Camping solar panels for easy, cheap green camping power

Camping is undergoing something of a renaissance in the UK. More and more people are rediscovering the delights of the British countryside and getting back to nature with a camping holiday close to home. And with camping solar panels you can harness the free, clean power of the sun to run the gadgets and appliances, like mobile phones and laptops, that we all take for granted these days. You can even use them to run camping comforts like lighting systems and fridges.

Clean, green solar power for camping convenience

If you thought the UK wasn’t sunny enough for solar power, think again. Photovoltaic (PV) camping solar panels can produce electricity even on cloudy days. For a great, green camping trip they’re a fantastic idea for so many reasons:

• clean, renewable energy
• power your appliances for free
• they work throughout the year
• store excess power to use at night
• no noisy generators
• good value to buy
• easy installation
• durable and virtually maintenance-free

It’s easy to see why camping solar panels are becoming a more regular site at campsites across the country.

Solar panels and camping solar gadgets to suit all needs

There are plenty of camping solar panel options on the market, from mini-solar panels for light use to large solar panels mounted on stands you can angle to best catch the sun. There are also solar powered camping gadgets like chargers and lanterns. We’ll run through some of the main categories.

Fold-up camping solar panels

If you’ve got a caravan or motorhome, you could fix your solar panels to your vehicle. As you obviously can’t do this with a tent, you need a free-standing solar panel solution.

Fold-up camping solar panels are a snazzy, convenient way to provide your green camping energy. They look a little like briefcases, and open up to provide portable solar power.

A fold-up solar panel kit of around 13-15W, costing around £55-100, is ideal for charging phones and laptops, keeping GPS devices going or even powering small 12V refrigerators. They’re a really useful camping gadget, and because you can fold them away at night, you can pop them in the tent and away from sight.

Standard camping solar panels

If you need a bit more power, then standard solar panel kits are ideal. As you can’t fit a solar panel to a tent like you can with a caravan, for example, you’ll need to use them in conjunction with a solar panel stand (see below).

Solar panel kits are very sturdy and reliable, and come in a variety of power outputs, from mini 5W kits to mammoth 150W set-ups. Prices range around £60 for a mini 5W solar power kit to several hundred pounds for the larger panels.

Camping solar panel stands

If you don’t want to invest in a fancy fold-up solar panel kit, or need to use solar panels with a bit more power, then a solar panel stand is the answer. It’s an easy, practical way of getting the most out of your solar panels and they are available in a range of sizes to fit all camping solar panels.

Simplicity itself, the stands are free standing and house your solar panel upright. They can then be angled to make the most of available sunlight. Excellent value, the smaller ones start from as little as £10.

Solar powered phone chargers

When you’re out in the country, it’s nice to be away from phone calls and text messages, but it’s always good to have the reassurance of your mobile to hand in case of emergencies.

Solar powered phone chargers keep those batteries topped up for when you might need them without the need for mains power – you’ll never be caught short with a dead battery again. Solar chargers are incredibly good value, too, costing from as little as £8. An essential piece of camping kit.

Solar powered camping lanterns

A solar powered camping lantern is another piece of essential camping equipment. No batteries, just free, green lighting for your tent. They’re good value – you can pick one up for around £15 – and very sturdy. No camping trip should be without at least one.