Caravanning can be a great source of freedom and adventure, but as caravans become more popular, the demand for sustainable and off-grid power solutions also increases.
Caravan solar panel kits have become a popular eco-friendly choice for powering appliances and devices while on the road. They can also help to prevent your battery going flat at the most inconvenient time possible, as we all know that that’s when it’s bound to happen!
In this article, we will explore the key considerations and provide recommendations for the best caravan solar panel kits in the UK.
Best Options At A Glance
Product Summaries
Nicesolar 20W 12V Solar Panel Kit
- Brand - Nicesolar
- Dimensions - 40 x 34 x 2.5 cm
- Weight - 2.14 kg
- Wattage - 20W
- Special Feature - PWM Technology
Firstly we have the Nicesolar 20W 12V Solar Panel Kit. It’s currently selling for £40/$51 on Amazon.
Despite it’s affordable price, this 20 watt kit uses high efficiency monocrystalline solar cells for optimum power conversion. It has a peak power of 20 watts and a max voltage of 18 volts, and the pre-drilled holes make it really to setup.
It’s constructed from a durable aluminium frame and tempered glass, making it more than capable of withstanding high winds and snow. It’s also corrosion resistant and IP67 waterproof, so there’s no need to worry about extended outdoor use.
One of this kit’s more innovative features is the solar charge controller. It uses PWM technology to protect your battery from over charging, excessive voltages, discharge and short circuits. This greatly improves the expected lifespan of your battery, especially when compared to lower quality units.
This 20W kit is ideal if you’re looking for an affordable solar solution that is both durable and energy efficient.
Buy the Nicesolar 20W 12V Solar Panel Kit from Amazon for only £40/$51:
Topsolar Solar Panel Kit 100 Watt
- Brand - Topsolar
- Dimensions - 116 x 45 x 3 cm
- Weight - 7.18 kg
- Wattage - 100W
- Special Feature -
Next we have the Topsolar Solar Panel Kit 100 Watt. It’s currently selling for £110/$140 on Amazon.
This 100W kit is a step up from lower wattage systems, and it’s perfect if you want a setup that can be easily expanded in the future. The 30A PWM charge controller allows you to expand this kit up to a maximum of a 400W 12V system or an 800W 24V system, giving you loads of flexibility for future additions.
The kit is supplied with pre-drilled holes and mounting brackets, so it’s really easy to setup. Topsolar also include a pair of 16ft red and black solar cables with an MC4 connector as standard so there’s no need to buy additional accessories.
This solar kit is also capable of withstanding high winds (as high as 2400Pa) and heavy snow loads (5400Pa). The advanced dust and waterproof protection helps to prevent corrosion and general deterioration during extended use.
This 100W system is perfect if you’re looking for a setup that’s easy to expand on in the future.
Buy the Topsolar Solar Panel Kit 100 Watt on Amazon for only £110/$140:
Renogy 2PCS 100W Solar Panel
- Brand - Renogy
- Dimensions - 106.2 x 53 x 3.5 cm
- Weight - 14.6 kg
- Wattage - 200W
- Special Feature -
Another great solar panel kit is the Renogy 2PCS 100W Solar Panel. It’s currently selling for £198/$252 on Amazon.
This solar panel kit from Renogy is perfect if you need something that’s a middle ground between the lower power 100W kits and the high power 400W systems.
It is capable of producing 66-82Ah per day through the use of innovative solar technology. This includes a combination of monocrystalline panels and bypass diodes to prevent the solar cells from overheating, as well as ensure that the panels continue to operate during accidental shading.
It features a corrosion-resistant aluminium frame and an IP65 rated junction box, making this kit capable of extended outdoor use in almost any weather conditions. The panels are also supplied with pre-drilled holes, so they’re easy to fit to any RV or camper.
This solar panel kit is perfect if you’re looking for a system that balances power production and affordability.
Buy the Renogy 2PCS 100W Solar Panel from Amazon for only £198/$252:
Renogy 400W Solar Panel Kit
- Brand - Renogy
- Dimensions - aprx. 110 x 55 x 5 cm
- Weight - aprx. 18 kg
- Wattage - 400W
- Special Feature -
Next we have the Renogy 400W Solar Panel Kit. It’s currently selling for £600/$762 on Amazon.
This 400W kit is excellent if you’re looking for something with a bit more power. It’s estimated to produce around 1.6kWh of power with 4 hours of sunlight, so it’s well suited for larger caravans or people who use many small appliances.
The installation process is as easy as can be. This kit is supplied with pre-drilled holes, mounting brackets, and plug-and-play cables that make the setup quick and intuitive.
It has some other innovative features as well. You can track your power and charging in real time via Bluetooth on your smartphone, giving you detailed data on your current usage. It’s 4-stage battery system helps to charge your devices efficiently and safely, starting with a bulk charge, followed by a boost charge, a float charge and an equalisation charge.
If you’re looking for a great all-round solar panel kit that has plenty of power for a caravan, this 400W from Renogy is an ideal choice.
Buy the Renogy 400W Solar Panel Kit from Amazon for only £600/$762:
ECO-WORTHY 480W Solar Panel System
- Brand - ECO-WORTHY
- Dimensions - aprx. 115 x 60 x 10 cm
- Weight - aprx. 20 kg
- Wattage - 480W
- Special Feature -
Finally we have the ECO-WORTHY 480W Solar Panel System. It’s currently selling for £1100/$1398 on Amazon.
This 480W solar panel system is pretty much top of the range when it comes to caravan installations. It’s capable of producing a shocking 2kWh in 4 hours of sunshine, which is plenty of power for the vast majority of caravans.
One of the most impressive features is the battery. This kit uses a 1280Wh lithium battery that has far greater discharging efficiency than lead acid equivalents, and it will also last much longer, saving you money on battery replacements in the long run.
It’s also been designed to be highly durable for extended outdoor use. It uses an aluminium frame, tempered glass, and an IP66 waterproof panel that can withstand high winds (2400Pa) and substantial snow (5400Pa). ECO-WORTHY cover you with a 1 year warranty in case anything goes wrong after purchase.
If it’s a premium solar kit that you’re looking for, ECO-WORHY’s 480W system won’t let you down. It’s powerful, efficient, and built to last.
Buy the ECO-WORTHY 480W Solar Panel System from Amazon for only £1100/$1398:
FAQs
There’s many benefits to installing a solar panel system on your caravan, especially if you want to be prepared for any scenario.
One great reason is to prevent your caravan battery from going flat. Many car and campervan drivers have experienced the dreaded dead battery scenario, but installing an effective solar panel kit can prevent this from occurring. If set up correctly, a solar panel kit will charge your battery throughout the day, ensuring that the charge is consistent and stopping the battery from ever going flat.
Solar panel kits also give you an alternate power source for charging mobile devices and other small appliances. You would usually be limited by the power that you can draw from the main battery, and that comes with the increased risk of using too much and leaving it flat in the middle of no where. It’s a great bonus to have a separate power source that you don’t have to be scared of using.
The best solar panel kit for your caravan will depend on your specific needs, but the Renogy 400W Solar Panel Kit is one of our favourites. It has plenty of power, it’s easy to install, and it’s 4-stage battery process provides ultra-quick and efficient charging.
If you’re looking for something that’s a bit more affordable, the Topsolar Solar Panel Kit 100 Watt is a great all-round kit that can be expanded in the future.
On average one 100W solar panel should be able to power a caravan for 4-5 hours. It’s typically recommended that you use two 100W panels to be able to power a caravan for around 8-10 hours, as this would likely be enough time to power your devices after sundown. These numbers will massively vary depending on the number of devices that you use and their relative energy consumption, so you may want to calculate your approximate energy usage per hour or use a more powerful 300W system to ensure that you don’t experience any shortages.
A 200W solar panel should be capable of running a 12V caravan fridge for around 10-24 hours, but this will vary depending on the efficiency of the solar panel and the energy consumption of the fridge.
An average 200W solar panel produces 10-12 amps per hour, and an average RV fridge uses around 1.2 amps per hour, so you may be looking at around 10 hours running time if you don’t have a high-efficiency solar panel or a low-consumption fridge.
Thanks for reading our article covering the best caravan solar panel kit on Amazon.
If you’re preparing for an emergency scenario, you may want to take a look at our article covering the Best Battery For Home Backup Power UK.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any thoughts or queries that you’d like us to take a look at – we’d be happy to help.
