Living on the road full-time means I’ve had to learn about solar and electrical systems to be able to sustain an off-grid lifestyle. After months of research, trial-and-error and lots of help from my Dad! I’ve finally set up a solar power system in my van that keeps everything running smoothly — from my fridge to my laptop. In this post, I’ll walk you through the setup I use, complete with a simple wiring diagram and links to the products I personally chose (all available on Amazon UK).
Why I Chose Solar for Van Life
Going solar not only allows me to park up in remote places for days or weeks, but it also reduces my environmental footprint. Plus, it saves me money on campsite fees and ensures I always have power, even when I’m completely off the grid.
My Solar Gear List (Amazon UK Links)
Here are some of the products I used in my van setup:
- Renogy 200W Solar Panel Kit
Great quality, specifically designed for vans and campers, produces loads of power.
👉 Buy on Amazon UK - Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller
Victron are one of the best makes for solar equipment. A charge controller is needed to manage the power (voltage and current) coming in from your solar panel, it regulates the amount of electricity produced to prevent any damage to your battery by overcharging.
👉 Buy on Amazon UK - 12V to 230V 2000W Renogy Power Inverter
Converts battery power into usable 240V for things like charging laptops. An inverter is an essential if you have any electrical items that use normal household plugs (240V). Basically, your battery is DC 12 V and the power that comes from your battery needs to be converted to AC 240V to be able to plug in your electrical items. I chose the 2000W inverter as it’s enough to power what I use, but the size that you need depends on how much 240v powered items you will be using in your van.
👉 Buy on Amazon UK - Eco Worthy 280Ah 12V Leisure Battery
A battery is another essential to your solar system if you want to use electrical items when the solar panels are not producing power. For example at night time, on cloudy and dull days… I use this one because it is a lot lighter than ones I have had in the past and it stores loads of power which lasts for ages, I haven’t had any problems with it so far.
👉 Buy on Amazon UK - 12V Toggle Switch Panel
This is great for managing your 12V system electrical items so they are not constantly draining power from the batteries. My 12V system include the water pump, the fridge, strip lights, USB charging ports.
👉 Buy on Amazon UK - Split Charge Relay
This relay is connected to your leisure battery and also to your engine battery, so that when you are driving you charge both batteries.
👉 Buy on Amazon UK - 12V Fuse Block
This is essential to protect all your 12V appliances.
👉 Buy on Amazon UK - Z Bracket Mounting Kit
I used these Z brackets to secure the panels on the roof of my van.
👉 Buy on Amazon UK
Simple Solar Wiring Diagram
[SOLAR PANEL] → [CHARGE CONTROLLER] → [BATTERY] → [INVERTER] → [AC DEVICES]
→ [FUSE BLOCK] → [12V DEVICES]
Note: Always use appropriately sized fuses and cables based on your power draw.
Step-by-Step: How I Installed It
- Mounted the solar panels using the Z-bracket kit and roof sealant to avoid leaks.
- Ran the solar cables through a weatherproof entry gland into my van.
- Connected the charge controller to the solar panels and then to the battery.
- Installed the fuse block to safely distribute 12 v power to lights etc.
- Hooked up the inverter to power my 240V devices.
Final Thoughts
This solar setup has truly changed the way I travel. No more relying on powered campsites or running the engine just to charge my phone. It gives me freedom, independence, and a greater connection to nature — all while supporting a more sustainable lifestyle.
If you’re starting your van life journey or just want to upgrade your setup, I hope this guide gives you a solid foundation to build on. Let me know if you want help tailoring your own setup!
Happy travels and lots of sunshine to power your off-grid van,
Mindful Nomad
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no extra cost to you, and helps support my blog.
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