The ideal solar panel configuration depends on the size of your campervan and your power needs. For small campervans with limited roof space and minimal power requirements, consider using one or two 100-150 watt monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels.
It is an ideal choice for campervans, caravans, or boats, as well as many other applications where reliable solar energy is required. Solar panel dimensions: 1200 x 540 x 35 mm For large loads and frequent use, then this 100W 12V Photonic Universe monocrystalline solar charging kit with 10A automatic solar charge controller is what you need.
Firstly, the solar panel must be securely attached to the roof. The last thing you want is it flying off halfway down the M5. The second consideration is that you’ll need to drill through your campervan’s roof to feed the cables from the solar panel, to connect to the leisure battery.
Solar panel dimensions: 1200 x 540 x 35 mm For large loads and frequent use, then this 100W 12V Photonic Universe monocrystalline solar charging kit with 10A automatic solar charge controller is what you need. The 100W Photonic Universe monocrystalline solar panel will generate approximately 400 watt-hours of power with 4 hours of sunlight.
If you cannot use a conventional rigid solar panel because the roof of your campervan is curved, then a flexible solar panel could be the way to go. A flexible solar panel will follow the contours of the roof and have the added advantage of being much lighter than a tempered glass aluminium-framed solar panel.
A small 12v battery will charge quicker than a larger one, but once the battery is fully charged any additional power produced by the solar panel will be wasted rather than stored in the battery for use later on. So, as a rule, it’s not a good idea to use a large solar panel to charge a small battery.