Best solar panel kits for motorhomes: complete guide

Solar panel kits are a clean, cost-effective and hassle-free way to harvest energy whilst travelling around in your motorhome. Particularly given the power of the sun in Australia. But many people are unsure about which is the best solar panel kit for a motorhome?

Making our shortlist of the best solar panel kits for motorhomes in 2022 are:

1. Best rigid solar panel kit - Victron Energy 900W Motorhome Complete Solar Kit

2. Runner up rigid solar panel kit - Renogy Rigid Solar Panel Premium Kit

3. Best flexible solar panel kit - Adventure Kings 160W Semi-Flexible Solar Panel Kit

4. Runner up flexible solar panel kit - Renogy Flexible Solar Panel Premium Kit

5. Best portable solar panel kit - Renogy 200W Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

After introducing the best solar panel kits for motorhomes, this article will also explain the advantages and disadvantages of different types of solar panels and help you calculate your power needs.

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 checking that the below information is correct and safe to apply to your build. Before you begin, please discuss your plans with a certified electrician.

5 best solar panel kits for a motorhome

Best rigid solar panel kits for motorhomes

1. Victron Energy 900W Caravan and Motorhome Complete Solar Kit

The complete motorhome solar kit from Victron Energy is a premium product that includes everything you need to power a motorhome with high off-grid consumption (i.e. fridge, TV, lights, laptop charging and occasional appliance usage such as microwaves and kettles).

What makes this 900W kit better than most is its high-quality inverter charger and 2x 200Ah deep cycle batteries (not normally included in solar panel kits). It also comes with a generous 5-year replacement or repair warranty, pre-configured systems for easy installation and superb after-sales support.

However, the premium quality of the product and service comes with a higher price tag.

2. Renogy Rigid Solar Panel Premium Kit

If you’re after a rigid solar panel kit for your motorhome that is high-quality but affordable , try the premium solar panel kit from Renogy. The kit is available in 6 different power options (100 - 800W), so you can choose the right kit for your power needs.

The rigid framed panels included in the kit are lightweight and won’t add a tonne of weight to your motorhome. At the same time, they’re made of monocrystalline solar cells which tend to be more efficient than polycrystalline alternatives. The kit also includes a charge controller and Bluetooth module for monitoring power levels from your smartphone.

However, whilst this kit is affordable, it doesn’t include an inverter or deep cycle batteries that come standard with other premium kits on the market. Once you account for the extra cost of an inverter and batteries, kit prices become more comparable.

Best flexible solar panel kits for motorhomes

1. Adventure Kings 160W Semi-Flexible Solar Panel Kit

The Adventure Kings 160W flexible solar panel kit is efficient, durable, easy to install and highly affordable. It’s the perfect solution for motorhome owners who want a 12 V solar kit that’s low profile and flexes to fit curved or uneven surfaces.

This kit uses Grade A monocrystalline cells , making them some of the most efficient flexible panels on the market. Plus, they have inbuilt bypass diodes , so that the system still works at maximum efficiency even if one cell is dirty or shaded.

Not to mention, the kit also includes a 115AH deep cycle battery that is ideal for running your motorhome appliances for days at a time whilst off-grid. And you also get a portable battery box that allows you to power or charge appliances directly from your battery.

2. Renogy Flexible Solar Panel Premium Kit

For only an extra $100, you can replace the rigid panels in the Renogy Premium Solar Panel Kit (mentioned above) with flexible panels. Again, this kit is available in 6 different options (100 - 800W), so you can choose the right kit for your power consumption needs.

However, remember, whilst this kit is affordable, it doesn’t include an inverter or deep cycle battery that sometimes come standard with more expensive flexible solar panel kits on the market.

Best portable solar panel kit for motorhomes

1. Renogy 200W Monocrystalline Foldable Solar Suitcase

If you’re looking for a portable solar kit that you can temporarily set up on top of or next to your motorhome, the Renogy 200W Solar Suitcase is a great option. It includes 2x 100W monocrystalline solar panels inside of a protective soft case, with an adjustable aluminium stand, latches and a heavy-duty handle - making the whole setup durable and reliable.

In addition to the panels, it comes with one 15 inch set of wires with MC4 connectors that make for a quick and easy setup. Plus, you receive a 20A charge controller with an LCD display , making it easy to view information about charging current, generated energy, temperature, battery voltage and error codes - even on the brightest of days.

However, be aware that this kit does not include a battery , which will have to be purchased separately.

Which type of solar panel kit is best for your motorhome?

Fixed rigid solar panel kits

Rigid solar panels are mounted inside an aluminium frame and protected under tempered glass. They are permanently fixed to the roof of the vehicle and are the most common type of panel used in motorhome solar kits.

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 can directly face the sun.

Fixed rigid panels save you the hassle of setting up a portable panel at each campsite. Because of this, they 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. Fixed panels are also much harder to steal than portable panels. However, note that a fixed rigid panel will raise the height of your motorhome and may affect the light coming through your skylight or sunroof.

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 more affordable 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. The fact they are fixed to the roof makes them preferable for people who want a permanent solution mounted on their motorhome.

Flexible solar panel kits

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 aesthetics and other motorhome interior ideas). 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 manoeuvre your motorhome in certain ways so that the flexible panels are aiming towards the sun. This is more difficult than rigid panels on a tile mount, which can be quickly adjusted by hand to better face the sun.

Best for:

These are the best solar panel kits for motorhome owners who want a solar system that is easy to install and visually unobtrusive.

Portable solar panel kits

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.

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 generally less efficient and therefore larger. However, they tend to be more affordable.

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).

Choosing the right size 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

Now that you’ve figured out the best solar panel kits for a motorhome, you’re all set to hit the road and experience some off-grid 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, which can power off-grid adventures!

Why Camplify?

Each year, heaps of Aussies earn up to $10,000 by hiring out their motorhome through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment.

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 NRMA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers.

• Dedicated customer support.

If you’re interested in joining Camplify as an owner, try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year by renting out your unused motorhome!