Living in Australia, it’s natural to want to explore the grand Australian outback to tune in with your surroundings better, and slow down a bit. Off-roading with a 4WD makes for epic road trips you’re sure to remember for years, more so as it’s an experience that teaches you some important things in life, like how to rely more on the available resources.
Solar energy is one of them, and you’d be able to get a great lesson in sustainability, energy-efficiency and lower carbon footprint by opting to power up your adventures with some panels. But, to make the most of this, the key is in choosing the reliable 4WD solar panel to be sure you step up the comfort when hitting the dirt.
How Do I Know What Solar Panels to Buy?
With so many options available nowadays, it’s natural to be in doubt about the right choice; after all, it’s not that cheap or simple of a purchase, and the wrong one could affect your adventures in a not so pleasant way as you rely on it for power. Here’s how to make the shopping easier.
Consider the Needs
How much power is it that you need? Be sure to calculate how much energy you require for each of the devices and appliances you plan on using, checking their specific wattage or amp ratings to get the idea. Knowing how much watts per hour, or amps per hour you need in total could guide you through your shopping, selecting from a range of 4WD solar panel solutions.
If you’re struggling with conversions, divide watts per volts for amp draw, and and multiply amps by volts to get watts. This is crucial so you find something made to generate the ideal – a bit more than your requirement to get peace of mind in case there isn’t enough sun, or you can’t find the perfect sunny spot. About 20% more input should do the trick.
Designs of panel systems that can power up from 100W to 150W are great for basic needs and charging smaller devices, like phone or LED lights. From 150W to 200W you get power enough for more devices. More capacity above 200W is ideal for appliances like fridges and multiple devices when you’re having an adventure that lasts for more than one day.
Choose the Right Type
Depending on what you expect out of this investment, how pricy you’re willing it to be, how big and how efficient, you can choose from:
Monocrystalline
This is a highly-efficient and durable choice of 4×4 solar panel that’s also compact. It’s a great choice if you’re after something that’s made for high performance and doesn’t take up much space at the same time, but keep in mind it can be more expensive than the other alternatives.
Polycrystalline
As the more affordable option, it’s not as efficient as the monocrystalline. If you’re after something more compact, this isn’t the choice for you as it requires ample mounting space to be operational.
Thin-Film Panel
This is the most budget-friendly option out of the three, however it has its downsides like not being durable enough like the others and having lower efficiency, which is why it’s best left for those temporary setups.
Consider Type Based on Configuration
Depending on your choice of preference regarding the configuration, you can pick from:
Portable
In case you’re after the panel that gives you flexibility with the setup whenever and wherever you want, this is it. The portable choice is foldable or suitcase panel, beneficial for the versatility it provides with repositioning for maximum efficiency. One downside is that it takes up storage space, so if you’re short on this it’s something to think about. It can also be a bit tiring to do the manual setup every time you want to get the most sun.
Fixed
As the permanent solution, this one is beneficial as you don’t have to set it up every time you stop somewhere. As it’s attached to your vehicle, it’s always ready for generating power. This, however, is also where it could be disadvantageous as you can’t move it as you see fit to get the most sun, which could provide you with somewhat lower efficiency than the portable counterpart.
Blanket
This is a great choice of 4WD solar panels that’s become popular because of how easy it is to use it on various surfaces (even the not so regular ones). It’s equally hassle-free when it comes to storing it because of the lightweight design which is worth the extra investment than the fixed or portable if it’s more flexibility you’d like to have.
Don’t Forget the Battery
As this is a component you need to be able to use this generated power, and count on proper energy storage even when there’s no sun, you can’t overlook the battery. Here you can choose from lithium-ion, known for the lightweight design and efficiency, as much as durability.
AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) batteries are easy to use and low in maintenance but they do come with their bulkiness. The gel battery option is great for the spill-proof design and durability. And, after making your choice from these three, consider their capacity so you get one that can store all the energy your panels generate.
