Owner guides
5 best solar panels for motorhomes: complete UK guide
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Get on the road… run out of power. Not ideal! Keeping your personal and motorhome devices working is essential when camping: you’ll want to keep your phone full of charge to check GPS or campsites, and your fridge working properly to keep food properly chilled. And the easy way to do this? Solar panels – a simple, clean and self-sufficient way to get energy. But what are the best solar panels for motorhomes in the UK? We’ve rounded up our top five solar panels for van life to help you make the best choice.
5 best solar panels for a motorhome
Solar panels can be permanently fixed, roof mounted, fully portable and flexible… Whatever type of panel you want, there’s sure to be one on the market to suit. If the choice is a bit overwhelming, opt for one of our five best solar panels for motorhomes in the UK below – we’ve included panels for larger and smaller vehicles, in a range of styles, and to suit all budget types.
1. Truma SolarSet 100W panel
£658.99
Buy online
The Truma SolarSet 100W is our top pick for high quality motorhome solar panels that you’re happy to spend a bit more on. (Good news though – members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club get a 10% discount; use the link above.)
This top of the range solar panel set is aimed at medium or larger vehicles, guaranteeing
maximum power generation. It uses a plug-in connection and optimised monocrystalline solar cells for maximum ease of use.
This is a full kit with all the components you need to quickly and easily install a mobile solar system on your motorhome roof: cables, battery connection cables, mounting feet, self-tapping screws, sealant and even cleaning fluid are all included.
The set is available with panels of 23, 65 and 150w as well as 100w.
Dimensions: 12.63 x 5.35 x 7 cm
Weight: 8.8kg
Key benefits:
High-quality solar panel kit with all the components needed to install
Designed for quick and easy installation
Minimum space required
Comes with automatic charger
2. 20W 12V Photonic Universe solar power kit with 5A charge controller
£59.99
Our best motorhome panels in the UK are designed to suit all budgets! This kit from Photonic Universe retails at a wallet-friendly £59.99, which includes a 20w rigid solar panel, 5A charge controller, 5V 1.2A USB port, crocodile clips and two load terminals for direct battery power.
Use the direct power option for lighter-use appliances like lights, or set the panel up to charge your motorhome’s 12V leisure battery. Charging is safely and easily managed with the safety functions of the 5A controller, which prevent overcharging and battery drainage.
The solar panel is designed to be used for permanent outdoor use, so is strong and sturdy, a win for the price. Its polycrystalline cells and sealed aluminium frame make it highly durable, and it’s also waterproof. It’s exceptionally lightweight too at just 2kg.
As these are 20w solar panels, you might need more than one for optimum power generation, but at this price, that won’t be a problem for most motorhomers.
Dimensions: 49.6 x 39.6 x 5.2 cm
Weight: 2kg
Key benefits:
Sturdy and affordable rigid-frame solar panel
Comes with charge controller, load terminals, USB port, crocodile clips and carry bag
Direct power option included
Weatherproof: designed for permanent outdoor use
Lightweight
3. Eco-Worthy 100 Watt 12V Solar Panels Kit + 20A Charge Controller
£135.99
Buy online
A perfect pick for mid-price solar panel installation, this Eco-worthy kit comes with panels, a charge controller, a Z bracket mounting kit and a five-metre extension cable.
Use this kit to juice up yourmotorhome electrics and for leisure battery charging, even in poor weather conditions. It allows for easy installation with a pre-drilled hole in each panel and is designed to be tough, durable and energy efficient.
The kit is also very user friendly, with an LCD interface and automated operation on the charge controller. Best of all, this comes with a five-year guarantee for the panels and kit themselves, plus 25-year insurance on transferable output.
Dimensions: 106 x 56 x 6 cm
Weight: 9.87kg
Key benefits:
Tough and durable solar panels
Easy to install
Easy to use – LED charge controller included
Weatherproof
Warranties of 5-25 years
4. Sunstore 160W 12V MPPT Solar Battery Charger Vehicle Kit
£362.53 – £384.84
Generate some serious power for your motorhome using this 160w kit from Sunstore. As with the Truma, this is a high-quality kit designed for medium or larger motorhomes, able to cope with heavy use including fridges and TVs.
The kit will charge your leisure battery around 112 Amp-hours (Ah) per day, while the MPPT (maximum power point tracking) charge controller can generate up to 30% more power in shady or overcast conditions. The kit’s solar panel is rigid and in an aluminium frame, in a compact size for easy roof mounting.
Along with the 160w panel, the kit has everything required for fitting to your vehicle, coming with a charge controller, sealant, mounts, connectors, a blade fuse holder, fuse and five metres of cable. It’s a good option for beginners as it comes with full step by step instructions too.
It comes with three mounting options: corner mounts, end mounts or aluminium L shapes – choose your preference when ordering.
Dimensions/weight: not given
Key benefits:
High-quality kit for bigger vehicles
Comes with everything you need to attach the solar panel to your motorhome
Powerful 160w capability, able to cope with heavy use
Choice of two charge controllers: recommended MPPT controller with built-in Bluetooth, or an MPPT Xtra for partially shaded or overcast conditions
5. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
£149.99
Buy online
The final model of our five best solar panels for motorhomes in the UK is another 100w panel, this time from Renogy. Its big advantage is its considerable flexibility, with an arc of up to 248°.
Combined with the low weight of the panel (the lightest on our list) and a width of just 0.2cm, this is an excellent pick for uneven surfaces like curved motorhome roofs, or for motorhomers who want a discreet solar panel.
Although it’s light, the Renogy solar panel is highly durable, made of premium ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene fluorine-based plastic) for a higher light transmittance and longer service lifetime. It’s been rigorously tested to withstand strong wind and heavy snow conditions, despite weighing only 1.81kg.
Dimensions: 121.7 x 53.3 x 0.2 cm
Weight: 1.81kg
Key benefits:
Extremely lightweight but very tough
Flexible, with arc of up to 248°
Will withstand strong wind and heavy snow
Perfect for motorhomers who want a discreet solar panel
How does a solar panel work?
So now you know our five best solar panels for motorhomes in the UK, but how do solar panels work?
Simply put, a motorhome solar panel draws energy from sunlight, which is then stored in the motorhome leisure battery and used to power devices. The cells in a solar panel will absorb the kinetic energy in the light, then release electrons to generate electricity.
Solar panels come in three main types – rigid, flexible or folding. There are also three main types of solar panel cells:
Monocrystalline solar cells
These are the most efficient and durable option, meaning you can buy a smaller solar panel
without compromising on power. They’re also the most expensive of the three, and need to be placed at a 90° angle to the sun on clear, bright days for best performance.
Polycrystalline solar cells
Polycrystalline solar panels are as durable as monocrystalline and generally cost less. Because they’re made of multiple crystals rather than being monocrystalline, they can lose small amounts of energy internally. But they can be placed at various angles to the sun and perform well even in dim conditions.
Thin-film solar cells
Popular with RV owners, thin-film solar cells are made by stacking thin layers of silicon blocks. The silicon can be attached to flexible material, and these types of cells are more resistant to heat, dust and shading. They’re usually less efficient than crystalline solar panels.
Solar panels are measured in watts – the higher the wattage, the more power the panels will generate. A 60w solar power system should power the lights, water pump and a TV and radio in a small motorhome for two hours a day.
Why are solar panels good for motorhomes?
Solar panels on motorhomes mean you can go off grid for a longer period, maybe even living in your vehicle full time as a digital nomad. They’re energy efficient and environmentally friendly, plus are good for budget-conscious motorhomers as they’ll cost pretty much nothing after the initial outlay.
Even if your motorhome is in storage, for example for a month or two over winter, solar panels will provide power for low-watt devices like alarms and trackers.
Solar panels are a great investment for any motorhome, regardless of vehicle size or how long you plan to be on the road.
Considerations when buying the best solar panels for a motorhome
There’s sure to be a solar panel or solar panel kit on the market to suit your needs. Take these factors into account when buying the best solar panels for a motorhome in the UK:
Calculate your energy needs
Knowing how much energy you’re likely to consume while on a motorhome trip is essential when researching solar panels for your vehicle. The easiest way to do this is to take the motorhome out on the road with a fully charged battery, using all your appliances as you normally would. How long does the leisure battery last when you’re using lights, TV, fridge and other appliances such as a kettle or hairdryer?
We recommend reading our blog on solar panel sizes, which answers the common question‘what size solar panel do I need for my motorhome?’.
Buy the appropriate size and wattage
Your calculated energy needs will influence the size and wattage of solar panel/s for your motorhome. For example, if your battery powers a two-day trip off grid, and it has an Ah of 110, you’ll need 55Ah per day of generated energy from your solar panel.
Solar panel positioning
Do you want a fixed solar panel, or a portable or even folding one so you can position it wherever you like? If you’re planning your trip outside high summer, or want to use or hire your motorhome out all year round, you might prefer a portable and/or folding model to maximise any sunlight.
Leisure battery care and maintenance
There’s little point having top-quality motorhome solar panels if your vehicle’s leisure battery is in poor condition. Factor in time at least once a year for a full inspection of your motorhome’s leisure battery, checking for any damp or corrosion and cleaning the battery tray, terminals and connectors. See our how to charge a leisure battery on a motorhome guide for more details.
Make back your solar panel costs
Ready to buy one of the best solar panels for motorhomes in the UK? No problem! If you hire your motorhome out with Camplify, you can make back the costs of your motorhome solar panel system (and then some!). An off-grid vehicle is very attractive to hirers too, which can mean more bookings and more earnings.
Why Camplify?
Camplify connects owners like you with local and international holidaymakers - all of whom are verified to maximise the safety when you hire out your motorhome. Discover more of our advantages for owners below:
It's free to list your van.
If you don’t have all-risk insurance, we can provide you with it when you sign up.
We give your van a 24/7 RAC breakdown cover.
You have complete freedom to approve or reject guests interested in renting your van. Your wheels, your rules.
We provide you with tips and step-by-step guides on how to improve your service and your vehicle to get more and more bookings!
The sooner you set up your listing, the sooner it will start to receive visits and bookings! See how much you could earn if you rent out your van with ourfree income calculator or sign up now to start enjoying the above advantages today.