Whether you're planning a lap of Australia, regular free-camping trips through NSW and QLD, or simply want more time off-grid without running a generator, your power setup makes or breaks the trip. This guide covers how to size a portable solar and battery system for a caravan or van, without the generic "one size fits all" answers.
Start with what you actually need to run
Before buying anything, add up your daily loads: fridge (often the biggest single draw on the road), lighting, phone and laptop charging, a CPAP if you use one overnight, and anything else you plan to run — a portable induction cooktop, a coffee machine, or a 12V fan. This total, roughly estimated in watt-hours per day, is what your battery capacity and solar input need to cover.
Choosing a power station for the road
- Weekend and short trips — a compact, lighter unit like the BLUETTI AC50P or AC70P is easy to store and covers lighting, charging, and a small fridge.
- Extended free-camping — mid-size units such as the BLUETTI AC180P or EcoFlow River 3 Max Plus give you enough buffer for a fridge running continuously plus everyday electronics.
- Full-time van or caravan living — larger, expandable systems like the BLUETTI Apex 300 or EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus can be paired with an expansion battery for genuinely off-grid, indefinite stays.
Sizing your solar input
As a rule of thumb, your solar array should be able to fully replace what you use in a day within 4–6 hours of decent sun — Australia's east coast generally delivers that outside of extended wet weather. Foldable panels are the most practical choice for vans and caravans since they pack away flat and can be angled toward the sun independently of your vehicle's orientation:
- Sora 60 or PV100 for topping up a small power station
- Sora 130 or PV200 for weekend-to-week-long trips
- Sora 220, PV350 or Sora 500 for full-time off-grid living
Browse the full range in our solar panels collection.
Charging on the move
Solar isn't the only option — an alternator charger lets you top up your power station straight from your vehicle's engine while driving, which is especially useful through NSW and QLD's long inland stretches where solar alone (or an overcast day) might not be enough. The BLUETTI Charger 1 and Charger 2 (which combines alternator and solar input) both cover this.
Frequently asked questions
How big a solar panel do I need for off-grid caravan living in Australia?
Most full-time travellers running a fridge, lighting, and basic electronics do well with 200–500W of foldable solar, paired with a power station in the 2000Wh+ range. Shorter or weekend trips can get away with far less.
Can I run a caravan fridge on a portable power station overnight?
Yes — a 12V or small compressor fridge typically draws well under 50W, so most mid-size power stations can run one for well over 24 hours on a single charge, longer with solar top-ups during the day.
Do I need an expansion battery for van life?
Not for weekend trips, but for full-time or long-term off-grid living, an expansion battery lets you scale capacity without buying a second, separate unit — most BLUETTI and EcoFlow power stations on our site support this.
Not sure which setup suits your trip? Browse our BLUETTI power stations and EcoFlow range, or get in touch and we'll help you size a system.