The Minimalist Solar Package

This setup works well if you:
  • Plan to install in a minivan/car/off-road truck/cargo van with limited roof space
  • Want a lightweight setup that is aerodynamic
  • Plan to run a laptop, USB charger, and some LED lights (but do not plan to run any large motors/microwaves or large appliances)
Recommended components:
  • 50-150 amp hour deep cycle battery
  • 100-200 watt solar panel 
  • 20 amp MPPT charge controller (PWM controller if on a tight budget)
  • 500 watt inverter
Estimated Cost of Recommended Components:
  • ​$130-$260 for Solar Panels
  • $125 for Solar Charge Controller
  • $280 for Lead Acid Batteries or $950 for Lithium Batteries
  • $170 for Inverter
  • $140 for Branch Connectors/Cable Entry Gland/Wire/Crimp Connectors/Fuses
  • $50-$150 for Tools (Cheap tools are available, but you are better off buying high quality tools)
Estimated Total Cost with 200 watt solar panel array:
  • Complete System with Lead Acid Batteries: $1075.00
  • Complete System with Lithium Batteries: $1,745.00
    (Lithium is still cheaper option because it will last 4-8 times longer than the lead acid system)    ​

What I recommend

Buy this battery:

The Battle Born 100 amp hour Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery. 

This battery will last 3,000 to 5,000+ cycles. It is small and light weight. This battery is much cheaper than a lead acid battery, if you take its longevity into account. 

Click here for a cheap price

To learn more about this battery, click here
If you plan to use your system for less than 3 years, and weight is not an issue, you can buy this battery instead:

Buy 100- 200 watts of Solar Panels:

Glass solar panel:
(most recommended)

Pros:
  • Cheap
  • Extremely durable (can handle snow, rain, heat for years!)
  • Easy to mount. Use mounting tape or buy some mounts
  • Last 25+ years, no problem

Cons: 
  • Heavy. Typically around 16 pounds for a 100 watt solar panel
  • Can cause a huge amount of aerodynamic drag to your vehicle
  • Mounting glass panels to the roof of a moving vehicle is typically a bad idea. If one of these falls off your roof, someone can die. Make sure you mount all panels properly.
  • Requires air flow under the panel. Just an inch or so, not much, but it is necessary. 
​Dimensions: 41.7 X 21.3 X 0.12 inches
Weight: 16.5 pounds
Click here to buy a high quality 100 watt glass solar panel

Flexible Solar Panel:

Pros:
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to mount
  • Aerodynamic efficiency (they are designed to be flush mounted on your roof, which means better gas mileage for your vehicle.
Cons:
  • Longevity issues. Typical life is 5-10 years. (Glass panels can last 25 years+)
  • They can bend.. but not too much. Anything more than a 30 degree radius will cause damage of the solar cells ( you will hear a distinct crunch, and you may see cracks in the cells)
  • They like to over heat. If you are in arizona, they will die in less than a year. If you use them in a cool environment, 5-10 years is average.
4.1 pounds
41.8 x 21.7 x 1.3 inches
Click Here for a high quality 100 watt flexible solar panel

Choose a Solar Charge Controller:

If you are on a budget, a cheap PWM controller will work... but I highly recommend buying an MPPT charge controller. The increased efficiency of an MPPT charge controller makes it worth the money. The MPPT will take care of your batteries better in the long run (it has temperature compensation and other battery maintenance features). The MPPT controller below will also let you know how much power your solar panels is producing (if you buy the MT-50 with it). There are more reasons that I could list, but buying a MPPT is a no-brainer. Spend the extra money and buy it (unless you absolutely cannot afford to do so). 

Recommended MPPT Charge Controller (recommended)

Max. Solar Input Power:
260 watts of solar panels

This charger has over-current protection which means that the figures above can be doubled! ​

20 amp MPPT charge controller (98% efficiency)
Click Here 
Recommended MPPT Accessories:
Temperature Compensation Module (click here)
MT-50 Control Display and Interface (click here)

PWM Controller 

It will charge your batteries and it is cheap, but I do not recommend using it unless you are on an extremely tight budget.
​
30 amp PWM charge controller (70% efficiency)
​Click Here


​​

Buy This 1000 watt pure sine wave inverter:

Really great inverter! Pure sine wave is ideal, and this inverter will last for years (I am still using one I bought ages ago). 
Click here for a cheap price

Wiring products:

Solar Panel to Solar Charge Controller Cable: 
Click Here 
Solar Panel Cable Entry Gland

When your solar panel array wires enter your vehicle, you will need to drill two holes. Use this cover to prevent roof leaks from developing.

Click Here

Solar Panel Mounts:

Every vehicle is different, so check out my book or this page (click here) to figure out how to mount your solar panels

Battery Monitor:

Required for all systems. Tells you voltage of the battery and amp draw. 

​
Click Here

Required Tools:

​Crimp Connector set
There are cheaper crimp connector sets available, but they are junk! Spend the extra money and buy a high quality set of connectors. The cheap chinese ones will fail and I have had it happen before. This is what I currently use:
Click Here
10 gauge wire
Goes between the solar charge controller and the fuse box (it can also be used to connect appliances. Very versatile wire size for 12 volt systems. 
25 ft. Click Here

​

Accessories:

12 volt USB charge strip
Click here
Battery bank to cigarette light adapter
Click Here
46 Liter Dometic Solar Power Fridge
 Click Here
When connecting fans or lights or pretty much anything, use these quick connectors that are rated to 60 amps! I have used them for years for my rc airplanes and helicopters, but they are insanely useful for living in a rv. 


Click Here 
Super useful clippers. Use them to cut anything small.

​
Click Here