When we first started converting campervans, many moons ago, Solar Panels were almost non existent – in the campervan community anyway. Even looking back 1-2 years ago, only a few of our customers went for the option of a solar panel. Now as many as 9 out of 10 conversions we carry out include a Solar Panel. And we’re fitting many Solar Panels weekly to customers campervans, work vans and other vehicles such as horse boxes.
Solar Panels give you the option to ‘wild camp’, anywhere in the world. You don’t have to worry about booking campsites with electric hook up, or your Leisure Battery only running your fridge for a couple of days.
A Solar Panel will trickle charge your Leisure Battery, keeping it topped up, the Leisure Battery then runs any appliances/electricals in the van. We fit either a 100w or 150w panel, they both should keep everything running but we’d recommend a 150w if you have a fridge, just to be sure.
We supply both the 100w and 150w panels as a kit for you to fit yourself, or we fit them at our workshop in Gloucestershire. Kits start at £260 and can be bought from our online shop. Fitted prices start at £380 and fitting takes 2-3 hours. There are a few different fitting options, we like to use 3M Ultra High Bond tape to secure the panels to the roof. This option doesn’t damage your van and they can be removed if needed.
We personally have tested the 100w panel for a 10 day trip around the Devon and Cornwall coast. It ran a Waeco CR-50 fridge, a 16″ TV, lighting and various chargers for the trip, and the Leisure Battery charge didn’t drop whatsoever. Our Solar Panel Fitting Guide was featured in Issue 39 of the VW BUS Magazine which can still be bought from the VW BUS website.
