If you plan to take your caravan off grid for a while, but you still want to have some of the luxuries of contemporary living, like watching TV, lightening, drying your hair with a hairdryer, you need to think about how you want to bring electricity with you. Solar power isn't only the cleanest energy option, but it's also the most convenient and, in the long run, the most cost-efficient.
Using sunlight as a power source has been an option for a long time, but with technology advancement, making solar systems are becoming more and more easily available for people. Today we even have the option to get off grid solar power, and people use it for caravans, remote houses, boats etc., but many have even decided to go off grid at their homes. And when it comes to touring around in an RV, solar power has drastically changed the game, and what's more, you have a lot of options, because there is a wide range of different systems from which you can choose.
Mobile solar power systems have many applications. You can use them for charging laptops, phones, music players etc., for providing lights, and kitchen appliances, for heating water in remote areas, but also for charging car batteries, providing electricity for the RV and for the campsite etc. And going one step forward – getting an off grid solar power is a great investment for your caravanning experience, depending solely on our sun as a never-ending power source, and being completely independent of the main grid.
Benefits of Solar Power
Sunlight is everyone's. It's free, clean and thanks to some great minds we can use it to get electricity. One of the biggest benefits of using the sun as a source of power is that it's the most environmentally sound option out there. For people that love nature, this is a reason enough to go solar.
But the advantages of using power generated from this renewable resource don't end there. After the initial investment, solar power is very cost effective, considering that they don't require any additional fuel, which means there aren't any extra costs. And most importantly, quality solar systems are highly durable.
Furthermore, solar systems come in many different forms, offering different features and specifications. They come in different styles, sizes, designs and provide different functionalities, different energy storing and power capacities.
So, using this ingenious piece of equipment that gives you the opportunity to use the sun as an energy source during your caravan trips will give you the peace of mind of not only being able to rely entirely on it, but also of knowing that you are doing your part in preserving our beautiful home – our planet.
Benefits of Off Grid Solar Caravans
Australia has one of the best solar energy resources in the world, which means that if you are traveling in a caravan you can truly rely on the sun to give you the electricity you'll need for a pleasant trip.
Being independent off the main grid, you would have a complete power independence. This means that a stand alone solar system will allow you to stay in remote locations, or avoid tourist or caravan parks, which will not only save you money, but also give you the opportunity to stay for longer periods of time and stay away from noise.
How Does the Off Grid Solar System Provide Electrical Energy?
All solar systems work similarly, but complete off grid solar systems are a little bit more complicated and they come with additional components, which makes it possible for them to provide you with electricity. As the name suggests, unlike on grid solar systems, off grid systems work independently of the grid.
Components of an Off Grid Solar System:
- Solar panel
- DC-AC solar inverter
- Solar cables and adapters
- Charge controller
- Battery bank
- Connected load
- Mounting equipment
- Backup Generator and transfer switch (optional)
How Does it Work?
When the solar panels get in contact with sunlight, they convert the solar energy to electricity. This electricity is direct current in nature, which is then converted to alternating current in real time, by the DC-AC solar inverter. The connected load ensures that the electrical circuit is complete and that the electricity can flow through.
When you are in nature of course there are days when there won't be sunlight. For such periods, as well as for evenings and nights you can use the energy provided from the battery bank. The battery bank is the part of the system that stores the excess energy generated during sunlit periods.
Furthermore, if you are going caravanning during winter or fall for instance, and you want to be extra careful, though it's optional, you can also get a backup generator. This would give you the opportunity to not be solely dependent upon solar energy, in case the battery bank can't provide sufficient power. If you decide to install a backup generator you'll also need a transfer switch, automatic or manual, that will help you to switch between the two sources of energy.