So you’re halfway through your van conversion, and you’ve just got to the point where you’ve realized that you’re going to need a way to power all your tech. One of the perks of van life is being able to live off the grid for short or long periods of time, and in order to do this you’ll most likely need to generate your own power.
Drawing power from the sun is a clean, free energy resource than can be used to top your batteries up and power your appliances, but to do this you’re going to need to install a solar panel, or maybe even a few.
So we’ve compiled a guide to the best solar panels and charging accessories you can buy for your van conversion to help you make a decision that’s right for you.
This guide is simply a breakdown of the best solar panels and solar charge controllers you can buy for your van conversion based on your needs, preferences and budget. If you want to learn how to work out how much power you’ll need, how big a solar panel to buy or how to install one in your van then check out our guide to Van Solar Panels & Electrical Systems.
Rigid solar panels
Rigid solar panels are a classic, sturdy choice that are usually mounted to a van’s roof via mounting brackets.
Newpowa 100W solar panel – $79.90
This solar panel from Newpowa is a really great option at an affordable price. It operates at 12V with a monocrystalline structure and comes with a built-in MC4 cable ready for a quick installation to get you on the go.
Zamp Obsidian 200W Solar Panel – $899.99
When it comes to solar panels Zamp are one of the most recognized brands in the U.S. and their Obsidian series of solar panels offer only the best in solar power technology. That’s why we’ve chosen their 200W Obsidian panel to kick off this list, with its low profile and aerodynamic design, it offers a lightweight alternative to usually bulky panels with an ultra thin body that’s no thicker than a flexible solar panel. It also comes with unlimited mounting points for ease of installation. It may not be suitable for smaller budgets but you can certainly rely on Zamp for quality.
Flexible solar panels
Flexible solar panels are quickly becoming a favorite amongst the van community for their easy no-tools-required installation and the ability to place them just about anywhere wherever it be a curved surface or a streamlined rooftop. Great for uniquely shaped vans.
Renogy Extremely Flexible 100W Solar Panel – $193.82
In terms of strength and flexibility, the Renogy flexible solar panel is probably your best choice. At just 1/10” thick and weighing only 4 pounds this solar panel can bend an incredible 248° meaning it can be fitted just about anywhere. It operates at 12V delivering up to 100W of power and comes with a weatherproof IP68 junction box installed.
Windy National Flexible Lightweight 100W solar panel – $113.98
If you’re looking for something a little more affordable then Windy Nation is offering a 100W flexible solar panel for just over $100. That said it offers only a fraction of the flexibility that Renogy does with up to a 30° bend, however it is lightweight, easy to mount and just 0.1” thick. It’s built of a monocrystalline structure with a blocking diode built into the junction box to prevent discharging overnight, and comes with 36” of AWG solar cables with pre-attached PV connectors.
Portable solar panels
If you’re not ready to commit to drilling holes through your van’s roof, or maybe you’re just a weekend adventurer, then a portable solar panel is a wonderfully flexible option that allows for easy on-the-go charging anywhere.
Renogy Foldable 100W Solar Panel – $259.97
Making their second appearance on this list is Renogy with their 100W 12V foldable solar panel. It folds away to the size of a suitcase, weighs a mere 26 pounds and is built of a monocrystalline structure. It comes with a 10ft tray cable, a 20A 5 stage PWM “Voyager” solar charge controller and a kickstand for easy set up in whatever direction the sun is shining.
Go Power! Valterra 120W Portable Solar Panel Kit – $506.32
Offering one of the highest output powers of any portable solar panel we found, Go Power!’s foldable solar panel kit can generate an impressive 130W of power when the sun is shining. Best of all it has a built-in 10A PWM solar charge controller to optimize charging, and adjustable folding legs for easy positioning.
Solar charge controllers
A solar charge controller is the middle man delivering power between your solar panel and your batteries and it’s absolutely essential to ensure a good charge. Think of it like a brain deciding when your batteries need a quick top up, a full recharge or just enough power to maintain their charge.
EPEVER 40A MPPT solar charge controller with remote control – $193.60
Before you scroll right past to the budget option below thinking that near $200 is way too much money- hear us out. This 40A MPPT solar charge controller from EPEVER is the only controller you’ll ever need for your solar set up and not only will it give you the very best in battery charging capabilities but it will save you money on replacement auxiliary batteries in the long run thanks to its intelligent four stage charging system. The four stages, namely Bulk, Absorption, Float and Equalization, work based on a host of factors such as your battery’s level, current consumption and level of sunlight to give you ultimate charging and works to prolong the lifecycle of your batteries.
What we like most is the remote controller that can be installed in your van’s living area for east monitoring of input, power consumption and even ambient temperature, and the controller is 98% efficient at generating power.
Renogy Wanderer 10A Solar Charge Controller – $16
Okay, so maybe the all-singing all-dancing EPEVER controller is a little out of your price range, but the Wanderer 10A solar charge controller from Renogy will still do just the trick at a much more modest price.
It too boasts Smart 4-Stage PWM charging (Bulk, Boost, Float, and Equalization) which increases battery life and improves system performance. It even comes with intelligent protection against reverse polarity, overcharging, short-circuit, and reverse current, integrated USB ports and handy Bluetooth integration for the Renogy smartphone app which can be used to monitor your batteries remotely.
The only downside is it gives you significantly less control over charging, and its 10A capacity can only handle one 100W solar panel, although you could easily upgrade to the 30A one to power up to four.
Solar kits
So you want a solar set up for your van or RV but you really don’t have the time or patience to put in the research for the various components you’ll need. That’s why some very helpful sellers have put together kits that you can get sent straight to your door and have installed and running that same day. Isn’t the internet wonderful?
Zamp Solar 680W Off Grid Solar Kit– $2,913
It’s go big or go home when it comes to this Zamp Big Power solar kit offering 680W of pure solar power. It comes with four 170W solar panels, a 60A charge controller, roof caps, mounting feet and a pre-terminated wiring harness with solar combiner box. It’s recommended that this is installed into a system that has a 400Ah battery bank or greater, otherwise it’s just overkill. This kit will provide you with enough power to stay off the grid for days or even weeks at a time, providing you’re somewhere bright and sunny that is.
Renogy 100W Solar Panel Kit – $189.14
A basic no-fuss starter kit from Renogy offers 100W of solar power from a monocrystalline panel accompanied by a 30A Wanderer PWN solar charge controller. The kit comes with MC4 connectors, mounting brackets and an 8ft 10AWG tray cable so it’s all ready for install as soon as it’s delivered.
So there we have it, our guide to the best solar panels and accessories for your van conversion. Make sure you check out our Step By Step Guide To Converting And Living In A Van for more info, tips and tricks.
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