Camping with Solar Power: What You Need to Know

The desire to go camping is often tied to the desire to disconnect from the trappings and distractions of the modern world. While there are days that might make you want to run into the woods and never return, odds are, you may not want to lose all of the conveniences of said modern world. And some of those conveniences require electricity. So what do you do when you want to get away from it all, but might want to hold on to a few 21st century comforts (like your smart phone…just in case of emergencies, right?)

Solar Power is the answer!

Camping with solar power provides you the flexibility to camp pretty much anywhere you can get, without leaving a massive carbon footprint.

In this guide, we are going to answer some of the top questions surrounding camping with solar power. We’ll answer:

• How Does Camping With Solar Power Work?
• What are the Benefits of Camping With Solar Power?
  • Will Solar Panels Work on Rainy and Cloudy Days?
  • Will Solar Panels Work In Cold Weather?
• How Do I Know Which Solar Accessories to Choose?
• How Much Solar Power Will I Need?

To put it simply, solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. Once the electrical energy is created, it is stored in a battery and used as electricity. This is known as the photovoltaic effect.

Solar panels don’t just work on their own. They also require a charge controller and batteries.

Charge controllers help regulate the flow of electricity from the solar panels to your battery. Your battery then stores the converted electricity and can be used as you would any battery once charged.

Victron Blue Solar Charge Controller

Yes. While cloudy and rainy days are not what we would call sunny, there is still sunlight available to be converted. Because there is less sunlight, however, the conversion efficiency may decrease, resulting in a longer battery charge time.

Yes! It is a common misconception that solar panels require heat. Solar panels absorb energy from sunlight – not heat! In fact, heat can actually slow power production.

To understand the optimal conditions for your solar panel, be sure to reference manufacturer data for your specific model.

Over the past decade, we’ve seen an increase in solar popularity. So what’s the deal?

There is no doubt that camping with solar power is one of the most eco-friendly ways to camp. Utilizing solar power reduces your carbon footprint and minimizes the impact you have on the environment around you.

Especially for boon-docking and going off-the-grid, solar power’s reliability is hard to beat. There is practically always sunlight available, leaving you free to explore remote landscapes to your traveler’s heart’s content!

Pro Tip: If you are concerned with running out of power at night, be sure to invest in extra batteries!

Portable solar panels are designed to be portable. You definitely are not dragging a solar panel that you would put on your house around – can you imagine?!

The portable design of these panels make them ideal for packing up with your camping gear and storing in a teardrop trailer.

When choosing the solar panel that is best for you, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind:

Solar panels come with different portability options: folding, rolling, and rigid. Take into account your travel and packing space when choosing which is right for you.

Additionally, you will want to consider wattage. The higher the wattage, the faster the charging.

Once you have selected a solar panel, you will need to select a battery or batteries that match your power requirements.

This is not something you want to skimp on. Investing in a quality charge controller will help ensure your battery charges efficiently and does not overcharge!

Understanding how much solar power you will need for your trip can be tricky. It depends on so many things –mainly what you plan to power.

To gauge your individual needs, try using a solar power calculator!

One (of 2) 100W Rooftop Solar Panels

Camping with solar power is an eco-responsible way to embrace your love of adventure. Explore remote locations, go off-the-grid, all without compromising the conveniences of electricity.

Whether you are a weekend camper or full-time traveler, Vistabule has an option for you. The best part? You can include solar panels that are built in, leaving one less decision for you to make when planning your trip.

Check out our interactive pricing sheet to start designing the teardrop trailer of your dreams. Still unsure what you need? Reach out to us! Our team is ready and available to answer any questions.