Being so reliant on the sun’s UV rays isn’t as bad as people think despite them being radioactive as they also provide us with vitamin D and help plants create oxygen and energy. The sun has been and still is worshipped by many people, maybe not in the same way, as this giant ball of fire can also help power our homes and vehicles.
Solar power is one of the leading solutions that will power our future. Solar-powered homes are not quite possible, and although expensive, as a long-term investment, they are the most efficient and cleanest way to have a comfortable life even when on the road. This is where smaller 12V panels are used.
Benefits of 12V Solar Panels
Affordable
When it comes to covering up the roof of your caravan with solar panels, 12V panels are the way to go. The most important reason why that’s the case is because of its price tag which compared to regular household panels is minuscule. A fixed solar panel at 12V is able to satisfy your energy consumption when exploring nature and the vast landscapes of our country without costing you a fortune.
Efficient
Although it’s only 12 volts, such panels are quite efficient. How so? Well, that’s because the power needs of a motorhome are not the same as those of an actual home. This coupled with their 12V rating makes these solar panels the most adequate solution you can get to power your home on the go.
Simple
The technology 12V fixed solar panels use. May be similar to that of 24-volt solar panels but its inner workings are a lot simpler. This involves less maintenance and a more straightforward repair process in case of any issues. 12V fixed solar panels are also more compatible with smaller off-grid systems such as that in your caravan as they can accommodate added equipment as well as both step-down and step-up converters.
Availability
A fixed solar panel rated at 12V can be found everywhere. That’s because small-scale applications are found everywhere too which also means that it’s easier to find any replacement parts should you need any further down the line.
Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Panels
Fixed 12V solar panels come either as mono or polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are the more expensive solution but they are also more energy efficient especially when you have a small space to work with. Polycrystalline fixed 12V solar panels are more affordable and less energy efficient but they are also blue and not dark in colour. That’s how you’ll be able to tell the difference once you have them side by side.
Important Factors
Energy Consumption
One of the most important factors to consider with12V fixed solar panels, if not the most important one, is your caravan’s daily energy consumption. How do you do that – you may ask? This starts by noting down the number of hours you use each appliance and device in your caravan. Then, take the number of watts per hour each appliance and device use and multiply it by the number of hours you use said appliance/ device.
This is done separately and when you get the total power consumption of each and everyone, you then add it up to get the total power consumption of your caravan for an average day. When you have that number written down, make sure to look for a panel that has a slightly higher rating than what your caravan consumes for the day.
Inverter
There are two components that make up a portable PV system and one of them is the inverter. Like fixed 12V solar panels, there are different types of inverters and each is suitable for a certain application.
For instance, a central or string inverter works best with a simple roof design and minimal to no shading.
If you tend to park under a shade more often than not then you should consider microinverters but keep in mind they are quite an expensive and maintenance-heavy solution.
Optimised string inverters are the best since they offer a balance between cost and performance. They are suitable when there is some shading and are not complicated to maintain either.
Battery
The battery of a solar system does the same thing as the battery in your caravan or phone. It helps keep an available charge for later use. A larger solar battery is always a better choice than a smaller one but remember that larger means not only bulkier but also more demanding in terms of price.
The best you can do with a solar battery is go for one that has a big enough capacity to store power for one week without getting power from the panels or any other source. This way you won’t spend a fortune or have a bulky battery and still satisfy your daily energy needs for quite some time.
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