Understanding Solar Panels for Your Campervan or Motorhome

Poly vs. Mono

You may have seen poly and mono-crystalline panels mentioned when shopping for solar panels. All modern, quality panels are mono-crystalline, offering higher efficiency for generating solar power.

Rigid Vs. Flexible

Flexible Solar Panels are thin bendy panels which can be bonded directly to your roof, these are a good choice for most vehicles.

• Easy to install with adhesive, no drilling required

• Lightweight and ideal for roofs that can't support heavy loads such as pop tops or composite roofs

• Flexible solar panels are around 5mm thick, making them discreet and ideal for low-top vans. The low profile also minimises any wind noise while driving

• Generally less efficient than fixed panels, meaning a panel of equivalent output will take up more space compared to a rigid panel

Rigid Solar Panels are around 30mm thick with an aluminium frame

• Requires mounting hardware and often drilling into the roof

• Heavier, requiring a sturdy roof for support

• Once mounted, the panel will stand around 50mm off the roof. On a low-top van, the panel will stand out and could spoil the discreet/stealth look of your build

• Higher efficiency, typically generating more power per square meter compared to flexible panels

Mounting Rigid Panels

Using high-strength mounting adhesive, the rigid panel can be attached using corner mounts to most flat roofs without the need for drilling or screwing.

• No drilling is required, minimising the risk of leaks

• Provides a strong and reliable attachment point without compromising the integrity of the roof

• Requires a flat roof for proper adhesion, typically found on motorhomes and caravans

• Higher cost of corner mounts and adhesive compared to screwed metal mounts

• Removing the mount in the future can be very difficult, as it can be almost impossible to remove all the glue from the roof without damaging the paint

Using 'Z' brackets the panel can be screwed directly to the roof of the vehicle, this is better for ribbed roofs found on most vans.

• Provides a robust and permanent attachment

• Allows for easy removal and reinstallation if needed

• Requires drilling holes in the roof

• Only suitable for metal roofs that have good screw retention

If you are looking to have a solar panel fitted to your campervan or motorhome, get in touch. We will be more than happy to provide further advice or a quote.

Understanding what type of solar panels you should have installed on your campervan or motorhome can be challenging due to the wide range of available options and conflicting information. You'll need to understand the different power outputs and types of panels, as well as the various mounting methods, each with its own set of pros and cons. While these options can be overwhelming, selecting the right setup is easy once you understand the differences.

You'll also need to decide on the power output or size of the panel. The position of existing vents and skylights will typically dictate the panel size. For weekend campers, a 100-200W solar panel is usually sufficient to power essentials like a fridge, lights and USB chargers. If space is tight, you may need to fit multiple smaller panels across the roof until you reach your desired power.

Rigid Panel Screwed to Roof

Rigid Panel Bonded to Motorhome Roof Using Corner Mounts