Recently, I’ve been exploring ways to use solar power for camping…well, many would call it “glamping since my goal is to run a small fridge using solar power.
I’ve already explored portable solar panels over here in this article so I know that solar is an option for camping…but what about running something as power hungry as a small fridge…so I’ve done a little homework and put all my finding together in this article.
Whether you’re also looking to bring some creature comforts to the camp ground with you or you’re looking to get more into off-grid living there is some info here for you…check it out!
Can A Solar Panel Run A Camping Fridge?
Solar panels run camping fridges by taking in sunlight, converting it into electricity, and storing it in a battery for later use in the case that there isn’t enough sun to directly power your fridge.
Solar panels work by letting in particles of light known as photons. The photons knock electrons around in the panels which creates a flow of electricity.
Solar panels consist of smaller units known as photovoltaic cells. All the cells work together to create one solar panel.
Each cell is made of two semi-conducting materials, typically silicon. Silicon is used in microelectronics.
In order to work, the cells must create an electric field. This happens when opposite charges get separated from each other. The silicon is doped with other materials so each slice of material has either a positive electrical charge or a negative electrical charge.
To run a camping fridge consistently, you will need a solar panel battery. If you are camping in the woods or in cloudy weather, you will not get enough sun to run your fridge unless you use a battery.
A solar battery is a battery that you add to your solar panel system. It stores the excess electricity that your solar panels create.
With a solar battery, you can run your fridge even when your panels aren’t getting direct sunlight. For more information on solar batteries, check out these articles:
How Much Solar Power Do I Need For A Camping Fridge?
In general, camping fridges run at about 12V. You can run two 150 watt solar panels into 200 watts of batteries meaning you will have stored power for cloudy days. To power a household fridge, you would need two to three solar panels. Average solar panels produce roughly 250-400 Watts.
Watts describe the rate of power flow. Volts describe the speed of the electrons as they run through a circuit. When you’re buying solar panels, double check their wattage rating to make sure you get the right kind.
Another thing to consider is how much sunlight you’ll be getting while you’re camping, as well as the time of year you’re camping. The sun will produce more solar energy in the summer than in the winter because it is closer to the earth.
It’s also stronger in the south than it is in the north.
Solar panels are strongest between 11am and 1pm. You can angle them towards the sun as the day goes on to get the most out of them.
If you’re camping in a dense forest or way up north, you will be getting less energy from each panel and might need extra panels to compensate.
You can also get a fridge that is specifically designed for solar panels, known as a solar fridge. They can be powered by foldable solar panels or solar tables. They often have wheels which make them very easy for camping.
Solar panel fridges won’t need any ice because they are entirely powered by solar panels.
Tips to Reduce the Energy Needs of Your Fridge
- Protect the fridge with a cover to insulate it.
- Cool the fridge and your food before you leave.
- Keep the fridge closed for as long as possible.
- Keep the fridge as full as possible.
- Vacuum seal your meat so you can use the fridge as a fridge instead of as a freezer.
- Run the fridge regularly while storing it.
Can I Use Portable Solar Panels To Run A Camping Fridge?
In general, portable solar panels let you generate and store electricity with lightweight and portable solar panels, inverters, batteries, and charge controllers. You can plug a portable camping fridge in and run it off of this portable kit.
Instead of being mounted to a roof, they come in many forms. Some of these include folding panel kits that you can put on the ground and flexible panels that you can hang up.
Just like panels that get mounted on roofs, portable panels are made up of silicon solar cells. The panels have a positive and negative layer to create an electric field. An electrical current is created when sunlight hits the panels.
Your solar panels will then be connected to a charge controller. This will control how much current is going through your battery.
Batteries use DC power. Your fridge will likely use AC power, so you will need an inverter to change the power from DC to AC.
Pros of Portable Solar Panels
- They are a good option if you only need a little bit of power.
- You can transfer them from a car, van, RV, or tent.
- They are good for disaster preparedness kits.
- They give you more freedom when parking or setting up a tent.
- They’re a good starting point to enter the world of solar panels.
Cons of Portable Solar Panels
- You need to set them up every time you use them.
- They can be stolen because they’re not hooked up to the top of your van or RV.
How To Know If Portable Solar Panels Are A Good Option For You
If you’re into the travel van life you most likely have solar panels mounted to the roof of your rig. If so then you’re already setup to power almost any energy efficient appliance with your solar array. But if you’re more of a novice like me, you may wonder if portable panels are the right choice. Here is a quick checklist to go over:
- You don’t go on extremely long camping trips and tend to just go on the weekends.
- You usually camp in remote areas.
- You camp at campgrounds with electricity but need some backup.
- You don’t want to commit to setting up permanent solar panels on the top of your van or RV.
- You use a tent.
- You’re on a budget.
Will A Solar Powered Portable Power Station Run A Camping Fridge?
Solar powered portable power stations can run a camping fridge, but only for a limited amount of time. It all depends on how much energy your fridge uses, how long you’ll be camping, and the energy abilities of your portable power station.
The first thing to consider is how much energy your camping fridge uses. Most use between 1 amp and 6 amps per hour, with 2.5 being the average. However, your fridge won’t be running 100% of the time. They usually run closer to 50% of the time.
Many different factors affect a camping fridge’s energy consumption. These include:
- Size
- Compressor style
- Ambient temperature
- Insulation thickness
- Temperature setting
- Usage
If a fridge is using the average 2.5 amps and runs 50% of the day, it will use 30 amp hours of battery in a day.
Based on this information, you can look for solar powered portable power stations that have enough amp hours for the amount of time that you want to go camping. With very expensive exceptions, you will likely only be able to go for about a weekend using a solar powered portable power station.
Solar-powered generators all vary in price and capacity. Be sure that you’re also budgeting for your solar panels because they usually aren’t included with the generator.
Lithium-ion batteries will weigh less than deep-cycle batteries and are also smaller. This means most solar-powered generators are lightweight and portable. They can still weigh around 10 pounds, but if you need a lot of power, they will get very heavy.
However, chances are that if you’re bringing a fridge, you’re not hiking in for miles on end. This means you can have a heavier battery with more power if you need it.