Solar Kits

Your solar setup as a matched package: our complete solar kits for camper vans and motorhomes combine ULTRAblack tiger or black tiger PRO solar panels with a suitable MPPT charge controller and accessories for mounting and connection. Choose according to your energy needs, available roof space and the features you want from your charge controller.

Which complete solar kit suits your camper van?

A suitable solar kit needs to provide enough energy for your travels and fit your vehicle. Three questions will help you choose: how much energy do you want to replenish through solar, which panel sizes can you fit on your roof, and how will the solar setup connect to your existing battery system?

Our kits save you the work of selecting numerous individual components. The solar panels, charge controller and connection materials are already matched. Your usage and installation layout determine which output and features suit your conversion.

Solar output: how much do you need on your travels?

The watt-peak rating (Wp) describes a solar panel’s rated output under standard test conditions. It does not tell you how much energy your system will produce each day. Actual yield depends on factors including the season, location, cloud cover, panel temperature and shading.

A smaller kit can make sense if your consumption is modest and you regularly recharge from the alternator or shore power. If you want to stay in one place for longer or use more energy, a larger solar array becomes worth considering. Even a large battery cannot replace adequate charging: it stores energy but does not generate it.

Consider your consumption, time spent parked and all available charging sources together. Our Offgrid Designer Pro lets you simulate your travel routine and better assess how much solar power your system needs.

ULTRAblack tiger: efficient solar panels in different formats

ULTRAblack tiger panels use n-type TOPCon cells with a cell efficiency of up to 24.8%. The range offers different outputs and shapes, helping you make use of narrow or divided roof spaces.

This is particularly useful when rooflights, vents or other roof fittings limit the available space. A long, narrow panel may fit alongside a rooflight more easily than a wider panel. The 120 Wp panels, for example, are available in both a long format and an almost square version.

An ULTRAblack tiger kit is worth considering if you want an efficient solar setup and can find a panel format that suits your roof. Compare the total rated output, the space required including mounting brackets, and the price of the complete kit.

black tiger PRO: for demanding solar applications

Our black tiger PRO panels use HPBC cell technology with rear-mounted cell contacts and achieve a cell efficiency of up to 26%. The range is designed for high energy yield and optimised performance in hot conditions and partial shade.

A black tiger PRO kit is particularly appealing if you want to get as much power as possible from your available roof space and frequently travel in challenging conditions. This range also includes different panel dimensions, so choose the specific model to suit your roof layout.

PRO technology does not make shading irrelevant, however. These panels also produce more energy in a location with as little shade as possible. Allow sufficient distance from roof fittings that could cast shadows across the cells during the day.

When comparing panels, remember that cell efficiency and overall panel efficiency are different figures. For your roof layout, what matters is how much rated power you can fit within the actual panel dimensions. Two kits with the same Wp rating have the same rated output under test conditions; differences in everyday use depend on factors including temperature performance, shading and installation.

One panel or two: which fits your roof better?

A single-panel kit can be the right solution if you have a suitable uninterrupted area and its output meets your needs. Two panels let you divide the solar array across different parts of the roof or fit a higher total output.

Measure the usable areas before buying. Alongside the panel dimensions, allow for mounting brackets, cable exits and cable routing. Also check that rooflights can still open fully and that there is room for any future roof fittings.

For kits with multiple panels, the intended wiring arrangement is part of the system design. If you want to change this arrangement or add more panels later, the panel voltages, currents and charge controller limits must be checked together again.

MPPT charge controllers: what do they do?

The solar charge controller connects your panels to your leisure battery. During operation, an MPPT controller tracks the operating point at which the solar panels can deliver the most power and converts that energy into a suitable charging output for the battery.

Depending on the version, our roof-mounted solar kits offer a choice of MPPT controllers from Victron Energy and Votronic. Both handle solar charging; the main considerations when choosing are monitoring, starter battery maintenance charging and integration with your existing system.

Victron SmartSolar: Bluetooth built in

Victron SmartSolar controllers are a suitable choice if you want to monitor your solar setup on your smartphone and adjust settings through the VictronConnect app. Bluetooth is built in. The controllers use passive cooling, without a fan.

A separate output for starter battery maintenance charging is not included. If you already use or plan to install Victron system monitoring, also check the connection options of the specific controller supplied with your kit.

Votronic MPP: charge your leisure battery and maintain your starter battery

The Votronic MPP Duo controllers offered with these kits have a main charging output for the leisure battery and an additional maintenance charging output for a suitable starter battery. This provides up to 1 A and can be particularly useful when your vehicle is parked for longer periods and sufficient solar energy is available.

The additional output does not replace a powerful charger for a discharged starter battery. Bluetooth monitoring requires an additional compatible accessory with these controllers. When choosing the installation location, also take account of the active cooling used by the versions offered.

Whichever brand you choose, the charge controller needs a suitable, adequately ventilated installation location. Check that the system voltage, charging profile and charging current suit your battery, and configure the controller accordingly before use.

What is included in a complete solar kit?

Alongside the solar panel or panels and charge controller, our roof-mounted kits include mounting brackets, a cable seal and materials for wiring and circuit protection. Depending on the kit, these include solar cable, automotive cable, plug connectors, fuse holders and suitable tubular cable lugs. A Dekalin adhesive kit is also included with the corresponding roof-mounted kits.

Compare the exact contents of your chosen version with your installation requirements. Cable routes, roof surfaces and mounting options vary between vehicles. Unusually long cable runs or a special roof construction may require additional or different materials.

A complete solar kit adds solar charging to your electrical system. It does not automatically include a leisure battery or an inverter for 230 V appliances.

Use these points to narrow down your choice

• Energy needs: Which appliances do you want to power, how long will you stay parked, and which other charging sources do you use?
• Roof space: Which panel dimensions fit, including brackets and clearance from roof fittings?
• Panel range: Does an ULTRAblack tiger kit meet your requirements, or would you benefit from the black tiger PRO range?
• Charge controller: Is built-in Bluetooth important to you, or would you prefer an additional output for starter battery maintenance charging?
• System and installation: Do the selected version, battery, cable routes and supplied mounting materials suit your vehicle?