Light & low-profile
Flexible Panels
Lightweight, tidy and great for curved roofs or tight spaces. A simple way to get started with solar.
Why it matters: No drilling for frames, almost no added weight and no extra wind noise on the motorway.
Solar panel fitting instructions and parts list for campervans and motorhomes
SOLAR
Off-Grid Freedom
Every sunny hour is free power in the bank. Solar quietly tops up your battery while you're out exploring, so you can stay longer, pitch further from the hook-up queue and stop worrying about flat batteries.
A simple solar setup keeps your essentials running, cuts campsite costs and makes every trip feel more independent.
Whether you're fitting a permanent system to a van or motorhome, or just want portable power for a tent, this guide covers what to buy, how it fits together and the safety kit that's easy to forget.
Free Power
Ideal for vans, motorhomes, tent campers and anyone who wants a more flexible setup.
Once it's fitted there's nothing to pay and almost nothing to maintain. Panels are silent, they have no moving parts and they carry on working for decades. Read on for fitting guides and the parts you need to go off-grid.
How A Solar System Fits Together
Four building blocks, in this order. Get these right and everything else is just cable.
1. Panels
Turn sunlight into power. Rigid panels for flat roofs, flexible panels for curves and light weight.
2. Charge Controller
Sits between the panels and battery, charging it safely and squeezing out every useful watt.
3. Battery
Stores the power for evenings and cloudy days. Lithium LiFePO4 gives you the most usable energy.
4. Inverter & 12V
Run 12V kit directly, and use an inverter for mains appliances like laptops and hairdryers.
Permanent Fitted Solar Systems
Ideal for vans and motorhomes that want reliable off-grid power every day. This video walks you through a complete DIY fit, from panel to battery.
The Main Parts
These are the core components we'd choose for a fitted system: proven, good value and easy to work with.
Light & low-profile
Built to last
Rigid Panels
Tougher and longer-lasting, with strong charging performance for longer stays.
Why it matters: The air gap underneath keeps them cool, and cool panels produce more power, especially in summer.
The brain of it
Charge Controllers
A good MPPT controller pulls more useful power from every bit of sunlight and protects your battery.
Why it matters: It's the brain of the system. If a panel arrives with a free basic controller, swap it for one of these: cheap ones waste power and can damage batteries.
Home comforts
Inverters
Use familiar mains appliances when you're away. Pure sine wave models give smoother, safer power.
Why it matters: Sensitive electronics, laptop chargers and kitchen gadgets all run happily on pure sine wave, and many won't run properly on cheaper modified-wave units.
Never skip these
Safety Essentials
Breakers, isolators and fire protection: not the flashy part of a build, but some of the smartest buys.
Why it matters: High-current DC can start a fire in seconds. These keep your system safer and easier to work on.
Fitting Kit & Upgrades
The small parts that make the difference between a tidy, watertight install and a leaky roof.
Corner Mounting Brackets
Lightweight ABS corner brackets bond to the roof and hold a rigid panel firmly in place.
Why it matters: Bond the brackets and add a few self-tapping screws for belt-and-braces peace of mind. You need one kit per panel.
Roof Adhesive Sealant
A proper marine-grade bonding sealant for brackets, cable glands and flexible panels.
Why it matters: Allow about two tubes per panel. Cheap sealant is cheap for a reason, and this is what keeps water out of your pride and joy.
Roof Cable Entry Gland
A weatherproof housing that takes the panel cables neatly through the roof.
Why it matters: This is the one place most leaks start. A proper gland keeps the water out.
MC4 Connectors & Cable
Solar extension cable and MC4 connectors to get from the panels to your controller.
Why it matters: UV-resistant solar cable lasts outdoors, and the right thickness cuts the power lost along the way.
Bluetooth MPPT Controller
Upgrade to a Bluetooth MPPT controller and watch your solar harvest live on your phone.
Why it matters: You can see exactly what your panels are producing and spot a fault before it flattens your battery.
DC-DC Charger
Charges your leisure battery from the engine whenever you drive.
Why it matters: Solar and driving together keep you topped up all year, even through a grey British week.
How Much Solar Do You Need?
A rough guide to what a well-angled panel can put back into your battery on a good UK day. Flat-mounted panels, cloud and short winter days will give less.
100WAbout 20-30Ah on a sunny summer day
200WAbout 40-60Ah, enough for a 12V fridge
400WAbout 80-120Ah, for full-time vanlife
WinterExpect a fraction of the summer figure
Rule of thumb: fit as much panel as your roof can take. Panels are cheap compared to the freedom they give you, and extra watts help most on cloudy days. Pair it with the right battery using our battery guide.
MOBILE
Tent & Portable Solar
Perfect for tent campers and anyone who wants portable power without fitting a full system.
Charge phones, run fairy lights, keep a cool box going or power a CPAP overnight. Portable kit packs into the car and comes home with you, ready for the next trip.
Portable Power Picks
Pocket-sized
Power Banks
The simplest way to keep phones, tablets and small gadgets going, with backup power you can carry anywhere.
Why it matters: Small, affordable and handy. Nobody wants a dead phone when they're trying to find their tent at night.
Step up
Power Stations
A brilliant step up: charge several devices from one place and run small appliances at camp.
Why it matters: Serious usefulness without fitting a permanent system. It charges at home, in the car or from solar.
Complete kit
Solar Power Station Kit
A complete off-grid setup straight out of the box, with solar panels included and stronger output.
Why it matters: Top it up from the sun all week and you won't have to queue at a charging point once.
Portable Extras
Small add-ons that make tent life brighter and easier.
Folding Solar Panel
A folding panel or solar suitcase to recharge your power station at camp.
Why it matters: Point it at the sun and move it as the day goes on. It often gathers more than a fixed roof panel.
Solar Festoon Lights
Solar fairy and festoon lights that charge by day and glow all evening.
Why it matters: They help you find your pitch in the dark and make every evening feel like a festival.
Rechargeable Lantern
A USB or solar-rechargeable lantern for inside the tent.
Why it matters: It's a safe, bright and battery-free alternative to gas lanterns or candles in a tent.
More Off-Grid Guides
Power, heat and cooling: everything that lets you camp anywhere, in any season.
Coming Events
We have 5 fabulous events throughout the school holidays every year.
Come along for the weekend, or enjoy the whole event.
It's up to you.
1st - 11th April
HAMPSHIRE
28th May - 6th June
STAFFS LAKES
25th July - 1st August
COTSWOLDS
8th - 15th August
NORTH WALES
23rd - 29th August
LINCS LAKES
Hope This Helps
We hope this guide helps you plan a setup that works for you. The products shown are examples of the kind of kit we'd look at. We're part of the Amazon affiliate scheme, so a small commission may go to Wild Festivals from purchases made through this page.
Got a question, or a tip that would help other campers? Send it to us and we'll add it to the guide.
As an Amazon Associate, Wild Festivals earns from qualifying purchases. Links on this page may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep our festivals affordable. Prices and availability change, so always check the listing.