When you’re out in the open, away from civilisation but basking in the sun, there’s only one thing to do: take full advantage of all that free solar power! But what’s the best way to do this? Will little portable solar power banks cut it, or is having a dedicated solar cell on your roof a better option? What if you’re in a tent? And do you have to haul a cumbersome battery around? Let’s explore all the camping solar setup options available to you, giving you the power to choose the best setup for your needs.
What goes into a camping solar setup?
What are the different components of this clean, cost-effective power source? First of all, of course, there are the solar panels. Then you’ll need a battery to store the electricity you’ve generated, a charge controller or regulator to distribute the power, and a power inverter or 12V socket to use the power.
Solar panel types
The most important part of your solar setup is the solar panels. There are basically three types of solar panels, each taking in sunlight differently.
Monocrystalline solar panel
Monocrystalline solar cells are a type of solar panel made from a single silicon crystal grown into a block before being sliced into wafers. Due to a monocrystalline solar cell’s single-crystal structure, electrons can travel through the panel more easily, meaning substantially increased sunlight absorption.
Polycrystalline solar panelÂ
Like monocrystalline solar cells, polycrystalline panels are also built of silicon crystals. However, unlike monocrystalline solar cells, the silicone cools and fragments independently, rather than as a single ingot. Polycrystalline solar cells are a more affordable option than monocrystalline panels, but they absorb less sunlight, producing less electricity. However, if you get plenty of hours of daylight, it’s a reliable and cost-effective option!
Thin-film solar panel
Thin-film solar panels feature one or more photovoltaic material films on a substrate. Producing thin-film solar panels is very simple, which makes them much more cost-effective than many other options.
Whether you want solar panels designed for a caravan or an RV’s roof, or one with a stand that you can prop up outside your tent, the choice is yours. You can also get solar power banks for portable devices like your phone or e-reader. In fact, you can even get radios and emergency lanterns with solar panels for extra functionality while also being able to charge devices. Win-win!
Battery types
Your camping solar setup needs a battery to store the electricity it produces. There are several different battery types, each with distinct advantages.
Lithium-ion battery
The lithium-ion battery is the most recent technology, growingly popular in camping solar setups. Lithium-ion batteries can discharge much of their capacity without excessive damage over time, which means more electricity for you to use. With some lithium-ion batteries able to discharge their entire electricity storage capacity without losing capacity, you can see why they’re so popular for camping solar setups.
Lead-acid battery
The battery with the longest track record as a camping solar setup battery, lead-acid batteries are affordable, reliable, and thus, are everywhere. There are two types of lead-acid battery: hermetic and flooded. Flooded lead-acid batteries need routine maintenance, including regularly adding distilled water, which is not the best option in the wilderness. Sealed lead-acid batteries require no maintenance but typically provide less power capacity than lithium batteries.
Flow battery
Then there’s the developing camping solar setup technology of flow batteries. These batteries are charged and discharged through internal chemical reactions between two internal chambers that contain electrolytes and water.
Controller types
Charge controllers or regulators prevent batteries from overcharging and regulate the current and voltage flowing from the solar panels to the batteries. In the Australian sun, your solar panels may receive more power than your battery can handle. That’s why you need a regulator to regulate energy transfer between the solar panel and battery and mitigate energy waste.
MPPT charge controller
MPPT controllers work best as part of a large RV’s camping solar setup. They offer 10-30% more power to the battery, with 94% to 98% efficiency. This means a larger camping solar setup can save a lot of money.
PWM charge controller
Best for a small camping solar setup, PWMs suit setups of only a few solar panels. They cost less, but are less efficient than MPPT charge controllers.
You can also get a solar station with a built-in regulator.
Inverter types
Another key component of a camping solar setup, solar inverters convert DC solar panel energy into usable AC electricity and connect the panels to the electrical distribution panel.
Pure sine wave inverter
A pure sine wave inverter delivers sine waves, which are best for grid-connected systems and sensitive equipment.
Modified sine wave inverter
In a modified sine wave inverter, the polarity changes between positive and negative, for a square, step-stair pattern. They are less efficient, with fewer solar panel and appliance compatibility.
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