Whether you live in your van fulltime or use your vehicle as a weekender, having a reliable power source on hand is a must to ensure a comfortable existence on the road. Over the years I’ve experimented with various rechargeable batteries and gas-powered generators, which I’ve found to be helpful, but not ideal. For example, while batteries like the Anker PowerHouse are handy for charging cellphones and other small electronics, they are nowhere near powerful enough to run bigger appliances like heaters, blenders, and refrigerators. Gas generators typically have more power output, however they are loud, stinky, and are not often allowed in campgrounds.

Long-term, my goal has always been to be able to harvest clean, renewable energy from the sun. To put it simply, I’ve dreamed about going solar since day one of van ownership.

Until now, what’s kept me from adding solar panels to the roof of my van was largely lack of electrical knowledge. I’m not an electrician. Each time I’ve attempted to read up on solar panel installation and battery bank management, I’ve been scared away by complex theory, confusing wire schematics, and the fear of killing myself by way of high-voltage shock or electrical fire due to improper installation. I’ve looked for free resources online and bought expensive books about the subject; the end result has been the same: confusion and frustration.

The price of a solar power system has also been a big deterrent in my quest for free energy. Paying an established van outfitter to install a solar system takes all the guesswork out, but it also costs many thousands of dollars, which thus far, I have not been able to afford. Since this kind of expenditure was outside of my budget, having solar power remained a bucket-list dream.