There’s nothing worse than being mid vacation only to find that your campervan is getting low on power, meaning you can’t have all your devices running at the same time.

This is a particular problem if you have a fridge in your campervan that you need to keep on in order to keep your food fresh.

And another issue with using gas to power devices in your campervan is of course the environmental impact. It can really drive up your carbon footprint, which isn’t great when there’s so much pressure right now to reduce it.

But luckily there’s an easy solution to both of these issues. If you were to invest in a solar panel or two for your campervan, not only will you have a constant source of power, but you get to enjoy it knowing that it’s not going to harm the environment or unnecessarily use up vital limited resources.

Luckily, there are some really great solar panels for campervans and RVs on the market at the moment. And, after much deliberation, we were able to handpick a shortlist of our top 10 favorites, and our reviews on these are coming up very shortly.

But if you don’t really know what you should look for in a solar panel for a campervan or RV, it can be really tricky to decide which one to get. So for this reason, we have also put together a handy buying guide for you, that will walk you through everything you might want to consider before you buy. 

And without further ado, let’s get straight to it!

1 Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit

This is easily our favorite campervan solar panel. First off, it has a maximum output of a whopping 200 watts. That’s double the power than what most other such campervan solar panels have to offer. 

The solar panel uses monocrystalline cells, which, as we discuss in our buying guide a little later on, makes it far more efficient than its polycrystalline counterparts.

And it comes as an entire kit, rather than just the solar panel alone. In addition to the solar panel, you also get a special controller, all the cables you need, and all the hardware that you need to install the solar panel on the roof of your campervan. All you’ll need to obtain separately is a 12 volt battery.

Installing the solar panel is easy, and there’s a handy video on the product page to demonstrate what you’ll need to do. 

Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular solar panel kit, simply click on “check price” to see if there’s a deal on now.

The 200 watt version is a little expensive to buy, but there are also 100 watt versions of the kit that are cheaper.

Pros:

• Offers a whopping 200 watts of power
• Comes as an entire kit with mounting hardware
• Uses monocrystalline cells for high efficiency

Cons:

• Premium product at a premium price

2 BLUETTI SP200 200w Solar Panel

Now, this is a great solar panel! It’s been awarded the title of Amazon’s Choice in the category of camper van solar panels. Such a title is only awarded to products that are both of excellent quality and are available at a good and reasonable price.

Of course, as a very powerful 200 watt solar panel, it’s somewhat more expensive than your regular 100 watt solar panels, however. But that’s not the only thing we love about it…

With this solar panel, you don’t need to worry about the hassle of having to drill into the roof of your campervan to install it. Instead, when you get to the campsite, you simply unfold it, and stand it up somewhere where the sun is shining. It really couldn’t be any easier. 

It’s very compact when folded, measuring 20.7 by 20.5 inches, so will easily fit into your campervan when on the road. And it’s relatively lightweight to carry at just 14.3 pounds.

The solar panel uses monocrystalline cells, which, as we discuss in our buying guide a little later on, makes it far more efficient than its polycrystalline counterparts.

Pros:

• Offers a whopping 200 watts of power
• You don’t have to install it to your campervan roof
• Uses monocrystalline cells for high efficiency
• Very lightweight and compact when folded

Cons:

• Only intended for use with a AC200P/EB70/AC50S/EB150/EB240 Bluetti Power Station
• Premium product at a premium price

3 Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel

When we saw the customer ratings on this beauty, we just had to see what all the fuss was about – and we weren’t disappointed! Excellent value for money.

This is one of the most portable solar panels you can get, weighing a mere 6.6 pounds. And you don’t need to worry about the hassle of having to drill into the roof of your campervan to install it. Instead, when you get to the campsite, you simply unfold it, and stand it up somewhere where the sun is shining, thanks to the simple stress-free kick-stand set up.

The solar panel uses monocrystalline cells, which, as we discuss in our buying guide a little later on, makes it far more efficient than its polycrystalline counterparts.

It’s equipped with both a USB-C and a USB-A port, so you can use it to charge up to 2 devices at the same time without going through the generator/battery pack to do so.

Pros:

• Particularly lightweight at just 6.6 pounds
• Incredibly easy to set up once you’re settled
• Uses monocrystalline cells for high efficiency
• Equipped with both a USB-C and a USB-A port
• Available at a very affordable price point

Cons:

• Only offers 60 watts of power at the max
• Can only be used with certain Jackery generators

4 RICH SOLAR 100 Watt 12 Volt Polycrystalline Solar Panel

It’s not very often you see a product with a full 5-star average customer rating on Amazon, but Rich Solar has pulled it off.

It can provide up to 100 watts of power on a full charge, which is enough to provide about 400 Watt-hours of power each day (more on this in our buying guide a little later).

It uses polycrystalline solar cells, which goes some way to explaining how it’s so affordable.

And although it doesn’t come with mounting hardware included, there are 14 pre-drilled holes in the frame, and it’s compatible with a range of different mounts, including a tilt mount (more on this in our buying guide, later).

But what really impressed us with this beauty is the warranty. It comes backed by a 25-year limited warranty for power output, and a 5-year warranty for material and workmanship.

Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular solar panel kit, simply click on “check price” to see if there’s a deal on now.

Pros:

• Bargain affordable price tag
• Provides up to 100 watts of power on a full charge
• Comes backed by an impressively long manufacturer’s warranty

Cons:

• It uses polycrystalline cells rather than monocrystalline 
• Mounting hardware is not provided, and would have to be bought separately

5 ACOPOWER 120w 12v Portable Solar Panel

Now, this is a solar panel that really has a lot going for it.

It can provide up to 120 watts of power, which is slightly more than most regular solar panels, which usually tend to offer just 100 watts. And it’s significantly more affordable than the big 200 watt panels that made our shortlist. 

It’s a portable panel rather than a fixed or mounted one, so you don’t need to worry about drilling into the roof of your campervan to install it. Instead, when you get to the campsite, you simply unfold it, and stand it up somewhere where the sun is shining, thanks to the simple stress-free kick-stand set up.

The solar panel uses monocrystalline cells, which, as we discuss in our buying guide a little later on, makes it far more efficient than its polycrystalline counterparts.

But what really impressed us with this solar panel kit, is the integrated output box. It has several different ports so you can power several different gadgets at the same time. Moreover, there’s a built-in smart IC chip which maximizes the charging speed while at the same time protecting your devices from overloading and overcharging

Pros:

• Offers a generous 120 watts of power
• Uses monocrystalline cells for high efficiency
• Integrated output box & maximum charging speed
• Does not require being mounted on the roof
• Available at a very reasonable price

Cons:

• Premium product at a premium price

6 Topsolar 100W 12V Solar Panel Kit

As we mention in our buying guide a little later on, one of the best ways to mount a solar panel on the roof of a campervan is at a tilt, in order to give it maximum exposure to direct sunlight. And this solar panel kit comes with a special V shape mount tilt rack bracket, to achieve exactly that. And, better yet, you can adjust the mourning angle as required.

It also comes with a charge controller, all the cables you need, and all the necessary mounting hardware.

And even though it only offers the standard 100 watts of power, the tilted bracket means that it should reach a full charge far more quickly than it’s flat non-titled counterparts. 

The solar panel uses monocrystalline cells, which, as we discuss in our buying guide a little later on, makes it far more efficient than its polycrystalline counterparts.

And it also happens to be available at a bargain, affordable price.

Pros:

• Features a special V shape mount tilt rack bracket
• Comes with all the accessories you need
• Can provide up to 100 watts of power
• Uses monocrystalline cells for high efficiency
• It’s available at a bargain, affordable price

Cons:

• This solar panel kit only has an average customer rating of 4 stars on Amazon, whereas all the others in our shortlist have a rating of 4 and a half stars

7 Renogy 160 Watt 12 Volt Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel

Please note, this review is for the 160 watt version of this solar panel, but it’s also available in 50, 100, 175. And 200 watts.

If you have a curved roof on your campervan, don’t worry, you can still mount a solar panel to the roof with one that’s as bendy and flexible as this one. It’s ultra-lightweight, and it can bend up to a whopping 248 degrees, whereas most other flexible solar panels of this nature can only bend to a mere 30 degrees. This way you’re bound to catch some sunlight whether the sun is in front of you or behind you.

The 160 watt version offers more power than your usual 100 watt solar panels. But unfortunately, it usually costs considerably more.

The solar panel uses monocrystalline cells, which, as we discuss in our buying guide a little later on, makes it far more efficient than its polycrystalline counterparts.

You can buy the solar panel alone, or you can buy it as part of a deal together with a compatible battery charger. 

Pros:

• Incredibly lightweight and flexible
• Can be installed on a curved campervan roof
• Offers a whopping 160 watts of power
• Uses monocrystalline cells for high efficiency

Cons:

• Premium product at a premium price

8 Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel

This solar panel comes from one of our favorite brands. 

It’s a rigid solar panel that you can fix to the roof of your campervan for maximum sun exposure. You can either buy a single pack or a pack of two, and you can either buy the panel/s alone or together with the brackets, the mount, or even with a dedicated assembly tool.

It offers up to 100 watts of power, which is enough to provide about 400 Watt-hours of power each day (more on this in our buying guide shortly).

The solar panel uses monocrystalline cells, which, as we discuss in our buying guide a little later on, makes it far more efficient than its polycrystalline counterparts.

Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular solar panel kit, simply click on “check price” to see if there’s a deal on now.

Pros:

• Offers up to 100 watts of power
• Uses monocrystalline cells for high efficiency
• Available at a very affordable and reasonable price

Cons:

• Can’t be mounted on a curved campervan roof

9 Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit

We were very pleased to learn that the Renogy brand also does portable solar panels like this one. They are so much simpler to set up. Rather than having to drill holes in the roof of your campervan, you just put it up outside when you’re ready using the stress-free kickstand. 

It can provide up to 100 watts of power on a full charge, which is enough to provide about 400 Watt-hours of power each day (more on this in our buying guide shortly).

It comes complete with a handy charger controller, and it folds right up, so you can carry it like you would a suitcase. 

Amazon occasionally has deals on this particular solar panel kit, simply click on “check price” to see if there’s a deal on now.

Pros:

• No need to drill holes in your campervan
• Can provide up to 100 watts of power
• Comes with a handy charger controller
• Can be carried like a suitcase

Cons:

• More expensive than most fixed solar panels 

10 WindyNation 100 Watt 100W Solar Panel for 12 Volt Battery

This solar panel has received excellent customer ratings with the leading online retailers.

It can be mounted to the roof of your campervan, provided the roof is flat. Unfortunately, however, it does not come as a kit and no mounting hardware is included in the box.

Pros:

• Offers up to 100 watts of power
• Available at a bargain, affordable price

Cons:

• It uses polycrystalline cells rather than monocrystalline 
• Can’t be mounted on a curved campervan roof

Buying Guide

As promised, here’s your buying guide. This will walk you through everything you might want to think about before buying your campervan solar panel.

Power / Number Of Watts

The amount of power generated by a solar panel is measured in watts. The more power you need, the greater the number of watts you should look for. And the amount of power consumed by your various gadgets is measured in watt-hours (Wh).

Campervan solar panels typically offer 50, 100, or 200 watts of power. A 100 watt solar panel can provide about 400 Wh of power each day. But that probably doesn’t mean much to you, so here are some examples of power consumption…

Watching a 200 watt TV for 4 hours requires 800 Wh, while leaving a 60 watt lightbulb on for 6 hours requires 360 Wh. So, if you expect to use more than that, then you should ensure that your solar panel is up to the task. Even if this means investing in two solar panels rather than just one. 

But, it’s important to note at this point that you won’t get quite as much power from your solar panels on a particularly cloudy day. The power a solar panel can provide depends very much on the weather conditions in the area. The solar panel will only generate it’s maximum power when it’s in direct sunlight. Without such direct sunlight, you’re less likely to achieve a full charge. 

Size And Weight Of The Panel

Campervan solar panels can vary quite considerably in weight and size. You can get some flexible solar panels which are particularly lightweight, coming in at just 4 pounds. But on the other end of the spectrum, you can also get large solar panels which weigh ten times that at 40 pounds.

If you wish to mount a solar panel to the top of the campervan, you will need to be confident that the roof of the campervan can support this additional weight. You should also consider that making the campervan heavier will add to the amount of fuel required to run the campervan when on the road.

If you want to keep the solar panels inside the campervan when on the road and only get them out when you are stopped, then you will need to assess the dimensions of the solar panels, to ensure that you have enough storage space for them. 

Fixed Versus Portable Solar Panels

There’s a lot to be said for fixed solar panels. You can just mount them onto the roof of your RV, so they can get maximum exposure to the light at all times, even when on the road. So if you have sufficient room on your roof, this is certainly something worth considering. 

Alternatively, if you think the campervan’s roof won’t take the weight of a solar panel, you can instead get yourself a portable solar panel that you just bring out once set up on the campsite, and just place it in the sun. But for this, you will need room to store them in the campervan while on the road.

If you decide to go for a fixed solar panel, then the panel will come with mounting hardware, and you will have to fix the panel to the campervan yourself.

Rigid Versus Flexible Solar Panels

While many solar panels are quite rigid, you can also get flexible ones as well. Rigid solar panels are the most popular ones for vans and buildings.

Setting up a rigid solar panel for a campervan is easy. All you have to do is mount or bolt the panel in place, usually on the roof. Such solar panels are amazingly durable, and are designed to withstand even the harshest of weather conditions. This is because, in addition to the protection of an aluminum frame, they also lie underneath tempered glass.

But flexible solar panels can also have their advantages, too. They have a low profile, since they are less than an inch thick, (this is what makes them so flexible) and they usually weigh less than 6 pounds. Moreover, there’s no mounting or drilling to worry about. Instead, you simply just set it up when you want it and start drawing power immediately.

Monocrystalline Versus Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Solar panels can feature monocrystalline or polycrystalline cells. Solar panels that feature monocrystalline cells are more efficient than their polycrystalline counterparts because the cells are from a single source of silicone. These panels are usually smaller and more compact than polycrystalline panels. But there is a drawback to them, and that is their higher price. 

Polycrystalline solar panels feature blended silicon sources, and this usually means that they are bigger per watt. They are also less efficient, which means that in order to generate the same power as their monocrystalline counterparts, you will need to buy more panels. But they are considerably cheaper.

Extra Features

Many solar panel manufacturers sell their panels as stand-alone products. But this is not ideal.

When buying a solar panel for your campervan, we would strongly recommend that you buy an entire solar panel kit, rather than just the panel itself. That way, you will have everything you need to get set up and started.

Both fixed and portable solar panels, for example, will require charge controllers, connecting cables, and clips. And to fix a solar panel to the campervan roof, you will also need all the necessary mounting hardware. And it would be a hassle to have to buy all these items separately. So, please do check all this before making your purchase.

And that’s not all. If you were to invest in a tilting mount for a rigid solar panel, you can increase your solar energy gathering capacity by up to a whopping 25% just by enabling the panel to more or less directly face the sun, really maximizing its efficiency. So a kit that includes a tilted mount is something that’s certainly worth looking out for.