Buying a Solar Panel for your Trailer: Everything you need to know
Buying a Solar Panel for your Trailer: Everything you need to know
Posted on October 9, 2022
If you’ll be using your trailer for your next camping trip, the last thing you want is to experience some power problems. Solar energy is usually a great solution because it won’t tap into your vehicle's power supply by using the sun to recharge.
Using the sun's solar energy also means travelling to the most remote areas. The beauty of using a solar energy trailer is that you don't have to sacrifice using refrigerators, LED lights or even your mobile devices on your trip. Below we will outline a few things you need to know about solar panels for trailers.
What is a Trailer Solar Panel?
Trailer solar panels are similar to the standard commercial and residential solar panels, except that they’re smaller. They will collect and convert sunlight into usable electricity for your trailer. This means you can use your lights and plugs without worrying about overusing your trailer's central power system or dragging along a generator.
Trailer solar panels also provide an environmentally friendly and convenient way to supply your trailer with energy because they rely on a renewable source.
Choosing the Perfect Solar Panel for Your Trailer
When selecting the best solar panel for your trailer, you can either opt for one fitted on the roof or a portable unit. If there is enough space on the roof of your trailer, you can go for a more permanent solar panel installation, which means the solar panels don’t charge when you’re parked in the shade.
This isn’t the case with portable units because you can park your trailer in the shade and set up your panel in the sun. The only disadvantage of using these is that they will need packing space in your trailer. We recommend you go for the best solar panel unit for your trailer, depending on your needs and packing space.
What Should a Basic Solar Kit Have?
A basic solar kit should have the following elements:
- A charge controller
- Solar panels
- Auxiliary solar batteries
- An AC/DC power inverter
The quantity and size of these components usually contribute to the amount of power generated. Usually, the bigger they are, the more it’ll cost you to get the system.
Installing Solar Panels on Your Trailer
This installation process is for solar panels that will be mounted on the roof of your trailer. First, mount the panel on the roof, and install the charge controller in the trailer. You can use the refrigerator vent or any holes where plumbing enters the trailer to insert the wiring.
You then connect the wires from the charge controller to the battery bank. Double-check that all your wiring is correct, and then plug the solar panels into the charge controller. We recommend doing this at night or covering your solar panel to avoid a spark.
Conclusion
Solar panels are a renewable and reliable source of energy, and we recommend installing them on your trailer to bring ease to your next camping trip.