Solar Panels for Trailers

Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular choice for powering all sorts of mobile homes like trailers and caravans. Navigating the options available for trailer solar panels can seem daunting, so our guide will cover all the most important things you need to know about solar panels for trailers.

What are trailer solar panels?

Solar panels for trailers allow you to generate free, renewable energy from the sun to power devices and appliances in your mobile home. These panels connect to a charge controller and a battery system which means that you can run electrical appliances while entirely off-grid in these leisure vehicles.

They come in many different forms for different needs. Solar panels vary in wattage and power output, so they can meet lower energy demands for powering things like lights without taking power from your main leisure battery. They can also come in a higher wattage for greater energy requirements in the case of longer off-grid ventures or for appliances with more intensive power demands, like fridges and TVs.

Some solar panels have a rigid frame and require installation, others are flexible and even portable.

Do I need solar panels for my trailer?

Solar panels offer a lot of obvious benefits. At the same time, your individual needs will determine whether you really need trailer solar panels. Even for the lowest energy needs, solar panels still have a lot of benefits. They can also be used to power everything from the lights to fridges and TVs for longer trips and greater self-sufficiency. 

Solar panels for trailers remove the need to connect to the 230V hook-up on campsites and give you the freedom to roam and camp wherever you want while still having power for your trailer. You can be entirely self-sufficient and it can even keep your vehicle battery topped up. If this sounds like it would make your camping life easier, then you should certainly consider trailer solar panels.

Which solar panels are suitable for a trailer?

Solar panels come in many forms, and deciding which solar panels you need will depend on your trailer size and your energy requirements. There are two main types of solar panels: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient and tend to last longer. 

Trailer solar panels can also be fixed or portable, rigid or flexible. This is a question of the physical space on your trailer. If you have limited room on your roof for a solar panel to be installed permanently, then portable panels can be used as and when needed and tucked away when you’re on the move. If your trailer does not have a flat roof, semi-flexible panels are usually an easier option.

Our Most Popular Trailer Solar Panels

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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

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100w 12v Solar Vehicle Kit Duo

£207.16 – £241.29Price range: £207.16 through £241.29 including v.a.t.

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What are the best solar panels for trailers?

The best trailer solar panel is different for every person and every trailer. The differences depend both on the physical trailer itself and on your actual needs. The simplest solutions tend to be the most common. For a typical, flat-roofed trailer, a fixed, rigid solar panel will fit to your roof and soak up energy from the sun whenever it’s available. If you are looking to regularly use your trailer off-grid, especially for longer periods of time, then this is certainly the most convenient solution.

If, on the other hand, the roof of your trailer is curved or otherwise irregular, or if there’s limited space for a new permanent fixture, you can opt for semi-flexible solar panels in this case—these are also detachable. 

The other question to consider when deciding on the best solar panels for trailers is your power usage. Solar panels have different wattages that express the power output they provide, with higher wattages capable of producing a greater amount of electrical power. Each appliance in your trailer will have a certain wattage requirement. You can calculate the wattage requirement by adding up the running watts of all your appliances, plus the highest starting wattage needs. This will determine how many watts you need out of a solar panel – you’ll want to choose a solar panel with a higher wattage than your total energy requirements. 

For instance, if you need 100 watts to power all your appliances, a 120w panel would suit well.

Don’t forget that you’ll generate a lot more energy on a bright summer’s day than a cloudy, winter day. Solar technology is incredibly effective for powering trailers, but you do still need the sun to come out in the first place and you must factor this in!

How to install trailer solar panels

Installation of the panels is the next question, but fortunately, it’s a lot simpler than you might think. The exact installation process will vary depending on the kind of panel, whether rigid or flexible, but our caravan solar panel installation guide gives a good overview of what’s involved. The solar panel kits from Sunstore Solar come with everything that’s needed to fit the solar panel to the roof of your trailer.

Start by cleaning the roof, making sure the surface is entirely clear for installation. Next, find the place on the roof you want to mount the panel, making sure it’s in a position that gets the most sunlight possible.

For fixed rigid frame solar panels, you’ll need to drill holes into the roof for the mounting brackets and cables. Measure carefully and mark the positions for drill holes before attaching the mounting brackets on the panel and securing it to the roof.

It’s then a case of wiring up the system on the inside. Thread the cable through into your trailer, and install the charge controller—this stops the battery from overloading. The charge controller will then connect to a battery. Finally, connect the panel to the controller, and then connect the controller to the electrical circuit.

Flexible panels work in a similar way, except that you don’t need to drill holes and can typically just be fitted with adhesive.

Conclusion

Trailer solar panels are designed to help meet the power requirements for camping off-grid. There are lots of options to choose from, but you can always use the form below or contact Sunstore Solar for expert advice on which solar panels are best for you and how to fit them.