Motorhome Solar Panel Installation Guide

Motorhomes are an expression of freedom, or at least they are when you have enough battery power!

If you run appliances like a television or refrigerator, you rely on your leisure battery or an electricity hook-up to provide enough power to them – and a battery can only last for so long. 

That’s where solar panels come in handy.

Motorhome solar panel installations mean you can generate your own energy during daylight hours to recharge your leisure battery and store surplus electricity for later use.

No more having to keep the engine running or select the more expensive pitches that provide mains power.

You’ll have complete freedom to travel in your motorhome wherever you like, whenever you like.

Fitting solar panels to motorhomes isn’t as difficult as you might think either. With the right kit and basic power tools, you could complete the installation in an afternoon!

Why should I get a solar panel for my motorhome?

The motorhome offers true independence. It’s a second home on wheels (or first, for some) and allows you to explore and take a break anytime, without the need for crowded airports or expensive hotels. 

Home comforts like refrigerators, televisions, lighting, hairdryers and irons all require power, usually provided by your leisure battery.

But what happens when the charge gets low? You need to run your engine or connect to external power. Neither are what you would call convenient.

Install solar panels to your motorhome and you can generate your own free, renewable energy to keep things going.

Why fit solar panels to a motorhome?

• Recharge your leisure battery 
• No more need to select pitches with electricity hook-ups
• Go off-grid anywhere, at any time
• Travel or live remotely without the worry of power
• Produce your own green energy throughout daylight hours
• Be more eco-friendly and reduce your carbon footprint
• Keep your battery charged when in storage 

Those are just some of the benefits of fitting a solar panel to a motorhome. We’re sure you can think of more!

How much does it cost to fit solar panels to a motorhome?

The cost of fitting a solar panel to a motorhome depends on the size of panel(s) you want to use.

For example, a 10w solar panel kit costs from as little as £64, whereas our slightly larger, most popular 120w solar panel kit can cost around £250.

Prices of motorhome solar panel installation depends on whether you buy a freestanding panel, roof mounted panel and the type of components you use.

Each kit includes everything you need to generate and use renewable energy for your motorhome.

• Solar panel(s)
• Charge controller
• Fixings and wiring
• Full installation instructions including wiring diagram

Sunstore Solar has created a number of motorhome solar panel installation kits at a range of price points so everyone can benefit from solar energy while on the move.

All products are certified and come with long warranties, 30-day money back guarantee and our expert technical support that’s readily available by phone or email.

Our Most Popular Motorhome Solar Panel Kits

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150w 12v Vehicle Kit Duo

£323.44 – £357.57Price range: £323.44 through £357.57 including v.a.t.

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140w 12v Solar Battery Charger Vehicle Kit Deluxe

£322.10 Original price was: £322.10.£289.89Current price is: £289.89. including v.a.t.

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140w 12v MPPT Solar Battery Charger Vehicle Kit

£301.28 – £313.81Price range: £301.28 through £313.81 including v.a.t.

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Motorhome Solar Panel Installation

Now we come to the practical part of the guide, the installation.

Fitting a solar panel to a motorhome is a relatively straightforward process. If you are comfortable using power tools and can follow a wiring diagram, you should be able to install your own solar power system without a problem.

Each kit works slightly differently, but as a rule, installation works as follows:

Before fitting solar panels to a motorhome…

Before you order your solar panel kit, you’ll want to know what size to buy. The more appliances you use, the more wattage you’ll need to keep your leisure battery charged.

Add up the wattage requirements of all electrical appliances in your vehicle to come up with a total wattage figure. You’ll need slightly more than that total to power everything you need.

For example, if your wattage demand is 45w, a 50w system would work best to keep the battery charged.

Our most popular motorhome solar panel kit is the 120w MPPT kit which is suitable for larger vehicles with heavy use such as fridges, satellite and televisions. An 80w solar panel kit is adequate for most applications in the summer months but the 120w brings extra reliability.

If in doubt, check out our Motorhome FAQs or contact the team here at Sunstore Solar and we can help you assess your needs.

Fitting a solar panel to a motorhome

Once you have your solar panel kit and are ready to install, it’s time to get to work!

You can skip this first part if you’re using a free standing solar panel.

Your first job is to fix the mount to the solar panel. This may require drilling screw holes but is otherwise very straightforward.

Some mounts fit into each corner while others run the entire width of the panel. If the mount needs to be drilled, it will have holes marked where you need to drill.

If the mount needs to be bonded, there is no need to drill. Just make sure the roof is thoroughly cleaned to help ensure a strong bond.

Position the panel on the roof of your motorhome and mark where you need to drill any holes. Double check inside the roof to make sure there is no cabling or any fixtures in the way.

Drill into the roof where marked, including the wiring hole. Treat the hole with automotive paint for maximum protection, although this bit is optional.

Feed the cable through the hole and bond the special cable cover to the roof of your motorhome to keep the rain out.

If your panel mount needs to be bonded into place, apply generously to the bottom of the mount and set it into position.

Prepare the wires for connection to the solar panel but don’t fit the connectors just yet. Remember to turn off your motorhome’s electricity supply and take all necessary safety precautions. When connecting multiple solar panels, connect them in a series or parallel connection. 

Install the charge controller somewhere in your motorhome that’s easily accessible and close to your leisure battery (ideally within 1 metre) to keep cabling as short as possible. The inverter should be mounted near the main panel wall where it has good ventilation and won’t get wet.

Connect the battery bank to the charge controller and inverter, then connect to the solar panels. Make sure there are fuses fixed as directed by the instructions.

Check all cabling and connections to make sure it’s all exactly as the instructions describe, then test your system to check that everything works. If it does, you’re good to go!

If you need a little help or are confused about your wiring, contact Sunstore Solar and one of our team will be able to help.

Best solar panel kits for motorhomes

The best solar panel kit for your motorhome is the one that generates sufficient energy for your needs and requires the least maintenance.

All kits from Sunstore Solar use the most efficient panels, reliable EP or Victron charge controllers and the same quality cabling and fixings we use on all our own professional solar panel installations.

Solar panel kits for motorhomes include capacities from 10w all the way to 400w. Our most popular kit is the 120w MPPT kit as it is a good size and offers sufficient power to run most applications at a fair price.

Motorhome solar panel installation FAQs

Can I charge my leisure battery and engine battery with solar panels?

Yes, you can charge your leisure battery and engine starter battery with solar panels. Many charge controllers can charge more than one battery and set charge bias between them.

How many solar panels does it take to run a motorhome?

The number of solar panels it takes to run a motorhome depends on how many appliances you have and how much energy you need. That’s why assessing your energy requirements is one of the first tasks when planning a motorhome solar panel installation.

Can you run a fridge with a solar panel?

Yes, you can run a fridge with a solar panel. You won’t be able to connect the two directly, but your motorhome’s solar panels can charge your leisure battery which can feed into an inverter to convert the generated DC power into compatible AC power to run appliances like a fridge. 

Make sure you choose a suitable solar panel that meets the energy requirements of your refrigerator, as these appliances typically demand a lot of power.

How do I maintain my motorhome solar panels?

You maintain your motorhome solar panels by keeping them clean. We also recommend regularly checking the bonding on the roof, ensuring the connections are tight and the charge controller is free of dust and debris. That’s all the maintenance it needs!

Can I add another solar panel to my motorhome?

Yes, you can add another solar panel to your motorhome. If you have the roof space, you can roof mount any number of panels, but make sure they’re all compatible with each other. You’ll need to connect multiple panels in a series or parallel connection. You can also use freestanding panels if you don’t have enough room on top.

Solar panels for motorhomes

Motorhome solar panel installation is relatively straightforward and requires minimal skill or experience. It’s an accessible DIY project that could change the way you use your motorhome and we cannot recommend it enough!

Remember, if you buy your solar panel kit from Sunstore Solar, we’re only ever a phone call away if you need help. It’s all part of the service.