Independent power for your caravan, motorhome or camper allows you to leave the mains power at a caravan park and enjoy serene and remote locations like national parks, private and free camp sites. Solar panels are a perfect choice to keep your batteries charged while you are independently camping away from power. Solar panels offer you silent, zero-emission and free energy from the sun – perfect for that serene location where a car engine or generator would be an intrusion. In recent years the prices of solar panels have dropped dramatically, panels are getting smaller with higher outputs and they have longer warranties. Go technology!

How does that magical sunshine power your fridge? Solar panels work by topping up the charge on your batteries which power your 12 volt caravan system. Your batteries power your 12 volt caravan lights and appliances and an inverter will allow you to power your 240 volt appliances as well.  There are two types of solar panels – portable which you can move around to chase the sun and mounted panels which are fixed neatly to the roof of your caravan, camper or motorhome.

So, will solar panels run my washing machine and hair dryer and how long can we stay away from mains power? The answer is yes and yes and indefinitely with adequate solar panels.  Energy from solar panels will replenish the power used by your batteries to operate appliances including hot water, fridge, microwave and television.

Will solar panels run my air-conditioner all night? The answer, unfortunately, is no. The right sized solar panel system will power all of your appliances with the one exception of your air-conditioner. Solar alone will not provide enough power to run your air-conditioner for long periods. Sizing a solar panel system correctly to meet your energy needs requires a number of calculations. We have developed a piece of software that allow us to provide you with a power “perfect-match”.

Talk to us at the RV Service Centre to get your free solar power profile to start enjoying free power from the sun and the freedom of independence. Basic solar panel systems from $1195 fitted to your roof including a regulator.