So, you’re thinking of installing a solar panel system to have reliable power during your entire overland trip. You’ve probably heard about the greatness of solar power over dual battery setups and gas generators.
As compared to these two power systems for overlanding, solar panels are quieter than gas generators. They can produce electricity even when the engine is off. They also don’t need any fuel, making them cost-efficient. Lastly, solar panels are capable of powering your phone, camera, heater, computer, light, and even your small electric appliances like a portable refrigerator for overlanding.
But what solar power equipment do you need to go overlanding? How do you set up this equipment for a full solar power system?
The solar power equipment you need for overlanding is a solar panel, charge controller, battery, and inverter. Make use of mounting brackets to permanently set up the solar power system on your rig.
Connecting all this equipment is probably the most challenging part of solar power systems. But don’t worry we’ll guide you to your own clean and free power system for your off-grip camping trips.
What is Needed for a Full Solar Power Setup?
Solar panels and solar power systems have developed quickly since they were first invented. In today’s market, you can find tons of solar panel models and different solar power system setups.
For beginners, the solar panel kit is the best option. The kit already includes the necessary equipment to successfully mount and set up your own solar power system for off-grid overlanding. Experienced overlanders go beyond this kit and design their own solar power system.
The equipment you need for a full solar power setup may vary according to how and where you want to set up your solar power system for overlanding, but below are the basic components.
Roof Rack for Solar Panels
The first requirement in order to set up a solar panel is a roof rack system. Even if you have foldable or blanket solar panels, you can’t deny the fact that the safest and best place to charge the panels is on your vehicle’s rooftop. But because the solar panel is an added weight, you should always be mindful of the weight capacity of your car’s rooftop and your roof rack.
The best roof rack for solar panels is the Rhino Rack Pioneer Universal Platform which is easy to mount solar panels. Because it is a platform or basket type, you have many attachment points and the back of the solar panel is fully supported.
Solar Power Kit
A solar power kit makes it easy for beginners to successfully set up their own solar power system for overlanding. Power requirements and the wiring system are two things that make setting up solar panels so difficult.
With a solar power kit, all you need to do is to assemble and mount each component included in the kit, and voila! You already have fully-functioning solar panels. The main challenge here is to find a solar power kit that meets your power needs and includes everything from solar panels to the inverter.
If you’re looking for the most reputable solar power kit, you can go with the Renogy 100-W Solar Starter Kit. But this kit doesn’t include a battery and an inverter. You can go with the ECO-WORTHY Complete Solar Panel Kit if you want a complete set.
Mounting System
Most solar power kits already include all the bolts and mounting brackets you need to permanently place the solar panels on your vehicle’s rooftop. The mounting system depends on the type of solar panel you choose to buy.
If you want the solar panels to be permanently placed on your vehicle’s rooftop, then you will need lots of metal bolts, nuts, and z brackets for solar panels.
You can also buy adjustable mounting brackets for solar panels so you can easily angle the panels where the sunlight is.
Wiring System
The solar panel, charge controller, and inverter come with a built-in wire system, but their wires are too short. You need a long cord or extension so that the wires from the solar panels reach the charge controller inside your rig.
The wires coming from the regulator should also be long enough to be able to reach the battery wherever you place it inside your vehicle.
You need a solar adapter cable to connect the solar panel to the charge controller. You also need a wire to connect the charge controller to the battery.
If you are planning to have more than one solar panel, you will also need a Y Branch Connector.
Different Solar Power Setups
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We mentioned earlier that the solar power equipment you will need depends on your chosen solar power setup. The most common type of solar power system is one that is permanently mounted on your car’s rooftop and only needs a solar power kit for the needed equipment.
There are other two solar power setups that are also proven and tested to be effective and only require a few components.
You can find a portable folding solar panel with USB outputs on the market. This setup doesn’t need anything, just the solar panel to charge your devices. You can also find portable solar panels that only need a Jackery Power Station that will store and distribute the harnessed energy from the sun.
What is Included in Solar Power Kits?
One great benefit of solar power kits is that the components included in the kit are already compatible with each other. You don’t have to worry about damaging your appliances because of high voltages and mismatched electrical ratings or power ratings since these components are already tested to work with each other and efficiently convert the energy coming from the sun into usable electricity.
You can find solar power kits that are 100 watts, 200 watts, and up. Of course, the more wattage, the more power. Calculate your power needs and choose one that you think is enough to run all your devices. Below are the components included in a solar power kit.
Solar Panel
There are three types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. The first one is the black colored panel and the most popular one. The second one is the bluish one and is less efficient than monocrystalline. The last one makes up the portable or blanket solar panels.
These solar panels are lightweight and flexible. Most solar power kits include one 100-watt 12V solar panel that is 47″ x 21.3″ x 1.4″ and weighs up to 20 lbs.
This solar panel can provide 450 Wh of power. This is the starting point. If you need more, you can just install two of these. Most overlanders use two 100-watt solar panels to be able to run a mini-fridge.
Charge Controller
The charge controller regulates the voltage or the flow of electricity from the solar panel to the battery. Without them, the battery can suffer from the inconsistent supply of power from the solar panel. There are two types of charge controllers: PWM and MPPT.
The only difference between the two is the price and efficiency. MPPT is more efficient than PWM, so they are more expensive. If you purchase a 200-watt solar panel kit, it usually comes with a 20A PWM regulator.
Mounting System
Solar power kits will give you 4 pieces of Z-shaped solar panel brackets and 8 pieces of stainless steel nuts and cap bolts. This is enough to properly secure the solar panels on your vehicle’s rooftop. If you think you need more, you can just buy another set of mounting brackets or an adjustable one if you want.
Wiring System
Solar starter kits come with the necessary cables, extension cords, and Y-branch connectors for 2 or more panels to safely connect all the components and successfully set up the solar panel system.
Battery
Most solar power starter kits do not include the battery and inverter. You have to buy them separately, however, there are complete solar starter kits that have these two items, like the WindyNation Solar Panel Kit.
There are two types of batteries for solar panels: lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries. Lead-acid batteries have a shorter lifespan and require recharging every time they reach 50%. If you keep on using them below 50%, they will not last a long time.
Lithium batteries have a longer lifespan and only require recharging when they reach 20%, but they are more expensive. There are solar panel kits that let you choose between these two. A 100 Ah battery is enough for a 200-watt solar panel.
Inverter
The inverter will convert the DC electricity stored in the battery to AC electricity. It contains all the plugs and outlets you need to power all your appliances and devices.
You can find two types of inverter: pure sine wave and modified sine wave. The modified sine wave inverter is not as efficient as the pure sine wave inverter, so most solar power kits include a pure sine wave inverter. A 200-watt solar panel with a 100 Ah battery comes with a 1000 watt inverter.
Final Thoughts
You only need a solar panel, charge controller, battery, and inverter for a full solar power setup for off-grid camping. Solar power systems seem complicated at first, but as you read and research more about them, you’ll find that they are quite interesting and easy to learn about.
If you want an easy way to set up your solar power system, there are lots of starter kits that you can find, especially on Amazon. The price ranges from $200 to $500, which is just the same price if you purchase the components individually.
One last thing, take note that there are system losses as the energy flows from the solar panels up to the inverter. Power outputs are only estimates. But all in all, solar power systems offer a reliable power supply for a comfortable off-grid overlanding.
