Are you looking for some inspiration to take your ute setup to the next level? Attaching a solar panel to your ute tray is becoming a very popular, sustainable way to generate power. What was once an expensive way of powering your camping setup, has become significantly reduced in price over the last few years, all the while improving in technology which means that we’re completely on board!
There are fit-outs to suit various budgets as well as the different applications you might need to generate power for. Below we’ve discussed two of the main options available to you:
Portable Solar Panels:
Depending on your personal circumstances, there will be different variations you’ll need to consider. Having a portable solar panel setup has quite a number of benefits if you’re looking for maximum versatility – you can simply grab them out of their case, plug them in wherever you can and face them towards the sun.
If you’re someone who might not need to be using power all of the time, an 80 watt panel will be enough to run say, a small 12v fridge. However, if you’re running something a little more elaborate with a few lights, larger fridges and freezers and chargers you’ll need bigger panels. It’s good to keep in mind that if you start to exceed 200 watts of solar, portable panels can begin to be too big as the size and weight are too heavy to move around.
Fixed Solar Panels:
Another popular choice is to purchase a fixed solar panel which may work better in your setup if you’re going to require a constant amount of power. A fixed panel is generally attached to the top of your canopy and it’s wired up 24/7 with the purpose of feeding power to your battery whenever it sees the sun.
Some other benefits of using solar power include:
- Saving your fuel for when you actually need it
- After the initial outlay, the panel pays for itself over the lifetime as it continually generates free power
- Recharging times have significantly improved due to battery technology enhancements
- They’re completely noiseless
- Can be a lighter option than a heavy generator and the extra fuel required
If you’re looking for some more information about how to maximise your ute setup, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Austates, we would love to help. You can reach us at 07 3272 7888 or use our contact form located here!