What Size Portable Solar Panel Do I Need For My Van? Regardless of your reason for turning to van life, it’s pretty likely that you’re also interested in living fully off the grid. One of the best steps towards this is implementing a solar power system in your van. This raises the big question: what size portable camping solar panel https://www.renogy.com/solar-panels/ do I need for my van? Portable solar panels are the perfect solution for van lifers who want to use solar energy to power their vans without making extensive modifications to their homes during installation. Check out why we think portable solar panels are the best option and how you can determine your solar needs and what size panels to buy. How Solar Works – The Basics In our lifetime, solar panels have gone from an exciting scientific advancement to being readily available for the average consumer. And it couldn’t have happened at a more crucial time for our planet. Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity, making it the cleanest and most available renewable energy we can use. To harness the sun’s power for your van life needs, you can create your own solar power grid by combining the basic components: Solar panels Batteries A charge controller A power inverter These items work together to convert energy from the sun into usable DC and AC power. The Perks of Portable Solar Panels Many van lifers opt to get their solar panels installed on their roofs. However, with the increased availability of portable solar panel kits that include everything you need, portable solar panels might be the best option for you. Some of the General Benefits of Using Solar for Your Van Saving the planet: Perhaps the best aspect of using solar panels is doing your part in protecting the environment. Using the cleanest form of renewable energy will help minimize your carbon footprint, a big concern for many who live the van life. Spending less money: Solar panels are one of the cheapest ways to generate electricity after the initial purchase and installation. Plus, if you’re fully self-sufficient, you’ll save money on campsites since you won’t need to find full hookups to power your home on wheels. Enjoying comfortable boondocking: Those who like to go off the grid can now do so while still having many of the comforts we want, like working from your van or enjoying a hot cup of coffee. Portable Solar Panel Units Have Some Unique Advantages Moving to the optimal area: You can continuously relocate portable solar panels to always be in the most direct sunlight, improving your energy output. This also means you can park your van in the shade and still produce electricity through your solar panels placed in the sun. Utilizing solar panels in other situations: Portable solar panels are more versatile and can be used in many ways. For example, you can bring small units on short camping trips, loan them to a friend or family member, or even use them at your house when you’re not enjoying van life. Installing is a breeze: You don’t have to make any major modifications to your van to use portable solar panels. Most portable solar panels come with their own charge controller or battery or connect easily with the battery in your van.