How Does a Solar Van Look Like?

Solar Panels On Your Van

One of the best electrical systems nowadays is the solar panel system. For electrical connection, this system is the best one. This system normally used at home, on top of the roof to run the electronic home appliances. To add more value, this solar system now works on the transportation system. And their latest addition is working on the van.

You can use the solar products for Van and get the topmost benefits by using it in your van. Here you will also find out while traveling how a solar panel helps you and how the solar system works on van. By adjusting some settings and using some kits you can use the solar panel on your van. Let’s find out all the details and working methods of solar panels on the van.

Solar Panel Meaning and its Working style

If you are choosing the solar system for the van, then you already know the meaning of the solar panel. Still, to clear your concept here is a simple idea about the solar panel system.

The solar panel is a system that works to run the electronic device through its power system. It means this device has the capability to capture the heat or rays from the sun. And, then this heat is converted into energy for use on the device. This solar system helps to capture the power and covert to DC electricity. Later this DC current will merge into AC current through this panel.

People basically use this solar panel at home. They set the panel on top of the roof and this panel does its own work when the sun hits the sky. Solar panels are also popularly used for street lighting.  But today we will see how this solar panel works on a traveling van.

Solar Panel on a Van

You can use the solar panel in a van if you want. But, it’s up to you where you will set the solar panel. Usually, people set the panel on the roof, but you can also set the panel beside or backside of the van. You can permanently adjust the panel on your van. You can set the angel of your van roof and charge it as long as you want. But first, you need to what products you actually need to set the solar panel on your van.

Things You Need to Use to Set up Solar Panel on Your Van

Some basic solar products you need to use to get the solar service on your vans. Here I will discuss some basic products that you need to use for adjusting the solar panel on your van.

● Silicon Solar Panel

This kind of solar panel is known by “Goal Zero” panels with backpacking terms. This kind of solar panel needs a larger amount of space to produce maximum energy. For example, if you need 45W for your van, you have to make a space of almost 4 feet in the van. This kind of panel is not popular anymore for the big van.

● Semi-Flexible Solar Panel

The semi-flexible panel is created by a Swiss team that is much more popular than another panel. Using the semi-flexible solar panel is now a trend. This panel is lightweight and capable of consuming more energy than others. The basic panel that produces the 100 watts need a specific dimension with 16.5 lbs., where for the semi-flexible panel it only needs 4.86 lbs. Also, there is a cost difference between the basic panel and semi-flexible panel.

● Controller of the Charger

Using the solar panel on your van you must need to use a charger controller. Without this controller, you will not be able to keep safe your electronic devices or equipment on the van. This charger makes sure you can control the power of the van. If your solar panels are not connected to the charge controller, then your battery will be overcharged and it will damage the appliances on the van.

Normally, we choose the charger controllers through their ratings of amperage. When we set the solar panel on the van, it produces 6 amps per hour. So, if you need a 24 A+ charger controller, you need to use at least four solar panels in your van.

● Inverter

You will be needed an inverter on your van when you will use the home appliances in the van. Otherwise, you don’t need the inverter. But if you are planning to choose the inverter you need to calculate the watts. Because the inverter measured by the watts. And if you can calculate how much watts you will be needed to use, then it will be easy to choose the accurate inverter for your van.

For example, if you use a blender that needs 1800W then, you need to use a string inverter that produces that many watts. So, you need to calculate the number of watts on your van and what appliances you want to use, then choose the inverter.

● Battery

This is also another useful thing on the van. Three types of battery you will find for the power van. Those are -

• AGM Battery: This battery is the combination of glass mats. Instead of electrolytes material, you will get the glass mats around the battery.
• Gel Battery: This battery is a combination of silica gel and sulfuric acid. But, the problem with this battery is, it doesn’t provide good service in the high-heat.
• Lithium-Phosphate with Iron Battery: This battery is the combination of these three chemicals and provides longer service than AGM and Gel battery. For long time use, you can use this battery in your van.

So, these are all the basic solar products you need to use when you want to set up the solar panel on your van. After choosing the right products based on the criteria, now you can easily set up the solar panel on your van.

Final Word

Using a solar panel on your van has lots of benefits. Especially when you want to choose the solar panel for any traveling van, you need to determine how big will be your van is. Then you need to find out which place is the best to set up the solar panel.