Solar panels for caravans and motorhomes come in two kinds: panels that stay on the roof and charge the leisure battery wherever you are, and portable panels or solar blankets you set out at a shaded campsite. This collection has flexible roof panels, roof-mount hardware and cable glands, and folding panels from 100 W to 200 W.
We supply the panels and mounting parts, not complete kits: you will still need a solar regulator (charge controller) and cable sized for the run to your battery.
How much solar does a caravan or motorhome need?
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Add up daily watt-hours from your fridge, lights, water pump, TV and device charging (watts × hours; one watt-hour is one watt for one hour, per the EIA).
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Divide by peak sun hours for where and when you tour. Peak sun hours equal the day's solar energy in kWh/m² (NLR); PVWatts from NLR gives monthly figures for locations worldwide. Winter touring needs far more panel per watt-hour than summer, so size for the season you actually use.
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Divide by 0.86 for the 14% default system losses PVWatts assumes (NLR).
Worked example: 1,000 Wh a day at 5 peak sun hours is 1,000 ÷ 5 ÷ 0.86 ≈ 233 W. At 2 peak sun hours, the same loads need about 581 W, which is why many caravans add a portable panel for shoulder-season trips instead of filling the whole roof.
On the battery side, how deep you can discharge depends on the battery type: design depth of discharge runs from about 20% to 80% depending on chemistry (Penn State). Size the battery for the days without sun you want to ride through.
Roof panels for caravans and motorhomes
Mounting on a thin aluminium roof skin is covered step by step in aluminium RV roof solar mounting; flexible-panel fit and lifespan in flexible solar panels for RVs and boats.
Portable panels and blankets for the campsite
A roof panel is useless when the caravan is parked under trees. A folding panel or solar blanket on a lead goes where the sun is. Figures are from each product page.
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200 W eight-section solar blanket: about 4 kg, folds to 16.14 × 15.35 × 3.07 in, IP65 panel surface; listed outputs are USB-C PD up to 45 W and USB-A.
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200 W fabric four-section panel: 4.2 kg, DC5525 and USB outputs with MC4 cable options.
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200 W folding panel, 24 V: Vmp 24 V, Voc 28.8 V, 8.05 kg; for an MPPT regulator or a power station that accepts that voltage.
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200 W TOPCon folding panel: 5.76 kg, Voc 21.11 V, rear supports 30–60°.
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150 W three-fold panel: 4.2 kg, 17.4 V / 8.62 A maximum.
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120 W four-fold panel: 4.3 kg, kickstands at 20°, 40° and 60°.
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100 W ETFE folding panel: 3.8 kg, IP68-rated, MC4 cable with DC5521, Anderson, XT60 and DC7909 ends.
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100 W two-section folding panel: 3.2 kg, MC4 leads with DC barrel and Anderson adapter options.
Connecting to the leisure battery
- Every panel goes through a solar regulator to the battery; the product pages say battery charging needs suitable charging control, not a direct panel-to-battery connection.
- Check the regulator's maximum input voltage against the panel's open-circuit voltage (Voc), and its current rating against the panels' combined current.
- If the caravan already has a roof panel, check whether your regulator or DC-DC charger accepts a second solar input before adding a portable panel.
Frequently asked questions
What size solar panel do I need for a caravan?
Daily watt-hours ÷ peak sun hours ÷ 0.86. For 1,000 Wh a day at 5 peak sun hours that is about 233 W; at 2 peak sun hours it is about 581 W.
Roof panel or portable panel for a caravan?
Roof panels charge while you drive and when you are away from the van; portable panels charge when the caravan is in the shade and can be aimed at the sun. Touring caravans often have both.
Do you sell complete caravan solar kits?
No. We supply panels, blankets, brackets and cable glands; pair them with a regulator, fuses and cable sized for your system.
Can a flexible panel go on a motorhome roof?
Yes, a flexible panel suits a curved or height-limited motorhome roof; measure the clear area between vents and rails first. Larger roof setups are covered on RV solar panels, and van conversions on campervan solar panels.
Can you make panels to fit our caravan model?
Yes, for builders and dealers: flexible panels to your roof footprint, voltage, connector layout and branding on custom flexible solar panels, and folding panels on custom foldable solar panels.
