The usefulness of solar panels for Van Roof cannot be overemphasized. You can use them to provide charge for your car batteries while on a lonely road with no sign of help. Powerful solar panels can also power up appliances inside your camper van. However, you would need to acquire a couple of boards to deliver the power required for more devices.
Solar panels can only provide power when there is adequate sunlight. At night, even the most potent boards are useless.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the best solar panels for RV and vans. All the products listed in this article are tested and trusted by our specialist. You would have little or no issues using them.
While going through this article, you will stumble upon a buying guide to determine what and which solar panel to get.
Are you ready for this epic ride? Let’s begin
Unlike flexible solar panels, rigid solar panels have a glass covering the solar cells. The glass is resistant to scratch and water-resistant. We picked the Renogy 100 Watts Solar Panel as our best rigid solar panel after considering many factors. This product has some cool features and a great life span.
After purchasing this product, here’s what you get out of the box; a 30A Negative Ground Charge, Solar Panel Connects, 100W Solar Panel, 8ft 10AWG Tray Cable, Mounting Z brackets for RV. All of these parts are essential. With the 30A PWM charge controller, you can expand your structure up to 400W. This solar panel’s ideal output is 500W; it can charge a 50Ah real good in three hours. The solar panels are solidly built and easy to install. Thanks to the tilt mounts, you can easily adjust this solar panel’s position on your camper van.
If you are looking for an excellent rigid solar panel to use for your travels, I would highly recommend the Renogy 100 Watts Solar Panel; mounting it on your camper van is easy, thanks to the tilt mounts included.
It’s okay if you do not have money for an expensive solar panel. I found a low budget one that you can get. It has some great functions found in costly solar panels. The RICH SOLAR 100 Watt Solar Panel is a 100 Watt solar panel that should last for a long time on your camper van before needing a replacement.
With the RICH SOLAR 100 Watt Solar Panel, you can connect multiple panels in your van or RV; however, there is a limit. The ideal output of this product is 500W per day, and this number depends on the availability of sunlight. This solar panel for Van also has bypass diodes that ensure optimal performance even in low light conditions. Mounting this solar panel on your camper van is pretty easy, thanks to the pre-drilled holes at the back of the board. There are also tilt mounts made available by rich solar. The RICH SOLAR 100 Watt Solar Panel is compatible with on-grid and off-grid inverters.
Besides being a cheap and affordable solar panel, it is also lightweight, which makes installation easier. You can buy as many boards as possible for your RV or van for an unlimited power supply.
Meet the Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel. It is foldable and perfect for summer camping. I would recommend this solar panel for people who do not want to mount a solar panel over their vans. This product is a solar generator that works well with an Explorer 160/240/500.
If you are looking for a portable solar panel for unexpected power outages while camping, the Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel is a great pick. You can fold it after use, which makes it portable and convenient to carry wherever you go. However, you will need to purchase the Jackery power station Explorer separately. This product also comes with a solar charge equipped with one USB Type-C port and one USB Type-A port, charging multiple devices simultaneously. This device also has a higher efficiency than regular solar panels.
Is it safe to use? Yes, it has surge protection, overpower protection, short current protection, and more. This solar panel is perfect for people who do not want to hang a solar panel on their camper van. You should consider buying this.
Meet the POWOXI Solar Panel. It is one of the best solar panels for Van. This product is made of ETFE material, and it has a lifespan of 15 years. With this product, you can charge and maintain your 12V batteries throughout the year. The POWOXI Solar Panel is 100W. That’s not all; there is more.
The cables on this product are compatible with MC4 connects; this means you can connect panels in series; this feature lets you use as many solar panels as possible. The POWOXI Solar Panel is more efficient in generating power, and it also charges faster than other solar panels. You don’t have to worry about the solar panel getting damaged by intense heat or water; the product is resistant to moisture and heat. You can also use this product while it is snowing without having to worry about it breaking.
The POWOXI Solar Panel is perfect for people who want more power for their camper van. It is flexible, lightweight, and pretty much easy to install. If you are looking for a flexible solar panel for your camper van, I would recommend this product.
Traveling is fun, but not so much when the distance is too far, and your phone’s battery is about to die. With this solar panel, you can choose to take a quick break, mount the boards, and charge your devices. The XINPUGUANG 200W Solar Panel is ideal for travel. We highly recommend it.
This product is compatible with mobile devices and cameras, and it can provide a reasonable charge that will last for hours, given that there’s adequate solar energy. It has a USB output for your Android or iOS devices. The XINPUGUANG 200W Solar Panel is a 200W foldable and portable solar panel. It weighs just 11.3 lb and is easy to carry around. You can mount it behind your camper VAN or on top; the choice is yours. The maximum working current is 10A, and the operating voltage is 20V. The installation process is pretty much easy if you follow the instructions.
The XINPUGUANG 200W Solar Panel is a fantastic product that will keep your devices charged throughout your trip. The packing list comes with 1 set of cable adapters, 1 set of cable with alligator clips, 200W solar charger, 20A controller with connector.
Have you ever been stuck on a lonely road on a hot afternoon with no one to help charge your camper van batteries? I have been there before, and I know how disheartening it feels. With the DOKIO 150w Solar Panel, you never have to worry about your batteries dying; simply expose the panels to sunlight and use the converted energy to power up your dead batteries.
This product is also very durable and portable. Thanks to the handle, you can easily carry the solar panel. It can charge your car battery and also provide light in your shed. Another thing worthy of note is that it weighs 4.1kg, has a thickness of 2.4cm, yet it gives 150W of power. You can use this solar panel with all 12V batteries. Is it waterproof? Yes, the DOKIO 150w Solar Panel is waterproof, but you should not leave it outside for a long time. This product does not come with a stand; you would have to lean or hang it on your Van.
This solar panel for camper Van does a great job of converting energy from sunlight to charge your car batteries. Remember that this product is for 12V batteries.
Here’s one of my favorite solar panels for campers. The ECO-WORTHY 120W Foldable Solar Panel has many shades of uniqueness. It provides 120W of power, yet it is foldable and lightweight. Carrying this solar panel around wouldn’t be an issue as it is light. I would highly recommend this product for people looking for ideal camper solar panels.
This product has battery charge protection; the 20A LCD controller will protect your Gel/lead/Lithium battery from short circuit and overcharging while charging it. Embedded in this solar panel are 5V USB ports; these ports can charge phones, cameras, and tablets. There is a zipper pouch for storing the controller and cables. The adjustable bracket makes it easy to mount this solar panel on your camper van or the floor. There’s also a hook in case you want to hang the board to a tree.
The ECO-WORTHY 120W Foldable Solar Panel does a great job of converting energy from the sun to electricity that can power your 12V batteries or mobile devices. It is quite affordable, and you should consider getting this.
Do you have a long and massive van with a couple of things to power up? If yes, is the answer to that question, you will need to spend some money on a solar panel that would power up most of the equipment in your van. This product has a power of 800W, which is ideal for a massive van.
The ECO-WORTHY 800W 24V Solar Panel has an output power of 3.2kwh daily; this number depends on sunlight’s availability. This package comes with eight panels of 100W each, totaling 800W. Connecting the boards is pretty much straightforward, thanks to the AWG cable. This product also comes with a 60A LCD charge controller suitable for sealed Flooded, Gel, and Li battery. These solar panels for Van come with Z-mounting bracket kits. Mounting the boards should be easy.
You can comfortably use this system with a computer and other things. However, try not to overload it. Another set should be enough to power a fridge and washing machine. It is expensive but completely worth it.
Rigid solar panels might not do so well on uneven surfaces. The best boards for these kinds of surfaces are flexible solar panels. We decided to choose to go with the Tp-solar Flexible Solar Panel as the best solar panel van kit for uneven surfaces.
This product is fantastic when it comes to charging 12V can or van batteries. If you have 28 or 48-volt batteries, you can wire the panel in series; it will recharge them. Be sure to use a controller to ensure the battery’s safety. The Tp-solar Flexible Solar Panel has great bendability, and it can curve to a maximum of 30 degrees. This product is also durable and resistant to water. You can leave this solar panel out in the rain without having to worry. It is 0.1 inch and weighs 3.72 lbs. Mounting the panel is cheap and easy. I would highly recommend it.
Hanging regular solar panels on uneven surfaces can be a pain in the neck. For ease and rest of mind, you should get the Tp-solar Flexible Solar Panel; its flexibility makes it perfect for uneven surfaces.
Are you looking for Van Solar Panels that would be perfect for USB devices? Meet the COOCHEER Solar Panel 120W. You should get a full charge on all your USB devices with the help of this solar panel. This product has multi ports for multi-purpose.
The COOCHEER Solar Panel 120W has many features worthy of note, one of which is three USB ports; It has one USB fast-charge port, one Type-C port, and one USB port. You also get one DC smart charging port. Type-C port provides 20V, the USB port provides up to 3A, while the DC port offers 6.7A. With this product, your device would receive power without overcharging or overloading complications. This solar panel is also durable and waterproof. However, the junction box isn’t waterproof.
This product is foldable, making it easy to use and store. It also has a handle that makes it easy to carry around. You can power three devices simultaneously with the COOCHEER Solar Panel 120W.
Have you found the perfect solar panel for your van? Here’s a bit of final advice from me. If you want a solar board that would power your mini audio device, mobile phone, and other small electronic devices, I would suggest you get portable or flexible solar panels. If you are looking at powering many appliances in your van, you can get a series of rigid or fixed solar panels.
There you have it. You have heard from us, and now, we would love to hear from you. Which solar panel are you buying? Have you used any of the best solar panels in this article? What was your experience? The comment section is open for your views.