A Guide to Overlanding Solar Panels

Overlanding is always a fun adventure, and going away with friends to explore the wilderness is usually cherishable. To have a memorable experience, you ought to have more than just a rugged off-roader and a tent. 

One thing that troubles Overlanders the most is the need to carry heavy generators and fuel along. But technology has edged this problem out, and solar is the new trend, even in off-road landscapes.

But even solar panels need to be capable enough to be carried along. They must be sturdy and compact enough to be stored and withstand the wrath of the wilderness, easy to install, flexible to adapt to different surfaces, and capable of powering required appliances. 

Thankfully, Sunflare has quality overlanding solar panels in its inventory that meet all these requirements and are a great alternative to heavy generators. Let’s understand what makes the XPLOR series of overlanding solar panels so good for off-grid adventures.

Table of Contents 

• Sunflare XPLOR Solar Panel Features
• Flexible
• Rugged and Lightweight
• Easy to Install
• Certification and Warranty
• Individual Bypass Diodes
• Solar Panel Usage Guide
• Recommended Overlanding Gear

Sunflare XPLOR Solar Panel Features

Sunflare has a range of XPLOR solar panels that are flexible, strong in build quality, easy to carry and install, and capable enough for most appliances.

There are three options – the Weekend, Adventure, and Expedition – with different power generation and sizes. Each option is flexible and certified to be used in the toughest of conditions.

Flexible

XPLOR series solar panels are made of tough solar cells that are flexible. Unlike conventional solar panels that are housed in glass cases and metal frames, Sunflare solar panels are wrapped in 3M plastic casing that is durable and impermeable, allowing the panels to be bent for flexibility.

This quality makes them ideal for overlanding, as they can be placed on different surfaces. They’re also thinner than typical overlanding solar panels, and can be bent to adapt to different surfaces for installation. 

Rugged and Lightweight Overlanding Solar Panels

Another important aspect is their robust build quality and reduced weight. Unlike brittle silicon cells, these panels have cells made of stainless steel that offer superb ruggedness. And since they’re frameless, they’re lightweight in comparison to other panels.

This makes them capable enough to withstand strong winds, jerks on bumpy roads, and damage from flying chips and stones while on off-road trails. Being lightweight makes them ideal for transport and installation out there on the camping site. 

Easy to Install

With such a lightweight and flexible body, the installation becomes much easier. Thanks to dual-sided adhesive tape, the installation is as easy as pasting a sticker on a wall. The strong silicon-infused adhesive ensures an ultra-strong grip that can withstand strong bumps and winds. 

See just how easy the install is in my video above!

Certification and Warranty

When a manufacturer has confidence in its product, it goes all the way with after-sales backup and warranty. The Sunflare XPLOR series come with an industry-leading 25-year warranty, that will outlast any of your other appliances, vehicles, or even camping gear.

To ensure that these overlanding solar panels comply with regulations and are safe to use, these are ISO, CSA, and IEC certified for confident and reliable usage.

Individual Bypass Diodes

Installing bypass diodes on each solar cell enhances the safety and utility of the overlanding solar panels. On conventional panels, even when one part gets under a shade, the whole string is rendered useless as it is integrated into a single circuit. 

When individual cells are given a bypass diode, they behave as a single unit and only the shaded part becomes redundant rather than the whole panel. This comes in quite handy on overlanding trips to ensure the panels are collecting the maximum amount of power. 

Additionally, these bypass diodes also ensure equal current flow and prevent any short circuit or damage due to overheating.

Solar Panel Usage Guide

To make sure that you get the most energy generation from your overlanding solar panels, follow these points:

1. Get all equipment in the correct configuration – wattage, batteries, and inverter.
2. Carefully install the overlanding solar panels on a solid, secure surface, and make sure the surface faces toward the sunlight.
3. If shade will be a problem, move the setup to a better location.
4. Although these solar panels can resist strong winds, rain, and small stone chips, make sure they do not drench in water and all the wires are secured properly. 

While this is a simplistic overview of how to set up solar panels, you get the idea of just how streamlined the process can be (be sure to check the Learn More links below for additional information, too).

And with overlanding panels from Sunflare, you know you’ll get reliable power for the long term.

Don’t take my word for it, though – head over to Sunflare to check out their XPLOR series of solar panels.

Where to Buy Sunflare XPLOR Solar Panels:

• Overland Addict
• GTFOverland
• AV Overland Supply

Recommended Overlanding Gear

Learn More 

• Camping Solar Panel Guide
• Solar Power for Camping: A Beginner’s Guide