So, you're thinking of buying a solar setup? Before you start looking at products or even think about opening your wallet, you need to work out the best solar setup size for your needs. That's why we have created our own Solar Panel Calculator.
Any caravanner or camper will tell you how important it is to choose a correct solar setup size.
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Why?
Because buying the correct solar setup size can actually save you money in the long run. You won't go too small and need to buy more panels. Nor will you spend too much on something that's way too big and will never get fully used.
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Solar Panel Types:
But it's not all about size - you also need to choose the right style of solar panels for your needs. For example, if you choose folding portable panels or a solar blanket, you can angle them to the sun to maximise exposure to the sun throughout the day and produce more amps per hour. If you choose fixed panels, you need to think carefully about where you park your van to get the best solar.
To help you choose the correct panel size and setup, head to our Solar Panel Calculator. It takes you through four simple steps:
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Step 1: Find Out the Power Draw of the Appliances You Want to Run
What do you want to power from your solar? List the caravan and camping appliances you'll take on trips.
For each item, look up the amp hour (Ah) number on the manufacturer's specifications. For example, a Dometic Waeco CFX-95 portable fridge freezer set to as a fridge (+5°C) on one side and as a freezer (-15°C) on one side has an average amp hour draw of 3.6Ah.
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If You Can't Find the Amp Hours, Use This Easy Calculation:
Amps per hour (Ah) = Average Wattage / Voltage
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For example:
Ah for iPad/tablet charger = 45 watts per hour / 12v = 4Ah approx.
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Step 2: Calculate How Many Hours Per Day Each Appliance Will Run
Next you need to consider how many hours per day each appliance will run. For example, you might expect to run your tablet charger for 2 hours a day.
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Step 3: Solar Panel Selection & Calculation
Now, think about the best solar panel size and set up.
To give you an even more accurate answer, our solar panel calculator asks for your location (even if it's just approximate). That's because some places get more sunlight hours than others. For example, Melbourne gets less sunlight hours than Perth. Naturally, there are more sunlight hours in summer and less in winter too.
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Step 4: Battery Bank Sizing & Calculation
Once you have your solar panel size and set up, enter your battery bank size in amp hours into the solar panel calculator.
Choose the type of battery you already have or are looking to buy, and the solar panel calculator will tell you how many days you can camp with all your appliances powered.
But it's not sunny all the time! That's why our solar panel calculator also tells you the amount of days that you can power your system in the event of little to no solar power because of bad weather - we call this the Autonomy section.
It's as easy as that!
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To find out the best size and set up for your solar panels - go to our solar panel calculator today!
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DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
