|

Are Solar Panels Worth It for Camper Vans? 8 Reasons Why Yes!

When building DIY camper vans, we all have to ask ourselves whether or not we want to install solar panels on our vehicle’s roof. Is adding solar panels worth the effort for a van conversion?

From charging your batteries to saving you money to adding insulation, we explain why having solar panels on your camper van is an important part of van life.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Though we may earn a commission, the price you pay always remains the same.

1. Only Way To Charge Batteries When Boondocking

Boondocking on national forest land
Parked on National Forest grounds, just outside Mt. Ranier NP

Recharging your batteries from solar is incredibly important if you plan to boondock for any extended period of time. If you’re only camping for a day or two, then it’s not a problem. Your batteries should be able to supply all the power you need (assuming you correctly calculated your battery bank size).

But if you intend to stay out in nature for longer, your batteries will run out of charge. But when boondocking, you won’t have access to shower power and since you’re not driving, you can utilize your DC-DC charge to charge your camper batteries.

So unless you bring a loud and bulky generator with you, solar power is the only realistic way to keep your batteries charged while camping out in nature.

How much solar? Do you know how much solar you need for your camper van? Check out our van life solar calculator to help you decide.

2. Charging Batteries While Driving Isn’t Always Enough

Charging your camper batteries while driving (with a DC-DC charger) is an important feature of any camper electric system. But there are limitations. It’s not as if you can simply recharge your camper batteries back to full on only a quick 30-minute drive.

Victron’s larger DC-DC charger only outputs 360 Watt-hours (30A). So if you have a completely dead 100Ah battery, you’ll need to drive almost 4 hours to charge the battery fully.

Even on days when we use minimal power, we would still need to drive over an hour EVERY DAY just to reclaim all the power we used the day before.

And what if you don’t drive every day? Then your batteries lose even more charge, and you’ll need to drive even more the day after just to catch up.

3. Solar Power Brings Peace of Mind to Van Life

When parked without solar, your batteries are always draining, never replenishing. And that fact is a burden on your mind and gets stressful over time.

You’re always thinking about what state-of-charge (SOC) your batteries are at, whether or not you’re using too much power, and if you can get back to full charge during the next drive.

But if you have enough solar power, it’s liberating to know that as long as you have decent sunshine, your batteries are charging all day long. And that’s one less thing to worry about during your van life journey.

4. Installing a Solar System Isn’t Expensive

Contrary to popular belief, adding a solar system to your camper van conversion doesn’t have to be expensive. You can get started immediately with a simple 100W panel, basic charge controller, and a few feet of wire.

You DO NOT need to build a fancy and complicated solar array system costing thousands of dollars.

In fact, for only $450, you can build a basic camper electrical system with solar.

Budget solar system diagram for less than $450
This entire system costs less than $450

5. Save Money at Paid Campgrounds

Staying at a paid campground in Mexico
Camping in Mexico

Many paid campgrounds offer a wide variety of options for vehicles. But the cheapest option is simply paying to park your camper without hooking up to any shower power and/or water.

And if you have solar panels, you aren’t dependent on paying for an electric site at a campground. You can opt for just a plain, no-frills camp spot. This can oftentimes save you as much as $10-$20 per night.

Stay at campgrounds for enough days, and the savings you accumulate will quickly offset the cost of your solar system.

6. Helps Insulate the Inside of Van

Two solar panels on a Ford Transit camper van, on a boat in Nicaragua
Two 180W solar panels mounted on our van’s roof

Although not a primary reason to install solar panels on your DIY camper, but mounting solar panels on your van’s roof helps to provide shade on top of your vehicle, keeping your van’s interior cooler during the day.

Of course, the utility of this depends on what percent of your van’s roof is covered with solar panels. That’s why good solar panel roof layout planning is a smart idea. Our 2x180W solar panels cover roughly 50% of the flat area on our Ford Transit’s roof.

7. Solar Panels Don’t Substantially Reduce Your Stealth Factor

We’ve seen people who are hesitant to install solar panels on their camper vans because they’re worried that this installation will make their campers stand out and become more obvious to the public.

That’s a bunch of baloney.

The #1 reason why putting solar panels on your camper’s roof doesn’t reduce your stealth factor is because your camper van probably isn’t very stealthy to begin with.

Do you already have a vent fan? Or rear windows? Or an out-of-state license plate? These are all dead giveaways that your vehicle was made for sleeping inside. Adding a few low-profile solar panels isn’t going to change anything.

In fact, we believe building a stealth camper is a terrible idea.

8. Be Part of the Renewable Energy Movement

Knowing that you are getting your power from renewable energy and no longer relying on coal and natural gas to supply your electricity is a fantastic feeling.

Solar power is becoming more mainstream every year. Join the movement and contribute to the renewable energy community.

Read More: DIY Camper Van Conversion Guide

Please let us know in the comments section below if you have any specific questions regarding solar and van life.

Happy building!

Free Downloads

Van Conversion Essential Bundles

Every resource on our website is 100% free to download and use. We don’t charge you, and we don’t require your email address. Happy building!

  • Electrical Diagrams
  • Battery Calculator
  • Solar Diagrams
  • Solar Calculator
  • Plumbing Diagrams
  • Full Product Lists

Similar Posts

Have A Question? Let Us Know!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *