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Camping is great, in theory. In practice, not so much. So many things can go wrong if you don’t know how to prepare and what to expect or do, and it can completely ruin the experience. But, see, that’s the thing — you have so much stuff to think about, you’re bound to forget one or two. Is your phone charged? Did you bring enough fuel canisters? Where’s the generator and is it even functioning? Do you have enough batteries for the flashlights? This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Imagine waking up in the morning, in your campsite, and your phone is at 100%. The lights are already ready for the evening and that noisy generator didn’t keep you up through the night. All of this is completely possible with solar power. Plus, you’re not harming the environment.

If you want to know how to set this whole thing up, keep reading!

Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a campsite is a decent amount of work, but then when you want to make it solar-powered, it can seem too complicated and you might get intimidated. But it’s easier than you think, and if you know a professional electrician, you can even ask them for advice. Pros are up to date on everything that’s new because they have to be. Electrical continuing education in Oregon, California, Washington, and everywhere else in the country is really effective in providing the necessary training, so an electrician will know exactly what to do.

Of course, not everyone can just call up an electrician and ask, so if that’s the case with you, just follow these steps:

1. Calculate Your Energy Needs

The first thing you need is to know how much energy it takes to power everything you want to be powered. Lights, chargers, small refrigerator… Take everything into account. Each device needs a certain amount of power to operate, and it’s usually measured in watt-hours.

Add up those hours, and you’ll get the total amount of energy you’ll need. This way, you won’t have power shortages or overloading.

2. Choose the Right Equipment

This step is key. Portable panels are ideal if you need something super durable, and foldable ones are very convenient and easy to transport. You’ll also need a charge controller to regulate the energy flow, a battery to store power for later use, and an inverter to convert the stored energy into a form your devices can use.

All of the equipment you use should be designed for outdoor use.

3. Find the Ideal Location

Your solar panels have to be placed just right or they won’t do their job. You want a spot with direct sunlight, where there’s no shade from other tents, structures, or trees. The angle the panels are at should be in line with the sun’s position throughout the day so that they can absorb as much energy as possible. Another thing to keep in mind is that the panels need to be in a stable place. If they’re not, they might shift or get damaged by the wind.

4. Assemble All Components

This is where your campsite starts to come together.

Connect the solar panels to the charge controller to get a safe energy transfer. Then, link the charge controller to the battery, where the energy will be stored. If you’re using devices that need alternating current, connect the battery to an inverter to make the energy usable.

In the end, double-check all connections to make sure they’re secure and don’t have any damage. Loose wires can be a safety risk, so be thorough while checking.

5. Test

Now, you need to test it before you rely on it during your camping trip. Power up your devices and see if the setup can meet the energy needs without interruptions. Check the voltage levels and see if the system works smoothly.

If you notice problems, take care of them before you head out.

6. Manage and Maintain the System

Maintenance helps with longevity and performance. Clean the panels on a regular basis and remove all dirt and dust because that will make them less efficient. Keep an eye on the battery’s charge levels to prevent overuse, which will shorten its lifespan.

When you get back home, store everything in a dry, secure place to protect the components from wear and tear.

Conclusion

Once everything is set up, you’ll see that a solar campsite is an absolute game-changer. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to generators. With solar panels, you have clean, quiet, endlessly renewable energy. The sun will do all the work for you; all you need is to connect and set up the components.

Have some cozy evenings while your appliances run in the background, charge your phone, and live in the woods without noise, fuel, or emission. Also, the maintenance of solar panels is much lower than that of generators.

Solar energy surely makes outdoor living simple/sustainable: easy and green.