April 23rd, 2019 | Updated on December 28th, 2023
Camping with friends and family is a favorite past time for many.
The trouble is that some shy away from going camping as often as they would like because it can be costly if you are not prepared.
In order to be prepared, you will need to invest in supplies and tools that can make your camping experience go off without a hitch.
This article will discuss one of the hottest camping items on the market right now and provide you with some advice on what to buy.
Solar panels are all the rage in the camping world because they can provide energy in a remote location.
So, what do you need to know about a solar panel for camping before you make a purchase?
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Basics About Camping Solar Panels
How Many Watts Do You Need?
The way to determine how many watts you need is to first figure out how much energy you will need to generate.
Once you have figured out the kW of energy needed, you can then multiply that number by 1000. (There are 1000 watts in 1 kW of energy.)
To determine if the solar panel you are interested in buying will suffice, take the number that you came up with after multiplying the kW energy and 1000 and divide by the number by the solar panel wattage.
You can then determine if the solar panel will provide you with enough energy.
Read More: Renewable Energy – How Do Solar Panels Work?
Do You Need More Than One Solar Panel?
After you have determined how much energy you will need, you can then make a decision as to the number of solar panels you will need to create such energy.
You may find that you need more than one solar panel, or perhaps instead, it makes more sense to invest in a larger solar panel and only purchase one.
Keep in mind that each solar panel that has at least 100 watts will generate 6 amps of energy per peak hour of sunlight.
This is the equivalent to about 30 hours per day.
When taking into consideration that you will need to recharge your solar panels at some point during your trip, it is best to have extras on hand so that you don’t have to go for an extended period of time without electricity.
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What Is The Best Type To Buy?
There is not a set answer to this question because it is dependant upon a number of variables and every situation is different.
If you are concerned about the cost, you may want to take into consideration the thought of investing in several smaller panels or one large panel.
Another option is to purchase a solar panel that is compatible with a solar power bank so that you can generate and recharge in a more efficient manner.
When determining how many watts you will need to purchase, you will first need to decipher how much energy you will need to produce.
Once you have established this as a guideline, you can then begin to determine the best type of solar panel for your needs.
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