Solar Panels - worth it?

[Adeline]

Last year we spend 7 nights on a campground in the Spanish Pyrenees in September. We had no EHU, used the fridge, lights in the evening and charged 3 phones, and the battery held out the whole time.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

I have just listed my 360W setup following the sale of my van.

I am biased, but along with the Brandrup mattress, it was the best modification to our camping experience.

Kept everything run by the leisure batteries running and charged my Ecoflow Delta 2 power pack to run all our 240V accessories.

We never needed to use EHU.

 

[finchette]

Is the website for solar panels solutions still running? I am getting an security error message.

 

[ThomasHJ]

Is the website for solar panels solutions still running? I am getting an security error message.

Are you looking for Roger Donoghue's website? Solar Camper Solutions? Seems to be working fine for me. Do you have the right URL? https://www.solarcampersolutions.com/

Edit: I see https://www.solarcampersolutions.co.uk/ (The UK domain) is indeed giving me an error also. Seems SSL is misconfigurated. I'm sure @Roger Donoghue will want to know and fix it soon.

I assume the information on the .com domain is the same as the co.uk domain, so hopefully this helps you find what you need.

 

[WelshGas]

Is the website for solar panels solutions still running? I am getting a security error message.

Working fine for me. https://www.solarcampersolutions.com/

 

[larrylamb]

I have just listed my 360W setup following the sale of my van.

Are you buying another camper or just selling up?

 

[Readz]

Hi All.

Wife and I were having a discussion yesterday about solar power and of all things 'wonder how long before someone invents solar power lawn mower'.........(you can see we have interesting chats lol!!! Is there one yet.....................................this lead onto a general chit chat about solar. We're used to it, as have both Solar PV and Thermal panels which are great - I have a thermal store full of hot water at moment thanks to solar and last year got back some £800 from generation of PV so discussion turned to is it a good idea on a Cali and what will it cost.

We have a 22 Reg Ocean 204 which appears to have literally all VW options bar heated screen and 4motion on it!!. When not in use it sits on our drive in front of garage and I simply plug plug into garage to keep batteries charged.

Our hols consist of mainly Scotland, normally early May or late Sept typically on small CL with EHU but ocassionally we've used large sites such as Big Sand at Gairloch or the large Dornoch site where we find quiet spots but without hook up. I'm due to retire anytime soon (but there's always one last job lol) so these adventure will increase and may well go further afield - I know Ireland is planned for next year so would having solar panel/s fitted be a good idea and worth the cost, bearing in mind we'll probs keep Cali for at least 6 years (we had our last T5 conversion for 9).

Have many of you gone down this route and if so what are the optimum number of panels needed and who is the best company to use to get professional fitting - I'm near Norwich? Any ideas on cost.............

All advice gratefully received

Like Jim says really depends on how you use the van. I’m away now very similar van to yours 22 plate. I’m on my 5th night now without plugging into charge. Granted I’m carful with everything but I have the fridge on constantly No3. I only put roof up when it’s hot, only run water when absolute necessary and I’m careful with lighting. iPad charges every night, nothing else plugged in to drain batteries.
I’m very reluctant to install panels as I want to put roof bars on soon for Kayak and I hate the idea of a hole for the wiring. That’s just me hope I’ve helped a little.

 

[WelshGas]

Like Jim says really depends on how you use the van. I’m away now very similar van to yours 22 plate. I’m on my 5th night now without plugging into charge. Granted I’m carful with everything but I have the fridge on constantly No3. I only put roof up when it’s hot, only run water when absolute necessary and I’m careful with lighting. iPad charges every night, nothing else plugged in to drain batteries.
I’m very reluctant to install panels as I want to put roof bars on soon for Kayak and I hate the idea of a hole for the wiring. That’s just me hope I’ve helped a little.

You plan on leaving the Kayak on all the time except when using it?, and the only hole would be a 2mm slit in the tailgate rubber wiring cover.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Are you buying another camper or just selling up?

Selling up for now. We had some good times. Luckily a last minute French road trip before I had to sell.

Needs must. Too strong a dealer bid to turn down.

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Like Jim says really depends on how you use the van. I’m away now very similar van to yours 22 plate. I’m on my 5th night now without plugging into charge. Granted I’m carful with everything but I have the fridge on constantly No3. I only put roof up when it’s hot, only run water when absolute necessary and I’m careful with lighting. iPad charges every night, nothing else plugged in to drain batteries.
I’m very reluctant to install panels as I want to put roof bars on soon for Kayak and I hate the idea of a hole for the wiring. That’s just me hope I’ve helped a little.

I would agree with @WelshGas comment - there are no holes to drill in the roof to install solar.

The curly cable enters through the rubber boot for the wiring loom at the top of the tailgate. Very neat.

Having just uninstalled my solar, having sold the van, none of the wiring or mounting of the Vicrtron and inline fuses leaves any mess or sign they were once there (I used velcro to attach mine in the rear cupboard, didn't leave a trace).