One of the most popular applications for solar over the past few years. We get hundreds of inquiries for Sprinter vans, Transit vans, and all sorts of other trucks, and bug-out vehicles. System designs and energy needs vary somewhat, so for this article, I will focus on the solar panels themselves. What you should look for, & the options available.

Let’s start with the landscape. The practical realities of the van in terms of solar power. Starting with the obvious:
1. How Much Power Will You Need?
Most of our clients seem to be looking for no more than 400 Watts. This is usually enough to power a roof vent fan, small cooler-style fridge, plus some personal electronics. I deal with the energy budget for a van in another article.

2. How Much Space Will You Need?
A single 400W solar panel is approx 1m x 2m in size (3.5′ x 6.5′). This will usually fill a van’s roof space. There are also a variety of smaller solar modules in the 100W-200W range that can be fit to smaller spaces if you have roof vents or other obstructions.
Which leads us to the next issue…

3. How Will You Mount The Solar?
Due to the presence of roof racks, most people choose to devise a means of attaching modules to the racks. Module frames have pre-drilled holes at key locations (consult the install guide for your brand/model of solar), and these can be used for bolts. Some folks have chosen to integrate rails from residential rooftop products so that top-side clamping can be applied to hold the module(s) in place.
Keep in mind that if you are driving down a highway into a 60km/h wind gust, you have 160km/h winds trying to take the module off your roof!

A single large-format residential module, or a collection of smaller modules, may be your most economical solution, however there are alternatives. One of these is ‘Semi-Flex Crystalline‘. These are frameless, glass-less solar modules that can be glued-down to your roof surface. These modules are more expensive per Watt than framed modules, but then again, you don’t need a racking/attachment solution, and wind-loading issues all but disappear. Also far more vibration-resistant.
Got lots of shade or clouds? Consider thinfilm modules like Powerfilm. Like the Semi-Flex Crystalline, these modules would be glued-down.

Here are a few link to modules that have been popular for Vans & RVs…

REC400AA
Solaria 400
SolarFlex 190E
Powerfilm R42

Let us know if we can help you choose the best option for your van.