ICP 5W Panel
Price £70
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments The best panel for battery conditioning, the 5W output will trickle-charge adequately over time. This amorphous panel generates power in most conditions. Measuring 330 x 245mm, it is easy to connect. Bare wires attach to the unit, and crocodile clips are included. A blocking diode is fitted.

Select Solar 5W Flexi Caravan Kit
Price £95
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments This amorphous, weatherproof flexible panel is ideal for roof mounting. The 5W output is, again, well suited to battery conditioning, which is probably why there's a blocking diode and eyelets for battery connection. A female cigarette lighter socket and an extension lead plug directly into the lead coming out the panel. The panel measures 554 x 247mm.

Top Ray Solar Briefcase Solar Generator
Price £157.50
Phone 0800 2983520
Comments This amorphous panel is popular because its compact dimensions (520 x 330mm) combine with a decent 13W output. It's great for conditioning, but you could also run a small coolbox off it on a sunny beach. The blocking diode and charge controller are integral. It's easy to connect to the female cigarette lighter, and crocodile clips are supplied.

Select Solar 10W DIY Kit
Price £105
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments Despite its compact 397 x 278mm dimensions, this polycrystalline panel throws out 10W in direct sun – but bear in mind that this will be significantly lower in poor light. Framed and glass-fronted, it is easily roof mounted and has a charge controller that wires into the junction box. The panel alone costs £65, and it comes with a carry case.

Select Solar 10.3W Flexi Caravan Kit
Price £160
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments Flexible and easy to roof mount, this measures 554 x 424mm and weighs just 0.91kg. It's amorphous, so there's good output in poor light. There's a built-in blocking diode, and a 3m extension lead to a female cigarette lighter and charge controller. The panel alone costs £140.

ICP 15W Panel
Price £159.90
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments At 1035 x 394mm, and 4.9kg, this is a stretched version of ICP's 5W panel, and supplies three times the power. Glass-fronted and framed, it's suitable for roof mounting. This amorphous panel performs well in most conditions. With this output, a charge controller must be fitted.

Uni-Solar 21W
Price £166.09
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments This amorphous panel is housed in a rigid glass-fronted frame. It weighs just under 3kg and measures 928 x 383mm. It's not available as part of a kit, so it doesn't come with integral blocking diodes. Because of the 21W output, a charge controller is a must. The output comes from bare-ended wires at the panel's rear.

Select Solar 43W DIY Kit
Price £275
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments Another polycrystalline panel which, when used in sunny climates, could turn your van self-sufficient. It's big at 996 x 446mm and 5.8kg, and while it costs £235 on its own, the full kit is a better buy. It includes the charge controller (essential, since there's no integral blocking diode), and connectors. It comes with a free carrying case.

Select Solar 32W DIY Kit
Price £325
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments This large, flexible amorphous panel is mounted by applying adhesive and sticking it to your roof. On its own, the panel costs £292.62 and includes battery connectors. The kit includes a charge controller, female cigarette lighter socket, and a 3m extension lead.

PDQ Omis Folding Panel
Price £185
Phone 0800 2983520
Comments This panel shows the higher efficiency of polycrystalline panels, compared to amorphous ones. Power output is similar to other folding panels, yet it measures only 240 x 355mm when folded up. Male/female cigarette lighter sockets, jack plug adaptors, a blocking diode, and a charge controller, which allows output in various voltages, are all included.

Select Solar 28W DIY Kit
Price £220
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments Four hours of sun a day would service a 112W/hour demand, which is achievable with minimal usage of low-energy appliances. This kit includes a charge controller and connectors that attach to the rear junction box. Easy to roof-mount, it measures 559 x 407mm and weighs 2.8kg.

Solara 20W Stick-on Kit
Price £301.42
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments This is the most efficient panel, with 20W output coming from 430 x 450mm dimensions. It's flexible for a crystalline panel, and can be flush mounted onto a roof because the rear is dead flat and the connector block is on the top. The kit has 5m of cable, a dedicated charge controller, and comes with adhesive.

Uni-Solar 64W
Price £350
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments This panel could make a van self-sufficient in the UK. Two hours of light per day will quench a 128W/hour daily power demand, and this large amorphous panel will work well in almost any lighting conditions. The Uni-Solar 64W is sold as a panel only, and doesn't even come with a blocking diode.

Sharp 165W
Price £660
Phone 01793 752032
Web www.selectsolar.co.uk
Comments At such a high price, the Sharp 165W is for the truly dedicated only. But this monster (1575 x 826mm) framed polycrystalline panel will go a long way towards making any motorhome self-sufficient in sunny climates. It can be roof mounted, but be aware that it weighs in at a hefty 17kg. Unfortunately, this panel is for 24V systems only, but 80W and 120W versions are available in 12V. A blocking diode is not included, and the price given above is for the panel alone. l–