Many people love to go on camping trips and explore nature. Setting up the fire, watching the stars at night and spending quality time with family are great experiences. At such enjoyable moments, you wish to have a hot cup of coffee, but wonder how to get that coffee knowing that the coffee machine cannot work at a camping site in the middle of nowhere.
You are about to make a video about your camping or backpacking adventure and your phone battery dies on you and you are not able to charge your phone? In such situations, you wish you would have a portable energy supplier. Well, Solar Panel Kits for Camping are exactly what you need to power up appliances in off-grid locations.
So, If you love to go camping or seek fun in adventures, then a Solar Panel Kit is the ultimate solution to enjoy a portable energy supply. Solar Panels allow you to charge your devices with solar produced electricity. When it comes to buying a Solar Panel Kit, you have a variety of options available on the market. Now comes the important part: Which one to buy? This is quite important to consider since Solar Panel kits come with different features and prices, therefore you have to carefully look at the features of all the selected products in order to buy the right kit that meets your energy needs.
We have zeroed down the top 5 Solar Power Kits to make things easier for you. Our unbiased reviews will help you to buy the Solar Panel Kit which perfectly fits your needs.
My Suggested 5 Solar Panel Kits for Camping:
1. Renogy KIT-STARTER-100D Starter Kit
The Renogy 100 Watt is a high-performance monocrystalline system that works at 21% efficiency. It gives 400Wh regular output relying on the availability of sunlight for 4 hours. Pre-drilled holes make it easy to install on the RV or wherever it is placed. The quick and easy installation makes it a great fit for cabins, trailers, sheds, boats and RVs.
Just like the Renogy 200 Watt Solar Panel Kit, it functions without creating any disturbing sounds. One of its plus points is the fact that it comes with all the necessary components, so you don’t need to buy parts individually.
The panels are sturdy and perfectly dependable. Another good feature of this kit is that you can expand it. You can add additional panels and batteries as per your needs. Even an inverter can also be added, depending upon the power consumption of users. Many customers add three panels to get surplus power supply. The controller in this Solar Panel Starter Kit is good enough for 4 panels.
If you are looking for a high-performance system at a good price, then this Solar Panel Kit is just so right for you.
Best Features
- Great 21% efficiency
- Can bear low-pressure water jets
- Weather-resistant
- Fair Priced
2. Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel Starter Kit
The Renogy 200 Watt Solar Panel Starter Kit comes with two 100W 12V solar panels, a 30A PWM charge controller, an 8-foot 10AWG tray cable and a 20-foot 10AWG connector adapter kit. You will also get the Z-brackets and branch connectors in this kit for efficient and quick installation.
It gives a great 800 Wh(Watts/hour) daily power which relies on a 4-hour sunlight availability. This panel is appropriate for applications that need a smaller coverage; thus, this is mostly preferred by those with RVs and campers. It works with 21% high solar cell efficiency. Weather resistance and durability are its prominent features. The use of a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame in the panels makes it long-lasting. The aluminum frames on panels also bear rough weather such as high winds and snow loads.
Easy installation is another plus point. There is no hassle while setting it, plug& play cables and pre-drilled holes on the back make the installation process quick and easy. The simplicity of this kit surely attracts many RV’ers and campers. For those who have never installed Solar Panels, the Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel Starter Kit is the right choice for them. They will find it easy to connect the components and install the entire system.
If at any time you wish to add batteries, you can choose from its supported batteries including gel batteries, lithium batteries and lead-acid batteries. Some users may worry about any noise coming from the Solar Panel Kit, well you should not worry about noise in a Solar Panel Kit as they do not produce any noise at all. This is a very reliable backup power supply!
The two 100W Solar Panels can easily be installed on an RV’ or camper’s roof. To reduce damage to the vehicle’s top, you can connect the Solar Panel mounts to the strong materials connected to the RV’s rooftop.
Best Features
- Weather-resistant
- Lightweight
- High Charging power
3. Renogy 400 Watt 12 Volt Premium 4 Pcs 100W Panel
The third-best Solar Panel Kit on our list also comes from Renogy. Renogy Solar Kits can be utilized for many purposes, from stream charging batteries to going about as an emergency power backup system. For whatever reason the kit is utilized, you can have confidence that you are buying a quality system.
When it comes to Renogy 400 Watt Solar Panel Kit, one can say that these 400 Monocrystalline starter kits are made for customers who don’t have any experience of using solar energy and those who intend to expand the current power system. This amazing 400W Monocrystalline starter kit is best for RVs, cabins, sheds and boats.
It gives an amazing power output of 1600WH (regular output) and runs on a 22% higher solar efficiency system. One of its great features is multiple protected that caught our attention.
This Solar Panel Kit includes a 40A MPPT solar charge controller that automatically detects any high voltage issues. In this way the controller waves off the worries of high fluctuating voltage disrupting the power of the Solar Panel. The MPPT technology helps in keeping the battery safe from overcharge, overvoltage and reversed polarity assurance.
The customers get a complete installation package at the time of buying the kit which includes bolts, Solar Panels and the charge controller. Just like in Renogy KIT-STARTER-100D Starter Kit, you can also add panels and batteries in this Renogy 400 Watt Solar Panel Kit. It gives a satisfactory performance on sunny and cloudy days, so all in all, good to go!
Best Features
- Contains several electronic protections
- Reliable
- 4 stage battery charging for increased efficiency
4. SolisPlus 100 Watt Portable Solar Panel for Camping with Power Bank – Foldable ETFE
Thanks to the advanced technology innovations, with each passing day solar power technology has become more refined and lightweight, making it possible to use panels for charging any device. Folding Solar Panels is a portable choice when it comes to utilizing panels in outdoor activities.
The kit comes with two 50W monocrystalline portable foldable Solar Panels, a solar charge controller, alligator clip connectors and a 10000 mAh power bank. It is highly durable, weather-resistant and can be used in camping, in trailers, boats and RVs.
For all campers, the Solis Plus Portable Solar Panel Charging Kit is a great travel partner. It provides an adequate power supply for charging electronic devices. If you are camping on a full sunny day, you will have the benefit of charging multiple devices at a time. It gives maximum output on bright sunny days, but still gives sufficient power supply on cloudy days, it’s just that charging will take a bit longer.
It is sturdy and completely reliable for outdoor consumption. Highly durable and strong ETFE materials have been used to make this Solis Plus Solar Panel Kit. It functions properly in light rain, snow, high humidity and other severe environmental conditions. The solar charging panels are water resistant and weatherproof. Customers who have used it finds no errors or flaws in its manufacturing.
Not only does it give ample power supply for charging, but also gives the standard DC cable with which you can charge all your devices. So, no worries about taking extra cables or adapters which surely sound like a hassle!
It’s lightweight and needs less space in a vehicle, thus a great Solar Panel Kit for short trips. It hardly takes a few seconds to fold or unfold it which makes it super convenient for the users. It is supplied with a Velcro strip to keep it safe inside the pouch. The panels are quite thick and strong, but can easily bend which makes them fit almost on every surface, particularly sun-facing surfaces to get the maximum efficiency.
Best Features
- Lightweight
- Can be used in different weather conditions
- Affordable
5.Topsolar 30W 12V Solar Panel Kit Battery Charger Maintainer
The Topsolar 30W Solar Panel Kit comes with 30 Watts Solar Panel, Two 6.5Ft Cable with Alligator Clips, 10A 12V/24V Solar Charger Regulator Controller and O-Ring Terminal for Battery Charging Connection. It doesn’t give users a hard time with assembling the components and installation.
It is specially made for powering up 12 volt batteries in boats, RVs, shed, car, cabin, marines, dry camping, garden watering, and battery operated gates. It is very useful if you need backup power and remote power use.
Just like our other reviewed Solar Panel Kits, it is lightweight and manufactured with high performance monocrystalline solar cells and the aluminum and corrosion-resistant aluminum frame for withstanding various weather conditions. The high-quality material and 25 years of guaranteed power supply make it extremely durable and long lasting.
It is an important aspect of any Solar Panel Kit that it remains protected from high voltage fluctuations, battery overcharge or any other short circuit issues. Because these problems can disrupt the efficiency and high performance of the Solar Panel Kit in use and might damage its mechanism. Thankfully the Topsolar 30W 12V panel kit includes the 10A Solar Charger Controller that protects the battery from these mishaps.
Best Features
- Can be used for multiple applications
- Easy to install
- Long lasting
What to Consider When Buying a Solar Panel Kit?
A Solar Panel can be used in a few places. Deciding whether you’ll utilize your Solar Panel Kit for your home, a vehicle, a shed, while camping, or in any other area will assist you with figuring out what sort of Solar Panel you’ll require.
You should consider a few things to assist you with tracking down the one that meets your requirements best. Let’s discuss the factors that you need to pay attention to before deciding on a Solar Panel Kit.
1. Where Do You Intend to Use the Solar Panel Kit?
The initial step to buying a Solar Panel Kit is concluding whether you want a huge or small Solar Panel System to power your house, camper, cabin or any other off-grid area. Usually, 100-600W systems are effective for powering small loads like small electronic appliances. However, larger loads require at least a 1500W system.
2. Where will the Solar Panel Kit be installed?
The second important consideration is where you will install your Solar Panel Kit. If you intend to readily power up electronic appliances, particularly when you are traveling, then you will require something portable.
Most standard Solar Panel Kits are manufactured to be installed for good in one location, whether that is on the rooftop or the ground. A Solar Panel can be permanently installed on the roof of an RV, but this might not be the most reasonable choice for everyone.
A few portable Solar Panel Kits are made considering travel. They offer elements like foldable or adaptable panels, pre-drilled holes, pre-wiring, lightweight materials, pop-out stands and resilience. Usually, portable Solar Panel Kits are 100-200W, because if the Watts are increased, they would weigh more and occupy additional space.
3. Is It Preferred to Buy a Solar Panel and Battery Kit?
Solar Panel Kits generally come in two setups:
- Panels and Wires
- Panels with batteries and inverters
Panels that have inverters and batteries are essentially more useful because they let you store the energy and supply power to devices that require AC, rather than simply the DC you get from your battery. However, panels with batteries and inverters are additionally expensive.
You would rather not run into a circumstance where you have numerous batteries that are not compatible with your panels either. This implies that making a more efficient and high-performance solar technology system needs proper planning and making sure that all parts are compatible.
It is recommended that you purchase a Solar Panel Kit with both inverter and battery except if you are planning to use it for RV since RV already has an inverter and a battery.
In a nutshell, buying a complete and ready to install Solar Panel Kit is a lot simpler than trying to sort out what parts and wires you need to purchase if bought independently.
4. Which Is the Preferred Solar Panel Kit for Off-Grid?
The preferred Solar Panel Kit for off-grid purposes is the one that fulfills your energy needs. It’s ideal to put resources into panels that have basically a 30% edge between how much power you want and what the panels produce. This is because most Solar Panels lose effectiveness over the long run, debasing at around 1% per year.
This debasement rate will differ, contingent upon when your Solar Panel System was made. Those manufactured before the year 2000 debase at 0.5% yearly, and most models post-2000 debilitate at under 0.4% yearly.
Considering this extremely small loss, I guaranty that you can continue to utilize your kit successfully for 20-30 years before supplanting the panels.
Fortunately, you can add and connect various Solar Panel Systems, although you might have to get a couple more wires and battery parts for that. Assuming you have the space to mount your panels, this will help in making sure that you have a great surplus of electricity supply to fulfill all your energy requirements.
5. How Many Solar Panels Do I Need?
The quantity of Solar Panels you require to fulfill your power needs relies upon a couple of principal factors: your normal power utilization, the wattage of each panel, and how much light you get daily.
Is It Easy to Install a Solar Power System Kit?
Most of the time, users new to solar technology, can install Solar Panel System kits by themselves. Because, manufacturers try to build Solar System mechanisms in starter kits as simple as possible. Most systems simply require connecting the right wires to each part.
The genuine difficulty of installing the best Solar Panel Kits comes from mounting them on brackets at the right angle. Getting the right angle is critical to boosting the consistent efficiency of the panels.
The ideal angle for a Solar Panel relies upon the scope, with the objective being to get the panel in the opposite position to the sun as possible. The sun keeps on changing its position, so except if you get particularly good enough with the installment it won’t be perfect. It can be adequate, but most probably you will be compromising on the maximum efficiency.
The ideal angles exist from 30 degrees to around 45 degrees, although this can differ fairly relying upon where you reside. Different variables like the presence of trees or vulnerability to weather conditions can also influence the best angle to install a Solar Panel Kit.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Question: Is There Any Difference Between Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline Panels?
Answer: The materials used in the manufacturing of Solar Panels impact the productivity of 1.6-kilowatts of the general unit. Solar Panels are generally made with either polycrystalline or monocrystalline solar cells.
Monocrystalline Panels deliver more effective energy output because they’re made with the highest quality silicon. These panels are considerably smaller and lighter because they require less space to deliver comparable outcomes.
Question: Is It Possible to Add More Batteries to My Solar Panel Kit?
Answer: More batteries can be added to the Solar Panel Kit to help you save energy wastage. By using more batteries, you will be able to power more appliances in case an emergency occurs.
It is better if you use a similar sort of battery during the entire life of your solar grid. This lessens the opportunity of any differences arising in the system and harming the place or internal solar technology system.
Question: Do I Need to Buy Extra Accessories or Equipment?
Answer: Some kits include everything required to start the Solar Panel System. However, others don’t offer all the equipment or accessories. A fully operational solar system consists of:
- Solar panels
- Connectors and wiring
- A battery
- Mounting hardware
- A solar charge controller
Most kits don’t come with a battery, so you’ll have to buy that independently.
Question: Is There a Need to Get a Permit to Install a Solar Panel Kit?
Answer: In certain states, you will require a grant to install a Solar Panel Kit. As a rule, individual panels that won’t be associated with outside electrical grids, like those installed on RVs, don’t need a license. However, you’ll require a permit if you’re installing a Solar Panel Kit on your home.
Question: Should I Ask a Professional to Install My Solar Panels?
Answer: For those with practically no involvement with electrical engineering, it could be ideal to contact an expert before playing with wiring and electrical parts.
Final Thoughts
Solar Panel Kits are great for those intending to power a small off-grid boat, RV appliances, a cabin or other small electronic devices/appliances. Heavy load kits are capable of powering the entire energy needs of a small house. Based on your particular intention, there are quality kits available on the market that conveniently fulfill your energy requirements.
Buying a total kit is more budget-friendly than purchasing each component of equipment independently. Most Solar Panel Kits can be updated and extended as much as you want, the more power you need, the more you can add to your solar system, be more panels or more batteries, simply upgrade according to your needs. Thanks for reading, if you think I forget something or if you simply want to share a story or some advice, feel free to leave a comment below, Be Safe and Happy Camping.!