Using solar panels for camping has many advantages. To benefit from the sun’s power while camping, it’s crucial to pick the best solar panels for your needs. Solar panels are excellent for powering lights, portable refrigerators, and charging smartphones, tablets, laptops, and RV batteries. For solar panels to be useful, you need to know the right ones to buy.
When it comes to choosing the best solar panels for camping, there are many to choose from. Large solar panels can be attached to RV, caravan, or camping trailer roofs. Or portable small solar panels are ideal for taking with you wherever you are outdoors. Then you can use small flexible solar panels for charging your mobile devices.
Camping with a solar setup means buying the right type of panel to power your equipment. It’s essential to check the panel’s size, type of solar cells, their charging efficiency, how much power you need, and your budget.
Our helpful guide to choosing the best solar panels for camping will help you buy the right panels. You will never be left in the dark without electricity if you choose the best solar equipment for your needs
Tips for Choosing the Solar Panel That Best Suits Your Needs
Camping solar-powered systems provide free electricity when you’re off-grid. The solar panels convert the sun’s energy into direct current (DC) electricity. The solar electricity recharges batteries, which you use to power your camping equipment.
1. Research your Solar Power needs
Before buying any kind of solar panel, you must know what equipment you want to power. Using solar power panels to recharge a mobile phone has different requirements than powering a camping refrigerator.
Here is a list of the most important factors to consider:
- Power—Think about the type of equipment you want to run. A 200-watt solar panel will take about six hours to charge a battery and give up to 100-amp hours of usable battery capacity. If you are charging gadgets, then a 20- or 40-watt portable solar panel will be enough.
- Appliances—The major factor influencing the number and size of solar panels for camping is your equipment. Power-hungry coolers and TVs need plenty of power. So, you’ll need enough wattage from solar panels to keep batteries charged. However, if all you need is lighting and charging capabilities, a smaller portable solar panel will be sufficient.
- Storage—Solar panels don’t power equipment directly. They charge batteries that run your devices. So, buying the right type of battery is also something to consider. Also, do you need a battery backup in case of bad weather?
- Mountable solar panels—Fixed solar panels have their advantages and disadvantages. Mounted solar panels are installed on RV or camping trailer roofs. These sturdy panels tend to be more powerful and efficient than portable ones. However, they are not always in the optimal position to capture the sun’s rays.
- Portable solar panels—These solar panels give you more flexibility to get solar power while camping. You can place them in the optimal location and at the optimal angle to charge solar batteries. Also, portable solar panels are ideal for camping in tents or hiking.
2. High-Quality Solar Panels
Buying solar panels is an investment, and the quality of panels should match your needs. For example, mountable solar panels should withstand all types of weather conditions. But they also need to be durable enough to put up with driving over different terrains. The best solar panels for camping are fully weatherproof and withstand even the harshest of conditions.
If you are looking to buy portable solar panels, make sure that all the connectors are weatherproofed. The USB and electrical charging sockets should have protection from rain, snow, and poor weather conditions.
3. Warranties for Solar Panels
Before buying a solar panel for off-grid camping, it’s good to check out the warranty. You should ensure that they come with at least a 2-year warranty. Of course, a more extended warranty is better. The best quality solar panels have power output warranties—sometimes up to 25 years.
Buying a solar panel that is backed up with a warranty gives you peace of mind. For example, if, over time, the power output drops, you will be able to exchange the solar power kit for a new one.
Power output is an essential factor when choosing the right solar panel to buy for the following two reasons:
- High power output charges batteries faster
- Power output affects how efficiently the solar panels operate
4. Different Types of Solar Cells
Another consideration when buying solar fixed or portable solar panels is the type of solar cells. Monocrystalline solar cells charge more efficiently. But polycrystalline solar cells are better for charging on overcast days. Solar panels using thin-film solar cells tend to be cheaper and flexible.
- Monocrystalline solar cells—Single-crystalline cells have a high-efficiency rate. Solar panels with these cells can be smaller without compromising on power output. They work most effectively when placed at a 90-degree angle to the sun. Monocrystalline solar panels are more expensive than their counterparts.
- Polycrystalline solar cells—Solar panels using multiple crystals charge effectively on cloudy days or in extreme heat. They are cheaper than monocrystalline ones, but the panels are larger to obtain the same power output.
- Thin-film solar cells—Thin layers of silicone are used to convert energy from the sun’s rays. These thin solar cells are the ultimate in portable solar power. If all you need is to charge smaller devices such as tablets and smartphones, thin-film solar cell panels are the best choice. Thin-film solar cells have the lowest power output from the other types of solar panels.
How to Choose Which Solar Panel for Camping is Best
There are many important factors to consider before buying a solar-powered panel system for camping. Knowing what appliances, you need to run, and the panel’s power output are the main factors. But it would be best if you also thought about weather conditions, portability, and how often you’ll use them.
Solar power is a way to run your equipment using a natural, renewable, and Eco-friendly source. When camping, you can avoid expensive electricity hook-up fees. Or you can keep all your gadgets fully charged when hiking or camping outdoors, away from civilization.