Selectionne tes appareils, indique ta destination et la saison. On te recommande la station et les panneaux adaptes.
12V system: thicker cables required (4-16 mm2 depending on length).
Select your appliances to calculate your autonomy needs.
Sizing the electrics of a camper van comes down to one question: how much energy do you use each day, and how much can you produce or store? The calculator adds up each appliance's consumption (fridge, lighting, water pump, laptop) in watt-hours per day, then applies a 20% safety margin to absorb losses and the unexpected.
Season and destination change everything. In summer in southern Europe, a 200 W solar panel can cover almost all your needs; in winter in the north, output halves and the battery becomes your main reserve. The calculator combines your consumption with the real irradiation of the chosen city.
Finally, the electrical system (12V or 24V) affects cable and inverter sizing. 24V halves the current for the same power, allowing thinner cable sections on larger setups.
Select your appliances
Tick the equipment in your van and adjust the daily hours of use for each one.
Choose destination and season
Enter the city where you travel and the period: local irradiation drives the estimated solar output.
Set your electrical system
Choose between 12V (standard van) and 24V (large camper or truck) to size cables and inverter.
Read the recommendations
The calculator shows your daily need, the suggested station and panels, and your autonomy with and without solar.
For comfortable nomadic use (fridge, lighting, device charging), plan for 1000 to 2000 Wh. The calculator refines this based on your real appliances.
In summer, often yes. In winter, solar output drops sharply, so you need a larger battery or shore/alternator charging.
12V remains the standard for most vans. 24V becomes worthwhile for heavy loads (AC, induction) as it reduces losses and cable thickness.
Batteries never fully discharge, conversions cause losses, and real needs often exceed estimates. The margin avoids unpleasant surprises.
