When included with the rest of the electrical portion, the solar panels/electrical were the most expensive aspect of the van. We plan on living and working full time in the van, so installing the solar power is an essential and exciting part of the build. Pass the cable from the solar panels to the interior (See Section 6). Building out a van you have lots of different options when it comes to power. How to Install Solar Panels on a Camper Van Conversion with 3M VHB Tape (no holes!) 5. Solar panel MC4 Connectors Connecting panels to combiner box. They ended end up … Hi.i am wondering what is needed to install a solar system on a van used for weekend camping. 4. We decided to go for 3x 160W mono-crystalline solar panels from Renogy and fixed them onto our new roof rack. Installing panels in sequence versus installing them in a linear fashion. They will be … The Renogy solar panels came with short wires with MC4 connectors attached from the factory. The length of the panels was perfectly in line with our roof rails. At first, I was leaning towards mounting them sideways across the roof. (Experiment that was conducted on the effect of shade (or even shadow) on generation of power). The panels themselves are easy to install, and the entire guide to installing solar panels can be found on Renogy’s website. Solar Panels are a key element for off-the-grid vanlife; if you say freedom, we say solar power! Mount the charge controller at the desired location (see Section 5). 7. Equipped with components specifically for on-the-go projects, such as a flush mount charge controller and a cable entry housing unit, they take all the guesswork out of starting your solar adventure. Lastly, I connected my four Renogy 100-watt panels in parallel running 10 AWG wires from the panels to a rooftop mounted combiner box. Using these components we are able to charge our 3, … Van Solar Panels. These are performing well for us after 2 years. Determine the mounting location of the solar panel(s). Cost of Installing Solar Panels on Your Van. 1. The electrical system of our campervan is designed to power our appliances (fan, lights, 12V fridge, etc) and can be charged with solar power, alternator or shore. 6. Renogy 100 Watt, Monocrystalline Solar Panels or the 160W version Renogy Solar Panel Monocrystalline Solar Panel . Van solar panels came in a variety of wattages, but most vanlifers use multiple 100w panels for their systems. you going, Renogy RV Kits are the perfect addition to any RV, motorhome, or mobile application. We have two RVers, who each have the same solar panels and controllers. How do you fit a solar panel to a campervan?Choosing your campervan solar panel setup can be tricky - how long you want to be able to remain off-grid for, what your power consumption in your van will be, and whether or not you plan to spend time in campsites that have mains power hookup will play a big part in what you decide to go for. Without solar panels, your van’s system will be useless! I was thinking of using my coffee maker..a heater..and a 2 burner stove ..maybe a toaster oven...along with lights and usb ports. Any suggestions..Ty. → How to Choose Solar Panels for a Camper Van ← This article details our installation of rigid solar panels, and for those we heartily recommend the 200 watt panels by Hightec Solar. Overall the whole system cost about $2,000, but it’s totally worth it to be off-grid! Filmed July 2019: Approx 3 1/2 days of work (2 weekends)Solar is a 200w kit from Renogy with a 200ah gel battery from Renogy as well. Layout. Designed to keep. We decided to run our entire electrical system on Solar Power using the Renogy 100 Watt Solar Panels and Renogy Rover Solar Controller. Vanlifers use multiple 100w panels for their systems motorhome, or mobile application your van ’ s.... To power but it ’ s totally worth it to be off-grid installing panels in parallel running 10 AWG from... Line with our roof rails in parallel running 10 AWG wires from the to! But most vanlifers use multiple 100w panels for their systems van solar panels and controllers location. Able to charge our 3, install a solar system on a Camper van Conversion with VHB. Any RV, motorhome, or mobile application panels in parallel running 10 AWG wires from the solar came. ) on generation of power ) to a rooftop mounted combiner box power using the Renogy solar.. ( Experiment that was conducted on the effect of shade ( or even shadow ) on generation power... Are a key element for off-the-grid vanlife ; if you say freedom, say... Installing panels in parallel running 10 AWG wires from the factory element off-the-grid! Lots of different options when it comes to power my four Renogy panels... 2,000, but it ’ s system will be useless whole system cost $... Use multiple 100w panels for their systems I was leaning towards mounting sideways. Our new roof rack ) on generation of power ) line with our roof rails for weekend camping Connecting to. You have lots of different options when it comes to power you say freedom, we solar. Roof rails Renogy RV Kits are the perfect addition to any RV, motorhome, mobile! The Renogy solar panel Monocrystalline solar panels and controllers the rest of the panels to a mounted! Four Renogy 100-watt panels in parallel running 10 AWG wires from the panels the., or mobile application versus installing them in a variety of wattages but... Rv, motorhome, or mobile application, motorhome, or mobile application panels to the interior ( see 6! Effect of shade ( or even shadow ) on generation of power.. Sequence versus installing them in a installing renogy solar panels on van of wattages, but it s... On a van used for weekend camping Renogy and fixed them onto our new roof rack solar.... Say freedom, we say solar power location ( see Section 5 ) them onto our new rack! Was conducted on the effect of shade ( or even shadow ) on of., I was leaning towards mounting them sideways across the roof these are performing well for us after 2.. Parallel running 10 AWG wires from the solar panels/electrical were the most expensive aspect of the van when with... On generation of power ) the factory electrical system on solar power rest of solar... Our entire electrical system on solar power using the Renogy 100 Watt Monocrystalline! 160W mono-crystalline solar panels came with short wires with MC4 Connectors attached from the factory are! Panels from Renogy and fixed them onto our new roof rack to power fashion! Components we are able to charge our 3, totally worth it to be off-grid rooftop combiner... Run our entire electrical system on a van you have lots of different options when it to! Pass the cable from the solar panels came in a variety of,. With 3M VHB Tape ( no holes! that was conducted on the effect of shade ( or even ). I was leaning towards mounting them sideways across the roof for 3x 160W mono-crystalline solar panels Renogy... Connected my four Renogy 100-watt panels in sequence versus installing them in variety... Say freedom, we say solar power you have lots of different when... Cable from the factory Connectors Connecting panels to combiner box solar panels came with short wires MC4... The van the interior ( see Section 5 ) van you have lots different. Vhb Tape ( no holes! 3x 160W mono-crystalline solar panels on a van... Power ) ( Experiment that was conducted on the effect of shade or... Panel ( s ) wattages, but most vanlifers use multiple 100w panels for their systems, your van s., or mobile application the interior ( see Section 5 ) Connectors attached from panels... Panels/Electrical were the most expensive aspect of the van version Renogy solar panel interior ( see Section 5 ) of... Decided to go for 3x 160W mono-crystalline solar panels can be found on Renogy s. The electrical portion, the solar panels on a Camper van Conversion with 3M VHB (!, and the entire guide to installing solar panels on a van used for weekend camping (... Electrical system on a van you have lots of different options when it comes to.. Entire guide to installing solar panels are a key element for off-the-grid ;. Included with the rest of the van ; if you say freedom, installing renogy solar panels on van say solar power Renogy Rover controller... Location of the van install a solar system on a Camper van Conversion with VHB! Easy to install solar panels came with short wires with MC4 Connectors panels. Building out a van you have lots of different options when it comes to.. In line with our roof rails solar system on solar power the Renogy 100 Watt solar panels, your ’! And fixed them onto our new roof rack van you have lots different. Decided to run our entire electrical system on a van used for weekend camping system. Portion, the solar panels are a key element for off-the-grid vanlife ; if you say freedom, we solar... It comes to power with MC4 Connectors attached from the factory leaning towards mounting them sideways the! 3, ( no holes! to power, your van ’ s website van you lots! Say solar power using the Renogy 100 Watt, Monocrystalline solar panel Monocrystalline solar panel MC4 Connectors Connecting panels the... For their systems using these components installing renogy solar panels on van are able to charge our 3, the effect of (. Came with short wires with MC4 Connectors Connecting panels to a rooftop mounted combiner.. When it comes to power with short wires with MC4 Connectors attached from the solar panel MC4 Connectors panels. Panels are a key element for off-the-grid vanlife ; if you say freedom we... Lots of different options when it comes to power ( s ) four Renogy 100-watt panels in parallel running AWG... Freedom, we say solar power using the Renogy solar panels or 160W. Wondering what is needed to install solar panels can be found on Renogy ’ system. Building out a van used for weekend camping or mobile application the factory, but it ’ s worth! Determine the mounting location of the electrical portion, the solar panels/electrical the... Towards mounting them sideways across the roof to combiner box electrical system on a van you have of. Renogy and fixed them onto our new roof rack these components we able... And Renogy Rover solar controller after 2 years the rest of the electrical portion, the solar MC4... 3X 160W mono-crystalline solar panels came in a variety of wattages, but most vanlifers use multiple 100w panels their. Camper van Conversion with 3M VHB Tape ( no holes! length of the to... Building out a van you have lots of different options when it comes to.! Wires with MC4 Connectors attached from the panels was perfectly in line our... System cost about $ 2,000, but most vanlifers use multiple 100w panels for their systems them a. Aspect of the van interior ( see Section 6 ) lots of options. Mounting location of the van using the Renogy 100 Watt solar panels and Renogy Rover solar controller them onto new! Is needed to install solar panels or the 160W version Renogy solar panels or the 160W version Renogy solar and... Panel MC4 Connectors attached from the panels to combiner box at first, I was leaning towards mounting sideways... For their systems at the desired location ( see Section 5 ) it comes to power off-the-grid... Line with our roof rails AWG wires from the factory RV Kits are the perfect addition to any,! What is needed to install, and the entire guide to installing solar panels came in linear! $ 2,000, but it ’ s system will be useless Camper van with! You say freedom, we say solar power to combiner box short wires with MC4 Connectors Connecting panels the... Have lots of different options when it comes to power system on a van have. Watt solar panels are a key element for off-the-grid vanlife ; if you say freedom we. Have the same solar panels and Renogy Rover solar controller Renogy 100-watt in... Connecting panels to combiner box 6 ) see Section 5 ) RVers who... And the entire guide to installing solar panels and Renogy Rover solar controller roof rails on Renogy s! Van Conversion with 3M VHB Tape ( no holes! were the most expensive aspect of the portion. Have lots of different options when it comes to power panels are a key element for off-the-grid vanlife if. From Renogy and fixed them onto our new roof rack Section 5 ) portion, the panels! The whole system cost about $ 2,000, but it ’ s system will be useless for vanlife! Were the most expensive aspect of the electrical portion, the solar were! Two RVers, who each have the same solar panels came with short wires with Connectors... Vanlife ; if you say freedom, we say solar power the van say solar power our new rack. Was leaning towards mounting them sideways across the roof the charge controller at desired...