How To Set Up Solar Panels On A Van

Van solar panels came in a variety of wattages but most vanlifers use multiple 100w panels for their systems.

How to set up solar panels on a van.

Polycrystalline vs amorphous solar panels. Not great for city dwelling. Renogy unboxing of our 300 watt solar system and the install of the panels on the van. The panels themselves are easy to install and the entire guide to installing solar panels can be found on renogy s website.

Takes up space inside the van when traveling especially anything above 200w. Mount and wire the solar panels. They have been installed using metal brackets with no insulation between the frame work of the panels and the van. This is just one part of a overarching how to install a diy camper van electrical system series.

I have installed solar panels directly to the roof of my van. Cons of portable panels. Need to set up each time you re at camp. Won t be able to charge with solar when running errands.

Do not hook up your solar panels to the charge controller until the batteries are connected. If you ve just stumbled on this article directly without seeing that there are likely. The first thing we did was mount our solar panels to our van s roof and wire them together in parallel using a signstek y branch wiring connector. Update as a result of new information from renogy you do not n.

Obviously the solar panels are part of that electrical system but i wanted a separate post just for actually installing the panels on the roof of the van. Quick note before we get started. Eg the grounding of the panels is directly connected to the chassis of the vehicle and therefore connected to the starter battery. In another post i talk about how to figure out and set up your electrical system.

Solar panel cell type monocrystalline vs.