Motorhome solar system – mobile solar bag vs. permanently installed solar panel
This article looks at the advantages and disadvantages of mobile solar bags compared to fixed solar panels.
We also explain which variant we recommend for which type of camper.
Do you want to become less dependent on shore power with your motorhome? Then you should harness the power of the sun and rely on solar power .
In good weather, you can charge your battery independently and are not forced to leave your beautiful pitch.
Table of contents
Mobile solar bag or fixed solar panel
When researching the right solar panel for your motorhome, you will come across two types of solar panel:
1. mobile solar bags
2. solar modules for mounting on the roof of the motorhome
We explain the basic advantages and disadvantages of both variants and which variant we recommend.
Advantages - Mobile solar bag
1. mobile and flexible
As the name suggests, you are mobile with a solar bag. This has the huge advantage that you can park your motorhome in the shade while you place the solar bag in the sun.
For example, you can use our 250W solar bag and the 5-meter extension cable you can set up the solar panel a total of 10 meters away from the battery.
If the solar folding bag is no longer needed, this is no problem. There is no need for time-consuming disassembly. You can also easily connect the solar folding pocket to another battery – e.g. for the solar storage tank in the garden.
2. higher energy yield
Due to the optimal angle of inclination of a solar bag to the sun, significantly more energy can be generated during the day than from a solar panel of the same power, which is mounted flat on the roof of the motorhome.
Particularly in the morning and evening hours, the sun is so low that permanently installed solar modules on the motorhome generate little or no solar power. But even in winter – when the sun has hardly any power anyway – the fixed solar modules only do a mediocre job.
A solar bag, on the other hand, can score points at precisely these times. Thanks to the adjustable feet, you always have an almost perfect angle of incidence of the sun’s rays on the solar bag. This greatly increases the efficiency of the solar bag.
As the sun “wanders” throughout the day, the mobile solar pocket must be aligned several times during the day in order to generate the highest possible solar yield.
3. no fixed installation necessary
To connect a solar bag to the battery, all you need is a small solar charge controllerwhich adapts the solar current to the battery.
The solar folding bag, on the other hand, only needs to be connected to the solar charge controller. When the solar folding bag is no longer needed, it can be stowed away again to save space.
At Supervolt we have two solar charge controllers that fit perfectly to our 250W solar folding bag are perfectly adapted.
MPPT solar charge controller (20A)
This small solar charge controller gets the most out of everything. With its innovative MPPT technology, it is up to 30 % more efficient than a PWM charge controller.
Thanks to its very slim design, this solar regulator can be installed in a very space-saving manner.
You can easily connect and disconnect your solar bag with an Anderson plug.
This solar controller can also be controlled and monitored with our own Bluetooth solar app.
Mobile PWM solar charge controller (20A)
With the mobile solar charge controller from Supervolt, you don’t even have topermanently install the solar controller .
All you need is a connection to the battery terminals of your battery, which lead to an Anderson connector
-> The connection from the battery to the solar controller and from the solar controller to the solar bag are already included in the scope of delivery – so you don’t have to worry about anything else with this variant (apart from the connection).
You can see all the important information on the solar controller’s LCD display and can also select the battery type.
In this video, Björn shows you how easy it is to integrate the two solar controllers between the battery and solar bag:
Disadvantages - Mobile solar bag
In addition to the many advantages of the mobile version, solar bags naturally also have some disadvantages.
1. regular expenditure
Unfortunately, the solar bag has to be set up again every time you reach a parking space where you want to charge with solar energy.
Of course, the solar panel also needs to be packed up and stowed away again when you want to continue your journey. You should also bring the solar bag back into the camper in bad weather conditions.
2. risk of theft
At best, you should never let such a mobile solar panel out of your sight and always stay close to it.
The risk of theft is definitely higher compared to a permanently mounted solar panel on the roof.
3. additional space requirement
Although solar folding bags can be folded up to save space, they still require additional space in the camper.
Permanently installed solar panels
Fixed solar panels on the roof are the classic solution for solar energy in motorhomes.
In addition to many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to this option – we’ll explain them to you.
Advantages - Solar panel on the motorhome roof
Permanent power supply
Probably the biggest advantage of this variant is the constant availability. This means that the solar panels on the roof always generate electricity as soon as the sun shines on them – regardless of whether you are driving or standing in a full parking lot – you don’t have to worry about a thing.
No additional space required
As the solar panels are mounted on the roof, no additional space is required inside the motorhome.
Lower risk of theft
As the solar panels are permanently screwed or even glued to the roof, the risk of theft is significantly lower than with the mobile version.
Disadvantages - Solar panel on the motorhome roof
Limited alignment
Once installed, the solar panels cannot simply be aligned or positioned to achieve the optimum angle to the sun. This has a huge impact on efficiency – especially if the motorhome is parked in the shade or if the sun is very low.
Complex installation required
Installing a fixed solar system on the roof of a motorhome requires good planning and craftsmanship.
The solar panels must be attached to the roof. A cable feed-through from the roof to the inside of the camper is required. Cables must be routed from the solar panel to the solar charge controller through the cable feed-through.
Our recommendation
As you can see, both variants have advantages and disadvantages. But which option is best for whom? We’ll give you our recommendations and explain why a combination of both options is advisable.
Recommendation for mobile solar bag
We can recommend a mobile solar folding bag to anyone who wants more self-sufficiency for their motorhome.
It doesn’t matter whether you already have permanently installed solar panels or not. As already mentioned, the simple and flexible installation is the biggest advantage of this variant. With our mobile PWM charge controller, you can connect the solar panel to your battery in no time at all and get started straight away.
This means that a mobile solar folding bag is suitable for anyone who wants more self-sufficiency and independence quickly and easily.
Recommendation for permanently installed solar panels
Permanently installed solar panels are a must for anyone who spends long periods of time on the road with their motorhome and tends to avoid campsites.
With this variant, you always have a reliable power source on the roof that continuously charges your batteries. Once set up, you don’t have to worry about a thing.
This is also the right option for you if you like to be a little less conspicuous when you’re out and about and don’t want to be constantly unpacking your solar folding bag.
Conclusion
A combination of both variants combines the advantages of both worlds.
There is nothing to be said against having both variants integrated in your motorhome. This means you always have a reliable power supplier with the solar panel on the roof and can connect a solar folding bag to the battery if required, e.g. if the power generated by the solar panel on the roof is not sufficient.
This can be particularly advantageous if you are camping for a longer period without a shore power connection.
