It’s no surprise that a solar panel can generate more power during summer in Spain than in Scotland, even though Scotland enjoys longer daylight hours during the season.
The intensity of the sunlight, not just the length of the day, plays a crucial role in how much energy your solar panels can produce.
When we’re helping you design your campervan’s electrical system, we ask about your travel plans for summer and winter. Knowing where you’ll be and when helps us create a setup that keeps you powered up, no matter where your adventures take you.
The Sun Isn’t Equal Everywhere
Let’s talk about “peak sun hours.” This is a way to measure how strong the sunlight is in a specific place. It’s not just about how many hours the sun is above the horizon, but how intense it is. For example, in July, Spain receives more intense sunlight than Scotland, even though Scotland has longer daylight hours. This means your solar panels will produce more energy in Spain than in Scotland during the same month.
Where you are and what season it is really matter. If you’re closer to the equator, the sunlight is more consistent and stronger throughout the year. But if you’re travelling further north or south, you’ll notice bigger changes with the seasons—shorter days and a lower sun in the sky during winter, which means less solar energy.
By knowing your travel plans, we can estimate how much solar energy your panels will be able to generate in different places and seasons.
Understanding how often you use your campervan helps you design an electrical system that’s just right for you. It prevents you from overspending on unnecessary components if your needs are modest and ensures you won’t be left without power if your demands are higher.
Our Real-Life Experiences
Let me share a story from the road. When I first planned my campervan journey from the UK to South America, my intention was to chase the sun—spending summers in the south and winters further north to maximise solar energy. But as it happens with adventures, plans changed, and I ended up spending two winters in Patagonia.
Now, Patagonia in winter isn’t exactly a sun-soaked paradise. The days were short, and the sun stayed low in the sky. My solar panels, which performed brilliantly in sunnier regions, couldn’t keep up with my energy needs in these conditions.
So, what did I do? I had to adjust. I relied more on charging my batteries while driving, using the van’s alternator. I also spent more time at campsites where I could plug into shore power. These adjustments kept my campervan powered up, even when solar alone wasn’t enough.
This perfectly demonstrates the importance of planning for different scenarios and having a flexible electrical system that can adapt to changing conditions.
Designing Your System with Your Travels in Mind
When we know where you’re headed, we can tailor your electrical system to suit your needs. We use tools like our peak sun hours calculator to figure out how much solar energy you’ll likely get. This helps us decide on the right number of panels and the best battery capacity for your van. We can also plan for times when solar energy might be low and suggest other ways to keep your batteries charged.
For example, if you’re planning to spend time in less sunny places or during the winter months, we might recommend:
- A larger battery bank so you can spend some time off-grid, even in winter.
- Alternator charging to top up your batteries while you drive.
- Shore power options for plugging in at campsites when needed.
- Portable solar panels to provide extra charging capacity when you’re parked up.
Adjusting Your Lifestyle on the Road
It’s not just about the equipment—it’s also about how you use energy in your van. During times when solar energy is lower, you might need to be mindful of using appliances that consume a lot of power. Maybe you’ll plan to spend more time at campsites with electricity during the winter. Or perhaps you’ll make sure your battery bank is big enough to allow you a day or two off-grid even when solar production is low.
Remember, even with the maximum number of solar panels on your roof, there will be times and places where solar alone won’t meet all your energy needs. Weather conditions like clouds, rain, and snow can reduce how much energy your panels produce. Shade from trees or buildings, or even your own roof accessories, can cast shadows on your panels. And in northern regions during winter, the days are short and the sun doesn’t get very high in the sky.
Why We Ask About Your Travel Plans
By knowing where and when you’ll be travelling, we can design a system that’s just right for you. We can avoid giving you unnecessary equipment or, worse, leaving you with a setup that doesn’t meet your needs. We’ll help set realistic expectations so you understand when solar will be enough and when you might need a bit of extra help charging your batteries. Our goal is to enhance your experience, ensuring you have the power you need for comfort and convenience on the road.
Ready to Power Your Journey?
We know that planning all this can feel a bit overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Our no-obligation design service is here to help. We’ll work with you to understand your travel plans, energy needs, and lifestyle, and then craft a custom electrical system that’s just right for you.
Why not give it a try? There’s no pressure, and we’re happy to share our expertise to help make your campervan adventures as enjoyable as possible. Whether you’re new to van life or a seasoned traveller looking to upgrade, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Interested in a personalised electrical system for your campervan? Reach out to us today to sign up for our free design service. Let’s make sure you’re ready for the road ahead!
