OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Relatively inexpensive
Efficient energy conversion
Easy to use
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Doesn't fold down very small
100 watts |10.3 lb
The Jackery SolarSaga 100 continues to be our favorite solar panel for camping. This 100-watt panel is easy to use, lightweight, and effective in both full and partial sun. It's less expensive than many competing models, but works better than those models. Whether it's a sunny day or cloudy outside, this solar panel charges devices with impressive speed. When you're not using it, the SolarSaga quickly folds flat and weighs just over 10 pounds. This low weight and simple fold-in-half design make it easy to pack this panel into your car for your next camping trip. It is chock-full of useful features that make it portable and exceptionally useful. At the campsite, its built-in handle makes it a breeze to carry, and fold-out legs quickly deploy so you can point it directly at the sun and make the most out of those morning and evening rays. It has a USB-A, USB-C, and a DC output to plug directly into your solar camping power station. The hardwired DC charging cable and USB ports stow away handily in an integrated zipper pouch on the backside. This solar panel is impressive in almost every regard and a great addition to anyone's off-grid solar camping setup.
While the SolarSaga 100 is lightweight and collapses flat, it has just a single fold. This makes its folded size considerably wider than some of the other panels we tested. However, this panel is more efficient, and since it only folds once, it's thinner than many of the other panels we tested. It's about as packable as other panels, even if its footprint is larger than some. If you're looking for an all-around great-value high-watt solar panel for your next camping adventure, look no further.
Read more: Jackery SolarSaga 100 review
The Jackery SolarSaga 100 powers devices with sunlight quickly and easily.
Credit: Sam Schild
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
More affordable
Good charging speeds
Simple to use
Lightweight and portable
REASONS TO AVOID
Just average performance in cloudy conditions
No place to store cables
100 watts |8.8 lb
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE is a high-value panel for your solar camping setup. This panel costs less than almost every other panel we tested but performed above average in nearly every test we threw at it. It's lightweight, has a carry handle, and folds once into an easy-to-haul package. You'll quickly be able to load this into your car, then unload it to your solar generation station at the campsite. It has fold-out legs to angle directly at the sun, so you'll be able to take advantage of low-angle sunlight. And it comes with a plethora of adaptors, which makes it easy to hook up to just about any power station from any brand. This makes the SolarPowa 100 that much more affordable since you won't have to buy extra cables or adaptors.
While most everything about the SolarPowa 100 is easy to use and effective, this model doesn't come with a place to store the charging cable or all the adaptors it comes with. We ended up transporting it around with the charging cable dangling off the back a lot during testing, which isn't ideal. It also pulled an average performance on cloudy days, so if you anticipate a lot of overcast days, this may not meet high-power needs. At the end of the day, if you're looking for a great deal in a solar panel for your next camping trip, check this one out.
Read more: BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE review
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 is an affordable and efficient solar panel.
Credit: Sam Schild
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Fast charging in all conditions
Waterproof design
Folds quite small
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Charging cable sold separately
Carrying case kickstand doesn't work as well
110 watts |8.8 lb
The EcoFlow 110 is an excellent panel for reliable performance in any condition — rain or shine. This model is fully waterproof and uses universal standard solar connectors that won't let water into the connection point. These are the same connectors you'll see on permanently mounted solar panels, which means these connectors and the EcoFlow panel are rated to work in the rain. It also performs better in cloudy conditions than most other panels, keeping your office in the woods up and running even if you have to work under a canopy tent. It has one of the highest power outputs in full sun, so you can charge your power station quickly. It comes with a zippered carrying case that doubles as a support to angle the panel at the sun. This case makes it easy to transport the panel and any cables you need to hook it up.
While the carrying case for the EcoFlow 110 works really well to transport, it is less ideal as a kickstand support, which it's meant to double as. It does okay as a panel kickstand but isn't nearly as sturdy as almost any other panel we tested that has dedicated fold-out legs. Of course, since the case serves two purposes, it's one of the lightest overall models we tested, if less stable. Nonetheless, this model is one of the most efficient at converting solar energy into sunlight in all conditions and offers excellent protection from rain as well.
Read more: EcoFlow 110 review
The EcoFlow 110 is a powerful panel that's fully waterproof.
Credit: Sam Schild
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Very durable
Charges quickly
Does well in all conditions
Waterproof
Strong adjustable fold-out legs
REASONS TO AVOID
Doesn't always come with a charging cable
Heavy
100 watts |21.2 lb
The Renogy 100W Foldable is a rigid panel with an aluminum frame and is as beefy as a permanently installed solar panel — but with a hinge for transport. It is seriously sturdy and feels practically bombproof compared to many of the thin, flimsy panels we tested. With this level of construction, we'd be tempted to semi-permanently install it on the top of our van or camper, except that it also has some of the best angling legs we've seen. With screw adjustments and beefy metal legs, this panel can be angled perfectly into the sun and is unlikely to get blown over in anything but the wildest storms. It's one of the most efficient panels we tested in both direct and indirect sunlight and is fully waterproof, so no matter the weather, this will keep the power flowing.
All this burly construction makes the Renogy 100W one of the heaviest, bulkiest solar panels that you can reasonably transport in the trunk of a car. It weighs 21.2 pounds, which is still light enough for one person to carry, but that's about twice as heavy as some of the other models we tested here. So, if you're looking for a solar panel to set up and leave it set up for a while, this is an excellent choice.
Read more: Renogy 100W Foldable review
The Renogy 100W Foldable is big and durable, so you can leave it set up all day without worry.
Credit: Sam Schild
OVERALL
SCORE
REASONS TO BUY
Small folded size
Pleasant and convenient features
Simple setup
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Just average charging speeds
Expensive
100 watts |9.5 lb
The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is the most portable large solar panel for camping. This panel weighs less than most others we tested, and its packed size is smaller than the rest as well. You'll have plenty of extra space in your trunk for all your camping gear due to its extremely thin profile. It has a built-in handle and a zippered pouch to make carrying it to your energy generation station at camp a cinch. It unfolds quickly and has a pair of fold-out legs that make setup easy. Uniquely, this model has a simple sundial to help you angle it directly at the sun for maximum efficiency. It can easily be daisy-chained to more BioLite panels to increase your energy generation, making it a great option for newbies and seasoned solar experts alike.
While the BioLite 100 has tons of great features, it isn't the fastest when it comes to solar charging speeds. It will still power your devices just fine, with an average to slightly above-average energy output performance, but there are more efficient panels in our lineup. This is also one of the priciest panels in the bunch. However, its user-friendly features and highly portable design help to make up for its slightly lower charging speeds. The BioLite 100 stands out in a crowded field of solar panels and is one of our favorite panels to use, even considering its higher price tag.
Read more: BioLite Solar Panel 100 review
The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is small and folds away easily.
Credit: Sam Schild
REASONS TO BUY
Fast and effective charging
Works well under trying conditions
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier than some portable panels
3 |20.9 oz
Among portable solar panels, the BigBlue SolarPowa 28 is the cream of the crop in our lineup of the best portable solar chargers, which focuses on smaller panels from 5-50 watts. It has seriously efficient charging capabilities and performed well in all our testing. This packable model is one of the most efficient of the bunch and delivers consistent and quick charging through variable cloud cover and changing conditions. Three USB ports ensure you can keep your electronics plugged in when you need them. And when you're ready to hit the road, simply roll up this panel and stick it in your backpack.
While we appreciate the portability of the SolarPowa 28, it cuts weight by sacrificing any legs to angle it toward the sun. Even still, it's one of the heavier portable panels we tested — though for its charging capacity and efficiency, we think it's worth the weight. If you need plenty of power in changing light conditions while on the go, the SolarPowa is a great and reasonably affordable option we highly recommend.
Read more: BigBlue SolarPowa 28 review
The BigBlue 3 balances solar charging efficiency and size better than most of the more portable solar chargers we tested.
Credit: Sam Schild
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$110We put these solar camping panels to the test on sunny days, overcast days, and on days with racing clouds.
Credit: Sam Schild
For this review, we researched dozens of 100+ watt solar panels for camping. After carefully selecting and purchasing every product in our lineup, we developed rigorous side-by-side tests to perform in the field and the lab, pitting these sun-gathering machines against each other. Much of our testing involved measuring how fast each solar panel took to charge a battery in the same location at the same time to ensure the most accurate test results. We hooked up each solar panel to matching batteries simultaneously to ensure identical conditions, then recorded how much charge each panel generated in one hour. Since everything from ambient temperature to the sun's angle to ozone levels can affect solar panel efficiency, we tested every panel side-by-side simultaneously.
Our testing of solar panels for camping is divided into four rating metrics with weights corresponding to their overall importance:Our testing of solar panels for camping is divided intowith weights corresponding to their overall importance:
Our expert panel review team is led by Sam Schild. Sam is an avid outdoor adventurer who has spent thousands of nights camping far away from the nearest power outlet. He has ridden a bicycle across the country multiple times and thru-hiked several American long-distance hiking trails. Sam first used a solar panel on one of his cross-country bike treks years ago, but these solar devices have come a long way since then. You can usually find him camping somewhere in Colorado or in the American Southwest, based out of his minivan, where his solar camping setup keeps his tech devices up and running.
We tested the actual output of every panel during peak sun with a voltameter.We tested these solar panels in a side-by-side charging speed test.Testing how the Goal Zero Nomad's support arms function to angle the panel directly at the sun when it's low in the sky.We put all these solar panels through side-by-side testing to ensure consistent conditions for every panel in every test.
We choose each contender after extensive research on their quality, popularity, innovation, and effectiveness, as well as consideration of what makes a top-notch large solar panel for camping. After years of testing and researching well over 100 solar panels, we've found that all the best panels are made with monocrystalline silicon, or single-crystal silicon, cells. Every panel we tested for this review uses this solar panel technology, and we've found that this makeup is the most efficient at converting solar energy into electricity.
A solar camping setup can be quite expensive. With so many options, it can be difficult to know which are worth their high price tags and which are not. Based on the results from our extensive testing, expensive solar panels aren't always the best. The Jackery SolarSaga 100 offers the best overall value for a large solar panel for camping and off-grid living. This panel isn't the least expensive model we tested, nor is it the most expensive, but its performance and efficiency are some of the best we've seen.
The Jackery SolarSaga 100 offers excellent value for your solar camping setup.
Credit: Sam Schild
The EcoFlow 110 performed on par with the SolarSaga in terms of energy conversion efficiency but is even more consistent across variable cloud conditions. Though it has a higher list price, we often see it on sale, making it a great deal. It is also one of the few large solar panels we tested that is fully waterproof, which means you could leave this set up at your campsite while you're out without worrying about the weather. This versatility adds to the overall value of the EcoFlow 110.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE is of excellent value. This panel costs less than almost every panel we tested, yet it still performs nearly as well as the top models. There are a few other panels we tested that cost as little as the SolarPowa 100, but those panels aren't as efficient at this one.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE provides a great overall value for a 100-watt solar panel.
Credit: Sam Schild
The main use of a large solar panel is to effectively convert sunlight into energy that you can use to power your life. We, therefore, weighted direct solar charging speed heavily. If the panel at the heart of your solar camping setup doesn't work well in direct sunlight, then it isn't worth buying. We developed our tests with this in mind.
We used individual, identical batteries to perform our direct solar charging speed testing. We hooked up each panel to one of these identical batteries, then set them each up in the same open area, in direct sunlight, at the same time. For one test, we measured how long it took them to charge their batteries.
In another test, we let each panel charge for one hour, then recorded the total watt-hours each panel charged its test battery. We repeated this test three times, switching the batteries around to compensate for any variables in the batteries, and then averaged the results.
We tested every solar panel's output using a voltmeter.
Credit: Sam Schild
The EcoFlow 110, Jackery SolarSaga 100, and Renogy 100W Foldable performed the best in direct solar charging speed testing. All three of these panels generated over 53 watt-hours of charge in one hour. The SolarSaga eeked out slightly more charge, putting out an average of 54.3 watt-hours in one hour. But this is marginally more than the EcoFlow, at 53.6 watt-hours, and Renogy, at 53.5 watt-hours.
We tested every panel in a side-by-side test hooked up to identical batteries.
Credit: Sam Schild
The EcoFlow 110 also had the highest measured output in watts during peak sun, at 66 watts. The Bluetti PV120 had the highest output in volts, at 22.9 volts. We did notice these numbers fluctuated consistently during testing, and these numbers are more snapshots of specific moments in time and solar energy than anything else. We found that total watt-hours generated in one hour is a much better way to measure the output of each panel since it averages over a long enough segment of time instead of looking only at such a brief moment.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE and Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase also performed well in our direct sun power generation test. The BigBlue generated 49.9 watt-hours, and the Goal Zero Briefcase generated 48 watt-hours in one hour. This isn't quite as fast as the top performers in direct solar charging speed, but it's still respectable. The BioLite 100 wasn't far behind, generating 42.2 watt-hours during our tests.
The Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase performed very well in our direct sun charging speed test.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Goal Zero Nomad 100 took 150 minutes to charge its battery from 20% to 80% in direct sunlight. Over the course of an hour, it generated 39.7 watt-hours, and we measured its sunny day output wattage at 39.7 watts. And coming in last place, the Anker 625 needed a full 170 minutes to achieve the same charge level as the rest. However, it put out a slightly higher wattage than the Goal Zero Boulder in direct sunlight, which we measured at 43 watts.
The EcoFlow 110 charged our test battery the fastest of any panel in direct sunlight.
Credit: Sam Schild
Sometimes, sunlight is obscured by a layer of clouds. And while there's still solar energy making it through the cloud cover, many solar panels are less able to convert solar energy into electricity on overcast days.
We weighted this metric just as heavily as charging speed in direct sunlight because what good is a solar panel if it only works during cloudless days? We still need to charge our gadgets when the sun goes away and the clouds come to play.
We used a thin white sheet to simulate conditions on a cloudy day to test these panels' indirect charging speed. Every model took longer to charge their test batteries during this test, but some panels performed better than others. On average, most panels took about twice as long to charge our test batteries under the indirect sun as they did in the direct sun.
We tested every panel in a side-by-side test under a white sheet to simulate a cloudy day.
Credit: Sam Schild
We performed this testing in sunny Colorado, where there aren't many cloudy days. During a briefly overcast period, we repeated our side-by-side testing to compare the panels' outputs under actual cloud cover to their output under our simulated cloud cover (aka the Big White Sheet). Every panel registered a higher watt output under the natural cloudy conditions than under the white sheet. However, since cloud cover is extremely variable, we didn't quantify these differences in our test results.
In our indirect sun charging speed test, the Bluetti PV120 came out on top, generating 21.6 watt-hours in one hour. This panel has the largest surface area, measuring 65 by 21 inches when unfolded. This larger footprint helps to gather as much solar energy as possible in lower-light scenarios, like on a cloudy day.
The Bluetti PV120 performed the best in cloudy day simulations.
Credit: Sam Schild
The EcoFlow 110 and Renogy 100W also performed well in indirect light. The EcoFlow generated 20 watt-hours of power, and the Renogy generated 20.8 watt-hours in one hour under the Big White Sheet. On average, most of the panels we tested experienced at least a 50% reduction in energy generation during our indirect solar charging test. This means, in general, you should expect a solar panel to perform about half as well on overcast days.
The EcoFlow 110 generated some of the most charge in one hour during indirect solar charging test.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Jackery SolarSaga 100 almost generated as much charge during our indirect solar testing as the top performers. It produced 17.6 watt-hours during our tests. This is about the same amount that the Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase put out as well.
The SolarSaga 100 did almost as well as the top performers in our indirect solar charging speed test.
Credit: Sam Schild
This shouldn't be a surprise, but the Bluetti PV120 also had the highest measured power output (in watts) during indirect solar testing. This panel put out 28 watts when under the white sheet. We measured the EcoFlow 110 and the Jackery SolarSaga, both at 25 watts. The Renogy 100W we measured putting out 24 watts of power under our simulated cloud. Unless you're really in a hurry to charge your devices while camping, any of these panels are a solid choice when you find yourself under heavy cloud cover.
The Renogy 100W Foldable performed very well under our simulated cloud.
Credit: Sam Schild
These panels aren't designed to be permanently mounted on the top of your camping rig or house. They're meant to be packed up in the back of your car or under the seat in your RV or van, to be pulled out and placed in the sun when you need them. You might be cramming a lot of gear into your car if you're going on an extended trip, so you don't want your solar camping setup to take up any more room than it needs to.
We tested portability by weighing every panel and measuring its dimensions when folded. We packed them up and carried them around. We considered all the features that add to a solar panel's portability, such as whether it has a handle or carrying case to make transportation from your car to where you'll set up your solar charging station easier.
We measured the dimensions and weight of every solar panel.
Credit: Sam Schild
The BioLite Solar Panel 100 is the most portable solar panel to bring on your next camping trip. This model folds down to the smallest size, measuring 20 by 14.5 inches and 1.5 inches thick. At 9.5 pounds, this is also one of the lighter panels we tested. It has a zippered case to ensure you won't have to deal with a mess of cables when you're stuffing things into your trunk as well.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE is quite light, at 8.8 pounds. This panel only folds once, so its packed size isn't as small, but it is very thin. It doesn't have a place to store charging cables, though, which made it less pleasant to pack and unpack in our cars.
The BigBlue SolarPowa 100 ETFE was the lightest panel we tested, but doesn't have a place to store the charging cable.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Anker 625 is another one of the most portable solar panels we tested. This panel folds up into a small size, is lightweight, and has an integrated handle. It's not the absolute smallest and not quite the lightest, but it's light and small enough and is the only panel we tested with two zippered pouches to stay organized on the go. And it has an integrated handle, making it very convenient for transporting.
The Anker 625 folds into a small size and has an integrated handle to make carrying it easier.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Topsolar 100W Foldable is the lightest 100+ watt panel we tested, weighing just 5.1 pounds. It doesn't fold down as small as some others, though, and is lacking in other attributes to make it a good pick overall. The EcoFlow 110 is another one of the lightweight models we tested. It comes with a carrying case to make transporting it from your vehicle easy.
The EcoFlow 110 comes with a carrying case that zips shut for portability.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Goal Zero Nomad 100 folds up impressively small, making it the smallest packed-up model among all the panels we tested. However, it's also one of the heaviest panels in our lineup — nearly doubling the weight of most of the other panels, at just over 20 pounds — and doesn't have a handle to carry it. However, this is one of the easiest panels to stash in especially tight spaces, fitting into a small, jam-packed trunk or even a large backpack if you're up for a challenge.
Goal Zero Nomad 100 folds to the smallest size of any panel we tested, but is also the heaviest.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Renogy 100W Foldable and Goal Zero Boulder 100 Briefcase were the least portable models we tested. These panels both weigh over 20 pounds and have a large packed size. The Boulder 100 is almost impossible to get into the included carrying case by yourself, as it only unzips at the top, barely opening wider than the panel itself. The Renogy carrying case is hard-sided and opens like a clamshell, so it was much easier to load this panel into its case than the Goal Zero Boulder 100.
The Renogy 100W Foldable has a hard-sided carrying case the opens like a clamshell, but it's one of the heavier panels we tested.
Credit: Sam Schild
Our functionality metric evaluates how user-friendly a camping solar panel is. To test this fairly broad metric, we considered aspects such as ease of setup, multiple device charging capabilities, cable integration and storage, fold-out supports to angle the panel toward the sun, and anything else contributing to how well a solar panel functions during real-world testing.
Th, Jackery SolarSaga 100, BioLite 100, and Anker 625 stand out regarding functional features that make them easy to use.
The Jackery SolarSaga 100 was one of the easiest solar panels to use. It only folds once, whereas most other panels fold two or three times. This makes the SolarSaga a little larger, but it was consistently the easiest to set up. It also has a pair of folding legs to angle it toward the sun. Since there are only two sections of the panel to support, the two legs of this panel are the sturdiest out of the entire testing lineup. The SolarSaga has a USB-A, USB-C, and hardwired DC output to charge a large battery, so it can also charge up to three devices at once.
The Jackery SolarSaga has USB-A, USB-C, and a hardwired DC output for all your charging needs.
Credit: Sam Schild
The BioLite Solar Panel 100 has a ton of features that make it super functional as well. This panel has a direct DC charging output, a USB-C port, and two USB-A ports as well. It also has a pair of fold-out legs to angle at the sun and a sundial to take the guesswork out of angling it directly at the sun.
The BioLite Solar Panel 100 has a sundial to help you angle this panel directly at the sun.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Anker 625 has two zippered pockets. One of these pockets holds the XT 60 solar charging cable and both USB-C and USB-A outputs. This allows you to charge three devices simultaneously, though, as with every solar panel we tested, if you're splitting the output wattage three ways, it will slow the charging speed. The other zippered pocket will hold any other accessories you want to keep with your solar camping setup. It also has an integrated sunlight alignment device that lets you quickly ensure the panel is angled at the sun to maximize efficiency.
The Anker 625 has a sunlight alignment tool that lets you easily angle the panel directly at the sun for maximum efficiency.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Renogy 100W Foldable legs are some of the most secure of any model we tested. They adjust and secure in place with a threaded handle, allowing you to easily angle this panel exactly where it needs to be for maximum efficiency. They're made of stiff metal, making this one of the last panels to ever blow over — and it would take a really strong storm to do so.
The Renogy 100W is a durable and efficient panel to set up at your campsite and leave out all day.
Credit: Sam Schild
The Bluetti PV120 also has very secure adjustable fold-out legs. While these legs fold out just like other panel supports, they then secure in place with snaps and straps so you can actually adjust the angle of the legs. This makes the Bluetti slightly more secure than all but the Renogy.
The legs on the Bluetti PV120 balance secure adjustability and weight the best of any panel we tested.
Credit: Sam Schild
At first glance, the EcoFlow 110 doesn't have a way to point it at low-angled sunlight, like during the early morning and toward dusk, making it less convenient to use when you're away from camp all day. In actuality, you can use the included carrying case to prop up one side of the panel, but this is much less convenient or sturdy than models with included legs for more accurate angling.
The Jackery SolarSaga has collapsible legs to angle the panel in the early morning or late evening sun and fast charges devices during peak sunlight hours.
Credit: Sam Schild
It's also worth noting that every panel we tested comes with the necessary cable to hook up to a battery, except the EcoFlow 110, Bluetti PV120, and Renogy 100W Foldable. These panels all have a universal standard solar cable connector, also referred to as MC4, but you'll need to get the right adaptor to attach these to your power station of choice. To charge most large batteries or power stations, you'll need to purchase an MC4-to-XT60 cable. The MC4 universal connection is waterproof, though, so this is likely a benefit for some people, even if it is inconvenient — not to mention more expensive — to purchase extra cables for your solar camping setup.
Universal standard solar connectors like these, as found on the EcoFlow 110, Bluetti PV120, and Renogy 100W, are more efficient but will require extra adaptors depending on your power station's input.
Credit: sam schild
While this style of cable connection has the least amount of energy loss (and therefore yields more efficient energy gathering), it does require some extra cables for plugging into most large power stations. This style of connection also allows you to chain multiple solar panels together so you can multiply the power generated from the sun.
A good solar camping setup involves the right solar panel to charge your tech.
Credit: Sam Schild
Choosing the right panel for your solar camping setup can seem daunting. There are tons of solar panels out there, and choosing the right one can be the difference between having a piece of gear that lasts a long time and one that leaves you short on electricity and money. Armed with the info we've provided, we hope you have what you need to decide which camping solar panel is best for you. Whether you're camping in a front-country campsite or boondocking far off the grid, having the right solar camping setup can make or break your experience.
Going camping can be a great way to reset your spirit and unwind from the modern world, but many still want to have the comfort they have at home while they enjoy nature. You can still have your laptop, Bluetooth speaker, and electric grill by knowing how to prepare your campsite with the right off-grid power options. Read on to discover what type of camping is right for you and how to power your living essentials with the help of solar battery systems and portable power stations.
If you have never been camping before, or want to know what other options are available, here are a few styles of outdoor living that may spark your interest.
Recreational vehicle or RV camping is a great way to get away from a busy modern life but within the comfort of having all your amenities under one mobile roof. RV ownership has increased 62 percent in the last 20 years, and rentals increased 650 percent during the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020. There are class A, B, and C motorhomes that range from your small camper vans to a full-size RV that is 30-40 feet in length. Buying a motorhome can be expensive, and the longer in length your RV is, the more regulations there are on where you can park and camp. In recent years, converting vans into off-grid mobile homes has been an increasing trend.
A camper van is typically a van that has been customized with sleeping and some living accommodations. You’ll often find them built on Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit bases. However, just about any van can be customized into a campervan, with old VW vans even being a popular choice. In comparison to other recreation vehicles on the market, campervans are considered a Class B vehicle, making them smaller than both Class A and Class C vehicles (no, you didn’t read that wrong, Class B’s are smaller than Class C’s). Camping vans have increased in popularity over recent years as people start to ditch the conventional “American dream” of owning a home and opt into the nomad qualities of off-grid van life.
Glamping has become a popular trend around the world in the last 10 years. If you’re curious about what it’d be like to live in a tiny house, then glamping is the perfect excuse to try it out. Rent a tiny house for a week or more so you can get a feel for it. That way, there is no commitment to owning it, but you get a taste of what the lifestyle is all about. Who knows? Maybe you’ll love it so much that you’ll want a tiny house of your own.
Tent camping is an easy getaway. It doesn’t have to be complicated, and you can do it just about anywhere you can tote and pitch a tent. From backpacking trips to beach camping, the opportunities for tent camping are just about limitless.
Having solar-powered lighting and backup power at your campsite is one of the most efficient ways to make sure you have all of your electronic amenities are taken care of when you’re off the grid. Generators are loud and inefficient, so having a solar power system for your RV or campsite creates a renewable energy source. No matter what camping Setup you use, portable solar panels or complete solar systems with batteries can offer a solution to all these problems and get you the best solar power for camping. Solar for camping has become more and more popular with the advances in lightweight folding solar blankets and portable solar options that allow users to easily get 12 Volt power for camping in any location. Getting the right solar setup for camping means you can use any household appliance that plugs into a normal power point like coffee machines, camping stoves, and outdoor lighting.
When you use RELiON lithium batteries as part of your solar energy system, you know you’re making the absolute most of it. Three RELiON RB100 lithium batteries for your RV would crank out a total of 3,840 Wh of energy storage and can power your energy needs for days at a time for those long weekend adventures.
When you’re off-grid and away from your busy life, you’ll still want to be able to easily keep devices charged for your safety and enjoyment. In order to make sure your power needs are met without risking depleting your vehicle’s batteries or damaging the environment, consider installing reliable and long-lasting RELiON lithium batteries with solar panels to have access to power twenty-four-seven. You can also have the option of bringing a 1000w portable power station to help power other essentials.
Lithium RV batteries are the best kind of batteries to fuel your latest adventure. Lithium batteries are also an environmentally conscious option for your RV and allow you to enjoy traveling all over the country without stressing so much over your carbon footprint. The RB100 is a 12v 100Ah deep cycle battery and the perfect addition to your RV’s battery bank. With the help of solar panels on your rv or an electrical hookup at a campground, you can power the basic functions of the RV as well as some small appliances for as long as you need.
To learn more about how to calculate your energy needs and find the optimal battery for your application and usage, visit our Lithium Battery Selector Tool.
The Outlaw 1072S portable power station can power everything from a laptop or speaker to a blender, mini-fridge, or TV. This lightweight, safe and maintenance-free lithium power solution is easy to transport and capable of taking on every adventure. Perfect for camping, hiking, hunting, and emergency backup at home, the Outlaw 1072S is strong enough to power what you need, when you need it, wherever you may be.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your gear list together and step out to the great outdoors! With the help of RELiON lithium batteries, there are many ways to generate electricity for your camping adventures. Contact our team for more information on how to get set up with off-grid power the next time you set up camp.