Owner guides
Best solar panels motorhome: complete type guide
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Solar panels are one of the few ways you can charge your motorhome's batteries whilst holidaying. They are a clean, affordable and hassle-free way to harvest energy as your motorhome sits in the sun all day. But what is the best type of solar panel for a motorhome?
Before you go and spend hundreds of dollars on the latest technology, it is important to first consider your needs and the most effective and affordable solar system for your motorhome.
This article will explain the different types of solar panels that motorhome owners use in New Zealand and help you to identify which is best for your energy and travel requirements.
Safety Disclaimer: We are not electricians or builders. Working with electricity and your motorhome is a safety hazard so you need to do your research, double (and triple) checking that the below information is correct and safe to apply to your build. Before you begin, always discuss your plans with a certified electrician, who must also assess and approve the finished work.
Best types of solar panel for a motorhome
Rigid vs flexible solar panels for a motorhome
Rigid solar panels
Rigid solar panels are mounted inside an aluminium frame and protected under tempered glass. They are the most common type of panel used on motorhome and campervan solar systems.
Installing a rigid panel is relatively easy, although it will require you to drill into the roof of your motorhome so that the panel can be bolted in place. If you install the panel on a tilt mount, this will allow you to manually tilt the panel whilst camping so that it is directly facing the sun.
Rigid panels are generally more durable than flexible solar panels and normally come with long warranties. They are designed to be left outside in the elements for years and the scratch-resistant glass helps them to retain efficiency for longer.
You can find rigid panels in all sorts of sizes, many of which are tailored to use on motorhomes. When compared to flexible solar panels, rigid panels also tend to be cheaper per watt.
Best for:
Rigid solar panels are best for motorhome owners who want an affordable, durable and efficient solar set-up that can be manually adjusted to face the sun.
Where to buy rigid solar panels in New Zealand:
Flexible solar panels
Flexible solar panels are flat cells that are covered in a layer of protective plastic. They are very thin and don’t have a frame, meaning that they can bend and contour to your motorhome's roof.
Flexible panels are often considered the easiest type of solar panel to install. Instead of drilling into the roof of your motorhome, flexible solar panels can be glued on or stuck onto the surface in a matter of minutes. Just be careful not to bend the panel too much, as this may cause internal damage to the connections.
The low profile of flexible solar panels makes them more aerodynamic and visually discreet than rigid panels (particularly important if you’re thinking about how to decorate a motorhome). They also tend to be lighter than rigid panels and won’t make your motorhome top-heavy.
However, the protective plastic on flexible panels tends to be more prone to damage and scratches than the tempered glass on rigid panels. Because of this, flexible panels tend to have shorter lifespans and warranties.
You may have to park and maneuver your motorhome in certain ways so that the flexible panels are aiming towards the sun. This is more difficult than rigid panels, which can be quickly adjusted by hand to better face the sun.
Best for:
Flexible solar panels are best for motorhome owners who want a solar system that is easy to install and visually unobtrusive.
Where to buy flexible solar panels in New Zealand:
Jaycar
Repco
Fixed vs portable solar panels
Fixed solar panels
A fixed solar panel is any panel that is fitted permanently to the roof of your motorhome. Most motorhomes and campers have at least one fixed solar panel on the roof.
Fixed panels save you the hassle of setting up a portable panel at each campsite. They also harvest energy as long as the sun is out, whilst portable panels only work when they are set up. Because of this, fixed panels are much better suited to people who use a lot of electricity in their motorhome and need to constantly charge the batteries during the day.
If you install fixed panels to lay flat on your roof, you may find that they do not receive great sunlight in the morning or afternoon. To fix this, you can install tilt mounts, which allow you to adjust the angle of the panel by hand so that it is aiming directly towards the sun.
When installing fixed rigid solar panels on the roof of your motorhome, it is best to try and leave a gap between the panel and the roof. This will allow airflow to cool the panels for optimum performance. One way that some people do this is by attaching plywood strips to the top of the roof, upon which you can then screw in your panels.
While installing a fixed solar panel is a bit of a hassle at first, they are much harder to steal than portable panels. However, note that a fixed panel will raise the height of your motorhome and may affect the light coming through your skylight or sunroof.
Best for:
Fixed solar panels are often considered the best type of solar panel for motorhome owners who use a lot of energy and want a permanent solution mounted on their roof.
Where to buy fixed panels in New Zealand:
See “Rigid solar panels” above.
Portable solar panels
Portable solar panels often come in the form of a fold-out briefcase or blanket. They may be a good choice for people who don’t use a lot of energy and instead just want a quick and easy way to charge devices whilst on the go. Others may use a portable panel as a temporary extension of their fixed solar system.
Portable solar panels can be set up wherever you like in a matter of seconds. This makes it easy to position them in an area where they’ll get the most direct sunlight.
Be aware that you will have to pack up portable solar panels and store them somewhere inside your motorhome, which takes up precious space.
Best for:
Portable solar panels are best for motorhome owners who only use a little bit of energy to charge electronic devices (e.g. laptops) and do not want to invest the time or money in installing fixed solar panels.
Where to buy portable solar panels in New Zealand:
RVMega (folding panels and blankets)
Jaycar (folding panels and blankets)
The Battery Cell (folding panels and blankets)
RVWorld Store (folding panels)
Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels
The solar cells in most panels are made of monocrystalline or polycrystalline.
Monocrystalline panels are more efficient and therefore smaller in size. But whilst they save space, monocrystalline panels tend to cost more.
Polycrystalline panels are less efficient and therefore larger. However, they tend to be cheaper.
Both types of panels are similar in terms of durability.
As such, your main concern when choosing between monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels is the size of the panel and how well that fits on the roof of your motorhome (rather than the efficiency of the solar cells).
To get an idea for sizing, take a look at the best motorhomes to buy and compare the solar panels they use.
Choosing a size of solar panel
The higher the wattage of a solar panel, the larger it is in size and the more it will cost. As such, you must find a solar panel that is powerful enough for your energy needs, small enough for the roof of your motorhome and comfortably within your budget.
Start by calculating your motorhome’s total power consumption in watt-hours (Wh). Check the number of watts (W) each appliance uses and multiply this figure by the number of hours (h) you expect to use it each day.
Add up each appliance’s watt-hours and you’ve got your motorhome’s daily power consumption.
Now calculate how many solar panels you’ll need. Divide your motorhome's total power consumption by the standard hours of proper sunlight per day (about six).
Once you have calculated your solar panel wattage, round the figure up by roughly 20% to avoid running short on overcast days.
Earn a return on your motorhome’s solar panels
Now that you’ve figured out the best type of solar panel for your motorhome, you’re all set to hit the road and experience some freedom camping!
But what about when your road trip comes to an end and your motorhome is sitting idly in the driveway? Why not earn a return on your investment by renting it out? Holidaymakers love motorhome rentals that include a solar panel set-up!
Why Camplify?
Each year, many Kiwis earn up to $10,000 by hiring out their campervan through Camplify. By doing so, they quickly generate a long-term passive income stream. And the best part is, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle, including:
Comprehensive hire insurance.
24/7 nationwide AA Roadside breakdown cover for hirers.
Dedicated customer support.
If you’re interested in earning a return on your investment, you can calculate how much income you could generate each year by using our earnings calculator.