Why choose batteries?
For your caravan, you can choose to use a solar panel kit with batteries. This can offer you many advantages. First of all, the use of batteries will allow you to store a potential surplus of energy generated by the solar panel.
Indeed, depending on the season of the year, the level of solar radiation or your energy consumption, you may find yourself with surplus energy production. Therefore, opting for batteries can allow you to conserve this energy to reuse it at any time of the day or night. Using a battery allows you to achieve a self-consumption rate close to 100%. This autonomy contributes to the reduction of your ecological footprint during your trips, which is not insignificant.
Disadvantages of batteries
Although they offer certain advantages, batteries still have some disadvantages. First, they require battery monitor. In fact, you should be at least well informed about the terms of storage voltage and storage capacity.
The storage voltage is directly related to your consumption habits: the higher the electricity consumption, the higher the voltage should be. Therefore, it is essential to choose a 12 volt lithium battery adapted to your installation. The battery storage capacity should be chosen according to the amount of energy produced by your panel and your needs.
These two notions are paramount because it is important to know that overcharging or discharging too much energy contributes to battery damage. Poor management of your charge can significantly reduce your lifespan.
In this sense, charge regulators can be of great help: they will allow you to optimize the charge of the battery.
Installation of solar panels in a caravan: how to proceed?
Would you like to install your solar panel on your caravan, but don’t know where to start? We can help you figure out how to proceed.
Install your solar panels: what fixings? The fixings to choose essentially depend on the model of solar panel for which you are going to opt. It is important to know first of all that there are two types of solar panels for campers installations: rigid and semi-flexible.
To fix a solar panel on a flat surface, you will then have to choose a suitable fixing kit.
The installation of your panel will be more or less easy. You will also need to choose where you want to install the panel. You can mark it with the help of a marker to ensure the success of this operation.
For semi-flexible solar panels
Flexible solar panels are mostly fixed with the help of adhesive tapes. This is the case with the Renogy flexible solar panels available for sale on our site. Before you start handling it, make sure both surfaces are clean. The solar panel does not require any special maintenance and can be cleaned simply with water.
The Renogy Flex Panel can also be attached using the grommet holes on either side of the surface.
For rigid solar panels
Installing rigid solar panels on the roof of your caravan will likely require drilling holes in the roof to ensure proper support. These fixings can be in the form of brackets or angles, which can also be in the form of adhesive.
In all cases, it will be necessary to pass the panel cable through your ceiling to ensure the proper functioning of your installation.
Install your charge controller
The installation of a charge controller is somewhat complex, so it is essential to clarify certain points. A charge controller should not be placed too far from your battery system (12v lithium battery, 24v, or 48v) to ensure proper operation (up to 2 meters). You can pin it to make sure it’s in place and, or you can choose to leave it free. It is advisable to leave space above and below the regulator to ensure ventilation.The battery and regulator must be connected with an appropriate size cable.
Finally, you can proceed to pass the solar cable to the place where the regulator is located and connect it. Ideally, the controller should be within 5 meters of the solar panel and no more than 2 meters from the batteries. It is necessary to know that the shorter the cable of the regulator, the more it allows to reduce voltage losses and makes the system more efficient.
Install your batteries: where?
RV Batteries can be stored in the caravan, but you always have to watch the temperature, especially in summer. Ideally, the caravan is ventilated. As a reminder, the batteries must be located close enough to the regulator to minimize the risk of voltage loss as much as possible.
Solar panel for caravan: at what price?
The cost of a caravan solar panel is directly related to its power. Quality, autonomy and ease of installation are also criteria that can influence the price. For example, a polycrystalline solar panel installation will be less expensive than a monocrystalline solar panel installation. That is why the price range of a solar kit for caravans is wide.
Of course, you have to take into account the cost of the batteries, the regulator, the fixing kit and the cables necessary to start up your system. For an installation with a power of about 700 W, the total cost is about $1,500. With a RV solar panel kit, there is no need to call in a professional for installation.
Alternative: the nomadic solar panel kit
The nomad solar kit for sale on our site is an alternative to the solar kit for caravans. Indeed, this kit allows you to erect your solar panels anywhere by fixing them on their support. This can be interesting, especially for caravans where roof space may be lacking. Nomad kits offer many advantages: no more battery failures on your smartphones, tablets or computers!
The nomadic solar kit allows you to recharge your electronic devices instantly. This includes mobile photovoltaic solar panels and a battery. It does not require any particular installation, and can be recharged through a power outlet.
Therefore, it is the ideal solution for those who do not want to set up an installation, but want to benefit from the advantages of solar energy!
We offer on our site a wide range of nomad kits, including French solar panel nomad kits. Therefore, we have seen throughout this article that the use of a solar kit for your caravan is a beneficial solution on many points. That said, the choice of a solar kit is subject to several variables such as its level of energy consumption or the amount of solar radiation.
Furthermore, there are a multitude of kits on the market, so it is essential to be well informed before embarking on this adventure. If you want to keep it simple, the nomad solar kit seems to be the preferred option.
Also discover: the solar kit adapted to your home
The “classic” solar panels available in our self-consumption solar kits adapt to any type of home. We invite you to discover our off-grid solar system kits for all energy needs and all budgets: Therefore, we have seen throughout this article that the use of a solar kit for your caravan is a beneficial solution on many points. That said, the choice of a solar kit is subject to several variables such as its level of energy consumption or the amount of solar radiation.
Furthermore, there are a multitude of kits on the market, so it is essential to be well informed before embarking on this adventure. If you want to keep it simple, the nomad solar kit seems to be the preferred option.