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Off-Grid Power: Choosing the Right Solar Panels and Battery Setup for Your UK Caravan

Posted on by Sara Da Silva
09
Dec

The dream of true caravanning freedom usually comes down to one thing: power. Relying only on campsite hook-up limits your touring options. Moving off-grid—even for a couple of nights—requires a robust, reliable power system.

Here is our expert guide on the three key components of an off-grid setup, ensuring you choose the right system for the variable UK weather and your touring style, featuring solutions provided by our partners.

🎙️ PARTNER PERSPECTIVE: The Future of Touring

We spoke to Sean Gunston from our partners at SolarGO2 about the growing trend of self-sufficient touring.

“Touring has changed a lot in recent years. It used to be all about getting to a campsite, plugging in, and that was your holiday sorted. But more people now want the freedom to park up somewhere quiet, enjoy the scenery, and not rely on a hook up at all. Solar power is what’s making that possible.

We’ve moved on from the old standard 100W panel. Caravan and motorhome owners are choosing 160W, 200W, even running more than one panel, because they want proper power when they’re off the grid. Bigger panels simply deliver more energy, faster. It means you can enjoy your usual comforts and still feel a million miles away from everything.

Pair those panels with a good MPPT charge controller and you’ve got a setup that keeps you powered even on cloudy days. More efficiency, more reliability, more freedom.

That’s really what people are after now: a peaceful spot, a self-sufficient setup, and the chance to enjoy the countryside exactly as it should be.”

1. The Power Source: Choosing Your Solar Panels

The effectiveness of your solar setup depends heavily on the panel type and size, especially given the unpredictable sunlight we get in the UK.

Panel Types (Rigid, Flexible, Lite weight, and Foldable)

Our partner offers a range of solutions to fit your touring style and vehicle type:

  • Rigid Panels: Best for permanent, high-output installations on caravan and motorhome roofs.

  • Semi-Flexible Panels: Ideal for roofs where weight or slight curve is a factor a pop-top roof for example.

  • Lite weight Panels: The latest lightweight solar panels cut bulk without cutting performance. Slim, easy to fit, and perfect for caravans or motorhomes, they deliver reliable energy while keeping weight down.

     

  • Fold Up Solar Panels: Perfect for temporary use, fold‑up panels can be set up in minutes with no professional installation required — an ideal way to keep your battery topped up.

Sizing for the UK Climate

A standard starter setup typically uses solar panels in the 100W–200W range, either as a single unit or, if space allows multiple panels. However, the right system size should always be determined by your actual power needs.

Expert Tip: Solar panels don’t produce the same amount of energy all year round. In the UK, winter days are shorter and darker, so a panel may deliver only a fraction of its rated output. For example, a 100W panel might generate around 80 Wh per day in winter, compared with 500–600 Wh per day in summer. When planning your setup, make sure it’s sized to keep you powered through those low‑sun months—especially if you’ll be using your caravan during winter.

2. The Brains of the Operation: The Charge Controller

The charge controller is the heart of your solar setup, ensuring your battery is charged safely and efficiently

The MPPT Advantage

For UK conditions, we strongly recommend an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) controller. These advanced units continuously adjust with the voltage from your solar panels, extracting up to 30% more energy in cold or cloudy weather compared with older PWM controllers. That extra efficiency makes a big difference when sunlight is limited.

Dual Battery Charging (For Motorhomes)

If your setup includes both a leisure battery (for habitation) and a starter battery (for the vehicle), you’ll need a smart solution to manage them. The professional choice is a dedicated DC‑to‑DC charger. These devices safely connect the two batteries, delivering optimized charging to each — and in some cases, even allowing your engine battery to be topped up directly from solar power.

3. The Workhorse: Choosing Your Leisure Battery

The battery type determines how long you can truly stay off-grid and how deep you can discharge the power.

  • AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat): A reliable, maintenance-free option. They offer excellent performance for moderate discharge and are suitable for serious tourers who stay off-grid for 1–2 nights.

  • Lithium phosphate (LiFePO4): The best option for full independence. They are the lightest and offer the highest usable capacity, allowing for much deeper discharge cycles without damage.

Conclusion: Professional Installation is Key

An off‑grid solar system is only as reliable as the way it’s installed. Poor wiring or mismatched components can waste valuable power, shorten the life of costly batteries, and even create safety risks.

That’s why we recommend using a certified workshop for installation. A professional will ensure every element—from the panels to the wiring and MPPT controller—is correctly specified, safely integrated, and tailored to your caravan’s electrical system.
 
Ready to enjoy true touring freedom with a professionally installed solar setup? Give us a call on 01452 730400 or email servicegc@goldencastle.co.uk
Sara Da Silva