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Camping Solar Panel Sizing Guide 2026
If you are choosing a portable solar panel for camping, the easiest way to get it right is to size it from your daily energy use, not guesses. This guide shows a simple method to work out whether how much solar panels will suit your setup, and how to plan your power use so your system stays reliable.
Why portable solar panels work so well for camping
Portable solar is popular for camping because you can place the panel in the best sun available, even if your campsite is shaded. You can also reposition it during the day to maintain better output. Exotronic’s 200W portable panels are designed for this style of camping: quick to deploy, easy to pack down, and practical for short trips through to longer touring.
Step 1: Work out your daily energy use (Wh per day)
Solar panels are rated in watts, but what matters is the total energy you use over a day, measured in watt-hours (Wh). The basic calculation is simple.
Daily energy (Wh) = Appliance watts (W) x Hours used per day
If a device shows amps (A) instead of watts, you can estimate watts like this.
Watts (W) = Volts (V) x Amps (A)
Daily load audit worksheet
| Device / Appliance | Power (W) | Hours Used per Day | Daily Energy (Wh) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12V fridge (average) | Average draw varies with weather and settings | |||
| LED lights | Evening use is common | |||
| Phone charging | Estimate per charge multiplied by charges per day | |||
| Water pump | Short bursts add up over a day | |||
| Laptop or camera charging | Depends on charger wattage and usage time | |||
| Total (Wh per day) | Add all rows above | |||
| Buffer (add 20–30%) | Covers losses and mixed weather | |||
| Target (Wh per day) | Use this number to size your solar |
Step 2: Convert Wh per day into the solar panel watts you need
Once you know your target Wh per day, you can estimate the solar watts required using peak sun hours. Peak sun hours is a practical way of describing how many “good charging hours” you might get in a day.
As a simple planning range for camping, use 3 to 5 peak sun hours per day, depending on season, location, weather, and shading.
Solar watts needed = Target Wh per day ÷ (Peak sun hours x Efficiency factor)
A realistic efficiency factor for portable camping solar is often around 0.7. This helps account for real-world losses such as heat, sun angle, minor shading, cable losses, and charging behaviour.
Quick sizing cheat sheet
This cheat sheet assumes 0.7 efficiency and shows the rough solar watts needed for different daily energy targets.
| Target Energy Use (Wh per Day) | Solar Watts Needed (3 Sun Hours) | Solar Watts Needed (4 Sun Hours) | Solar Watts Needed (5 Sun Hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Wh | 143 W | 107 W | 86 W |
| 500 Wh | 238 W | 179 W | 143 W |
| 700 Wh | 333 W | 250 W | 200 W |
| 900 Wh | 429 W | 321 W | 257 W |
How to use this table with Exotronic portable panels:
If your result is around 200W to 250W, one Exotronic portable 200W panel can be a good match if your conditions are strong and your usage is sensible. If your result is closer to 300W to 400W, two Exotronic 200W portable panels is the more practical option for day-to-day reliability.
Choosing between Exotronic 200W 12V and Exotronic 200W 24V
Both panels are designed for portable camping use, but the right option depends on your battery system and how your power system is set up.
Exotronic 200W 12V portable solar panel
This option is suited to 12V camping systems and is commonly chosen for straightforward touring and weekend setups where portability and simplicity are priorities.
Exotronic 200W 24V portable solar panel
This option is suited to 24V battery systems, or setups where a higher-voltage portable panel is preferred for the way the system is configured.
How many Exotronic panels do you need? Two practical examples
Example 1: Light weekend trip
Typical use: lighting, phone charging, water pump, minimal fridge use
Target daily energy: around 300 to 500 Wh per day
Recommended solar: 1 x Exotronic 200W portable solar panel
Why this suits: a single 200W portable panel can cover light daily loads when positioned well in the sun and when usage is kept sensible.
Example 2: Touring setup (fridge plus daily essentials)
Typical use: 12V fridge, lighting, phones, small electronics
Target daily energy: around 600 to 900 Wh per day
Recommended solar: 2 x Exotronic 200W portable solar panels (400W total)
Why this suits: two panels give you more charging capacity across the day and help reduce the risk of falling behind after mixed weather or partial shade.
Common mistakes that make camping solar underperform
Expecting full rated watts all day
A 200W panel does not produce 200W continuously. Output changes with sun angle, heat, cloud, and shade. The practical goal is to collect enough total energy across the day to cover your Wh target.
Placing the panel where it gets partial shade
Even small amounts of shade can reduce output significantly. With portable solar, it is usually worth moving the panel a few metres to find clearer sun.
Not adjusting the panel angle
If your panel sits flat on the ground all day, you can lose a meaningful amount of potential energy in the mornings and afternoons. Even a small tilt can help.
A simple checklist before you buy
1) Estimate your target Wh per day using the load audit worksheet.
2) Decide whether your system is 12V or 24V.
3) Choose one Exotronic 200W panel for lighter loads, or two panels for fridge-based touring setups.
4) Plan for how you will place the panel in full sun at camp, including the ability to move it as the sun changes.
Closing note
If you want the quickest accurate recommendation, work out your daily Wh target using the table above and note whether your battery system is 12V or 24V. From there, it becomes a simple decision between one Exotronic 200W portable panel or a two-panel setup for higher daily use.
