Hardkorr 200W 12V Fixed Glass Solar Panel (Square)

To find the right size, calculate the total amp hours your accessories draw between charges. Most setups running a 12V fridge and basic lighting require at least a 160W to 200W panel to maintain a healthy state of charge during typical sunny conditions.

If you use an induction cooktop or a coffee machine through an inverter, you will likely need a larger array or multiple panels. Glass panels are preferred for permanent roof mounting because they offer better heat dissipation through the air gap underneath, which helps maintain efficiency on hot days.

Check your storage capacity in our 12V Batteries collection or see exactly how much sun you are catching with our Battery Monitors.

You must use a solar controller or regulator whenever you connect a glass solar panel to your battery. Without one, the panel can send uncontrolled voltage to the battery, which can lead to overcharging and permanent damage.

The controller acts as a smart gatekeeper that manages the flow of power to keep your batteries healthy. For rigid glass panels, choosing an MPPT controller is often the best move because it can harvest significantly more energy from the sun compared to older technology. This extra efficiency helps you stay powered for longer when conditions are not perfect.

Explore our full range of Solar Controllers to find a match for your setup, or see our high efficiency MPPT Solar Controllers for maximum performance.

Installing glass solar panels involves securely fixing them to a roof rack, crossbars, or directly to a caravan roof using brackets that provide an air gap. This air gap is critical for cooling the panel, as heat buildup can lead to a drop in charging performance during hot Australian afternoons.

You can use aluminium brackets to bolt the panel frame directly to your racks, or choose ABS corner mounts that bond to flat surfaces with high strength adhesive. This second method is popular for caravans and canopies where drilling extra holes is not preferred. Once the panel is fixed in place, routing the wiring through a cable entry gland is the best way to keep your setup watertight and protected from the elements.

Explore our Solar Panel Mounting Brackets to find the right hardware for your roof, and check out our Solar Cable & Accessories for glands and connectors to finish the job.

Joining multiple glass solar panels together is an effective way to increase the total charging speed and power output of your off grid system. Connecting panels in parallel is the standard method for most 12V setups, as this adds the amperage of each panel together while keeping the voltage levels consistent.

A series connection is another option that increases voltage rather than amperage, which can be more efficient provided your solar controller is rated for the higher input. Always check that your solar cable and circuit protection are sized to handle the combined load to prevent overheating or performance loss.

Building a high capacity solar array is often the first step toward running 240V gear at camp. Explore our 12V Pure Sinewave Inverters to see how to make the most of that extra power.