There's something genuinely liberating about camping without relying on powered sites or noisy generators. Solar power makes that freedom possible—but only if you size your system correctly.
The question "what size solar panel do I need for camping" doesn't have a single answer. It depends entirely on what you want to run, how long you'll use it, and the battery storing that energy. Get it right, and you'll have reliable off-grid power for years. Get it wrong, and you'll either overspend on equipment you don't need or find yourself with a flat battery and a warm fridge.
This guide walks through the practical steps to size your camping solar setup properly—from calculating your actual power needs to matching panels with batteries and choosing between fixed and portable options.
How to Calculate Your Camping Power Needs
Before browsing solar panels, you need to know how much energy you actually consume. This simple audit takes ten minutes and saves you from expensive mistakes.
The Watt-Hour Formula
Every electrical device has a wattage rating, usually printed on the unit or in its manual. Multiply that wattage by the hours you'll use it daily, and you get watt-hours (Wh)—your basic unit of energy consumption.
Watts × Hours = Watt-hours (Wh) per day
Common Camping Appliances
Here's what typical camping gear draws:
- 12V compressor fridge: 40–60W (cycles on and off, so calculate around 8 hours of actual running time per day)
- LED camping lights: 5–15W
- Phone charging: 10W per device
- 12V water pump: 5–10W
- Laptop charging: 45–65W
VoltX 12V 200W Folding Solar Mat ETFE
A Practical Example
Say you're running a 60W fridge that cycles for roughly 8 hours daily, charging two phones, and powering LED lights for 4 hours each evening.
- Fridge: 60W × 8h = 480Wh
- Two phones: 2 × 10Wh = 20Wh
- LED lights: 10W × 4h = 40Wh
- Daily total: 540Wh
Now add a 20–25% buffer for cloudy conditions and system inefficiencies. That brings your target to approximately 675Wh per day—the number your solar setup needs to generate and store reliably.
VoltX 12V 100W Fixed Solar Panel Black Frame
Matching Solar Panel Size to Your Camping Style
Once you know your power requirements, selecting the right panel size becomes straightforward. The following categories cover most camping scenarios.
Small Setups: 100W–160W Panels
Best for: Solo travellers, weekend campers, hikers prioritising weight
A 100W–160W panel handles phones, cameras, GPS units, LED lights, and small fans comfortably. These lightweight folding kits slip into a backpack or 4WD without consuming much space. Outbax stocks several portable options in this range that pack down remarkably small. For example, the VoltX 12V 100W Folding Solar Mat ETFE can be a suitable choice. If you're not running a fridge and only camping for a night or two at a time, this category delivers excellent value.
Medium Setups: 200W–300W Panels
Best for: Couples, small families, week-long trips with a fridge
This is the sweet spot for most Australian campers. A 200 watt solar panel like the VoltX 12V 200W Folding Solar Mat ETFE Kit generates enough power to run a 12V compressor fridge continuously while keeping devices charged and lights running.
High-efficiency solar blankets work brilliantly here—they're genuinely portable yet deliver serious output. You can position them to face the sun directly while your vehicle stays parked in the shade, maximising generation throughout the day.
Here’s what one of our customers said:
"Hooked it up to a Redarc DCDC charger, and it's working a treat charging my VoltX Slimline 100 Amp battery. Very impressed with it and the prompt delivery. My only regret is that in the rush to place the order, I forgot to use the code to cut the price in half. My bad, but still very happy with the product."
Large Setups: 300W+ Panels
Best for: Caravanners, families wanting full off-grid comfort
When you're running a TV, laptop, coffee machine (via inverter), and multiple devices alongside your fridge, you need 300W or more. Caravanners often install multiple fixed panels on the roof, while touring campers might opt for a large 400W solar blanket they deploy at camp.
Outbax carries solutions across this entire range, from compact folding kits through to high-output blankets for serious off-grid setups.
VoltX 12V 200W Fixed Solar Panel Black Frame
Choosing the Right Battery for Your Solar Panel
Here's where many campers go wrong: they focus entirely on panel wattage and neglect battery capacity. Your panel generates power during daylight, but your battery stores it for overnight use, cloudy periods, and those mornings when you need coffee before the sun hits your camp.
Why Lithium Batteries Make Sense
Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries have become the standard for camping solar systems, and for good reason:
- Lighter weight: Roughly half the weight of equivalent AGM batteries
- Deeper discharge: Use 80–100% of capacity versus 50% for lead-acid
- Longer lifespan: 2,000+ charge cycles compared to 300–500 for AGM
- Better temperature tolerance: Perform reliably in Australian conditions
Yes, they cost more upfront. But when you factor in lifespan and usable capacity, lithium batteries deliver better value over time.
Panel-to-Battery Sizing Guidelines
Match your panel output to the appropriate battery storage:
- 100W–160W panel → 50–100Ah battery
- 200W–300W panel → 100–150Ah battery
- 300W+ panel → 200Ah+ battery
This ensures you can store a full day's generation and avoid damaging your battery through overcharging or excessive discharge.
Fixed Panels vs Portable Solar Blankets
The physical format of your panel matters almost as much as its wattage. Each type suits different camping styles.
Fixed Solar Panels
Advantages: Set-and-forget convenience, always charging when your vehicle's in the sun, weather-resistant and durable
Limitations: Requires installation, can't reposition if you park in the shade
Fixed panels suit caravanners and campervan owners who want a permanent, hassle-free solution. Once installed, you never think about them again—your system charges automatically whenever you're parked
Portable Solar Blankets and Folding Kits
Advantages: Lightweight and genuinely portable, position anywhere for optimal sun angle, versatile across tents, vehicles, and ground setups
Limitations: Requires setup and pack-down, needs securing against wind
Portable blankets from Outbax feature ETFE coating for durability and use high-efficiency monocrystalline cells. They're ideal for tent campers, 4WD tourers, and anyone who values flexibility. When your campsite has shade over the vehicle, simply position your blanket in full sun nearby.
VoltX 12V 100W Folding Solar Mat ETFE (Solar Panel Only)
Your Complete Camping Solar System Checklist
A solar panel alone won't power your camp. Here's what a complete system includes:
- Solar panel: Your power generator—sized according to your daily consumption
- Deep-cycle battery: Energy storage (LiFePO4 recommended for camping)
- Solar charge controller: Protects your battery from overcharging. MPPT controllers offer 15–30% better efficiency than PWM types. Most quality portable kits include a built-in controller.
- Inverter (optional): Only required if running 240V appliances like laptops or coffee machines
Portable power stations offer an all-in-one alternative, combining a battery, charge controller, and inverter in a single unit. Outbax stocks these alongside standalone components—useful if you prefer plug-and-play simplicity over a custom setup components—useful if you prefer plug-and-play simplicity over a custom setup.
Sizing Your System with Confidence
Getting your camping solar setup right comes down to three steps: calculate your daily power consumption, choose a panel that meets and slightly exceeds those needs, and match it with appropriate battery capacity.
For most Australian campers, a 200W solar blanket paired with a 100–120Ah lithium battery delivers genuine versatility without unnecessary complexity. It's enough to run a fridge, keep devices charged, and power camp lights for extended trips. Start with your actual power needs, and the right panel size follows naturally. That's how you build a system that delivers reliable off-grid freedom for years to come.
Ready to shop for portable solar panels? Visit Outbax today and choose from our high-quality range of monocrystalline solar panels.
You can buy products from: Camping Solar Panels Perth
