130w Solar enough?

[Freshtrax]

Change of plan on the solar. My converter was going to fit my solar panel to the pop top, but when he saw the size and weight of it (Victron rigid 175w) he didn’t want to do it. Completely understand, said it was too heavy and worried it’d rip off at speed.

So back to the drawing board. Seen the Ecoworthy 130w flexible that I could mount to two wall for airflow and stick that down.
We’re only running a fridge, 12v lights and usb chargers at the moment. Might add diesel heater and water pump. Have a victron 75/15 mppt, victron dc dc and a lithium 105ah battery

 

[soldas]

130w is enough in summer, outside of that you can start to struggle. I'd go for a bit more based on the relatively small price increase. I had a cheapo 130w flexi and it was alright. Would maybe get 60-80w in good sunshine (I have it direct on a black poptop so about the worst application you can have) I've just switched out for a 200w Renogy flexi which was pulling in 160w today at times. You can while still cheap 100% tell the bump in quality of the panel.

I guess the point being you can never have enough solar right, if you're installing now. Spend the extra to go bigger and forget about it because your never be disappointed having too much but you could be disappointed not having enough.

 

[DXX]

It completely depends on the power consumption of the consumers and how you plan to use your van (how much driving B2B).
I’d go for the biggest semi-flexible Photonic Universe panel you can fit, 150W plus.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Change of plan on the solar. My converter was going to fit my solar panel to the pop top, but when he saw the size and weight of it (Victron rigid 175w) he didn’t want to do it. Completely understand, said it was too heavy and worried it’d rip off at speed.

So back to the drawing board. Seen the Ecoworthy 130w flexible that I could mount to two wall for airflow and stick that down.
We’re only running a fridge, 12v lights and usb chargers at the moment. Might add diesel heater and water pump. Have a victron 75/15 mppt, victron dc dc and a lithium 105ah battery

I wouldn't worry about the size and weight of a 175 rigid. I have the Victron 270 watt rigid on my poptop, the existing rams cope with the additional weight, I had all four corners bolted through the roof to be on the safe side. It replaced 2 failed semi flexible 180 PU panels and sits over the corpse of the last failure.
Used in conjunction with a victron 100/20 and 230 Ah lithium LB.
Quite a few on here with rigid panels over 300 watts, but I'm happy with the 270. Certainly won't go back to a flexi! 274watts max input on several occasions at bang on 20 amps.

 

[Freshtrax]

It’s the bolting in that was the issue. He said it would void the pop top warranty.

 

[PhillH]

Fix it between roof cross bars. That is what I am thinking of to avoid bonding to the pop top.

 

[Dellmassive]

150-250W is the sweet spot for most people.

below 150 will be lacking.

over 250 for the power users.


530w on mine - because i could.

Post in thread 'Dellmassive`s Camper Van Adventure'

8 Jun 2025

How big are you going?
I bought a 270W photovoltaic Universe panel with rear gland / cable entry, am now thinking I don't want to cut such a big hole in the pop top so will look for one with top cable connections.

finally got it sorted out.

im going as big as i can go - 530w in one panel.

its arrived (on two pallets lol - truck delivery)

hopefully it fits ok.


.





its definately big. . . .







but looks like it should fit on the roof fine...

• Dellmassive

• 
• 

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[doncarlyon]

How long do you go away for without EHU or driving the van at some point?

Do you even need solar?

 

[CAB]

How long do you go away for without EHU or driving the van at some point?

Do you even need solar?

Exactly.

Solar would be tricky on ours, so we specified a battery big enough to last several days between driving.

 

[DXX]

Exactly.

Solar would be tricky on ours, so we specified a battery big enough to last several days between driving.

Doing it that way is an option but it will be a substantial drive required as there is a limit on how much power the alternator can feed to the leisure battery.

 

[ginkster]

I have a 200w panel and it’s perfect for my use which is similar to your load (12v only, lights, fridge, diesel heater, USBs etc). In spring, summer, autumn it totally covers my needs without EHU or using the DC-DC. It is essentially everlasting. In winter it adds enough power to make a week off-grid easily possible (the 105ah lifepo4 battery does nearly 4 days without charging at all) if not longer. Clearly snow on the roof would stop it completely! 130w would not really be enough for my use.

 

[Bigsidavies]

I have my rigid bolted onto roof bars. It’s only 100w but panel size doesn’t matter-you just move the roof bars further apart to fit your specific panel.

 

[doncarlyon]

Doing it that way is an option but it will be a substantial drive required as there is a limit on how much power the alternator can feed to the leisure battery.

Mine doesn't take long at all.

It all depends on your needs, I am tempted to get a solar suitcase/blanket for the odd time I am away for more than 3 days and not on EHU. But that would be rare.

 

[Freshtrax]

I have my rigid bolted onto roof bars. It’s only 100w but panel size doesn’t matter-you just move the roof bars further apart to fit your specific panel.View attachment 299684

It’s got a pop top…

 

[Freshtrax]

I have a 200w panel and it’s perfect for my use which is similar to your load (12v only, lights, fridge, diesel heater, USBs etc). In spring, summer, autumn it totally covers my needs without EHU or using the DC-DC. It is essentially everlasting. In winter it adds enough power to make a week off-grid easily possible (the 105ah lifepo4 battery does nearly 4 days without charging at all) if not longer. Clearly snow on the roof would stop it completely! 130w would not really be enough for my use.

View attachment 299625

Looks neat. What panel is that please?

 

[ginkster]

Looks neat. What panel is that please?

Ta. It’s a Renogy 200w. There are better but it was good value, is efficient and has held up well so far. I mounted it on PPF so when/if it fails I can easily remove it to replace.

 

[ginkster]

Mine doesn't take long at all.

It all depends on your needs, I am tempted to get a solar suitcase/blanket for the odd time I am away for more than 3 days and not on EHU. But that would be rare.

What do you use that needs EHU? 240v stuff or just to keep the battery topped up? Solar plus lithium was a game changer for me. Super flexible, no need for hook-up or to run the engine to charge. It’s probably paid for itself already on cheaper site fees and there’s a much greater chance of availability if you don’t need hook-up. Clearly a different matter if you want/need 240v.

 

[doncarlyon]

Air fryer to make chicken dippers and chips

 

[ginkster]

Air fryer to make chicken dippers and chips

Fair enough. Don’t let Jamie Oliver hear that!! Or was he turkey twizlers??!

 

[Drive Wayne]

What do you use that needs EHU? 240v stuff or just to keep the battery topped up? Solar plus lithium was a game changer for me. Super flexible, no need for hook-up or to run the engine to charge. It’s probably paid for itself already on cheaper site fees and there’s a much greater chance of availability if you don’t need hook-up. Clearly a different matter if you want/need 240v.

With a demanding better half, homes creature comforts are a necessity! Inductia knob, hair dryer, straighteners, toaster. For me coffee machine, flagpole lights, more pretty lights in the van, lights under the poptop, 2x compressor fridges and many usb things. Certainly not camping as it should be, but makes us both happy!