the conditions, an MPPT controller can extract 10-30% more energy from the panel. An MPPT controller is significantly more expensive than a PWM controller—so for each system, you need to weigh up which is the best option for you.
Do you have two solar panels on your camper? Then almost always use an MPPT controller and connect the panels in series—plus from panel 1 to minus from panel 2. This way, you add up the voltages and have enough voltage to start charging even with little sunlight. Exception: if one panel is partially in the shade, connect them in parallel using Y-split connectors.
Installing solar panels on your RV
Self-installation is easier than it looks. You don't need extensive technical knowledge — mainly a knack for DIY and some time. The entire installation consists of four steps:
- Glue the solar panel to the roof with the supplied corner pieces and Sikaflex sealant.
- Drill a hole above the battery location and route the cable watertight indoors via the roof feed-through.
- Mount the charge controller near the battery and connect positive and negative.
- Connect the cable from the solar panel to the controller — the system is immediately operational.
Please note: the Sikaflex sealant must dry for at least 24 hours before you can safely hit the road. You can download the installation manual with every set.
Our solar panel kits for campers
Frequently asked questions
How many solar panels do I need for my camper van?
That depends on your daily consumption and the period you are away. Use the consumption table on this page to calculate your consumption and compare it with the yield table. In doubt? WhatsApp Vincent – he will help you for free.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
Yes – solar panels also work in cloudy weather. Less energy comes in, but the system continues to charge. Our panels are made of class A solar cells for the highest yield in both full sun and daylight.
Should I choose a glass or flexible solar panel?
Choose glass panels if possible – they last over 25 years and are cheaper. Flexible panels are the better choice if you are limited in height or weight, or have a sloped surface.
What is the difference between a PWM and MPPT charge controller?
A PWM controller is simple and reliable — suitable for smaller systems. An MPPT controller extracts 10-30% more energy from the panel and is recommended for larger systems or two panels.
Can I install solar panels myself?
Yes — the installation consists of four steps and does not require extensive technical knowledge. You can download the installation manual for each set.
Are our complete sets suitable for all campers?
Yes — all campers are suitable for solar panels. Our kits work with lithium, AGM, GEL and semi-traction batteries.
Still have questions? Vincent is happy to help.
Personal advice on solar panels for your camper van — free and without obligation.