Australian RV Accessories is one of Australia’s leading brands in the caravan and motorhome accessory market, and its new flexible solar caravan awning means that running out of power during off-grid stays is a thing of the past.
As caravan parks grow busier, it’s becoming more popular for Aussie adventurers to seek out longer off-grid stays in national parks or on remote beaches. And caravans that are set up to handle extended off-grid living are becoming the new standard.
Founded by Rod Francis in 2004, Australian RV Accessories offers reliable, innovative energy solutions and RV products to ensure your dream of endless exploration in the remote outback can become a reality.
Among its innovative range, which is setting new standards in the industry, is the solar awning which enables caravans to embark on longer adventures to remote off-grid destinations.
Flexible solar awning
The Australian RV solar awning comes in two sizes. The 12ft (10.9m) version delivers 850W of power and the 16ft (14.6m) version a total of 1050W which it can sustain for hours.
Featuring cutting-edge HBC technology, the awnings are engineered to thrive in Australia’s harsh and demanding environments. The durable solar cells are designed to withstand wind, rain and intense heat while maintaining peak performance, ensuring years of reliable energy.
Richard Flanders from Australian RV said unlike traditional panels, the solar cells resist efficiency losses in high temperatures, providing consistent power even on the hottest days.
“With all electrical contacts hidden on the back, they maximise sunlight absorption and perform well even in low light,” said Richard “Flexible and sleek, they seamlessly integrate with the awning’s design, delivering stylish, efficient and long-lasting energy for your outdoor adventures.”
The solar cells are equipped with an advanced omnidirectional layer that helps capture sunlight from all angles, ensuring optimal performance even when the sun is at a low angle. This means you don’t have to worry about where you park, as the awning continues to generate power efficiently in varying light conditions.
“We regularly see the awning producing 100 to 400W in full overcast weather,” said Richard.
An innovative product perfect for off-grid camping in remote locations
Why is the awning so good?
First and foremost, the solar awning preserves valuable roof space on your caravan so that space can be used for luxuries such as skylights, air conditioner units, dust reduction systems and fixed Starlink satellites.
Additionally, the solar produced by the awning will offset the high energy demand of air conditioners, enabling efficient cooling during the hottest parts of the day while maintaining battery life for extended off-grid adventures. In short, you’ll worry less about how long you can stay off-grid.
Built to withstand tough Aussie conditions, Australian RV has roll tested the awning up to 10,000 times during the manufacturing process. Extended expeditions are also used to for testing corrugation impacts and solar outputs, including a 10-day expedition in northeast Victoria and a trip the team is currently undertaking a run up the Stuart Highway from Port Augusta in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory.
How does it work?
The state-of-the-art electric awning has a remote control and switch panel as well as automatic wind detection, which can be turned off. There is also a manual override, so you can retain control if needed.
Due to the power produced by the awnings, the nominal voltage of the 16ft version is 95V. This requires the awning to have its own regulator feeding into any battery system. Australian RV recommends a Victron SmartSolar MPPT, which it has tested, however any regulator designed for high voltage will work.
Once the solar regulator is installed, the setup mirrors that of a standard high-current solar panel, delivering around 88A on a 12V system.
Setup is easy
The awning features automatic wind detection
Maintenance is essential to ensure best performance and efficiency, and the process is similar to that of an electric awning and a solar panel combined. Regular cleaning is essential to remove dust buildup that can impact performance and a centre awning support is recommended, especially when driving on rough, corrugated roads.
The design of the awning incorporates fused cells. If, in the unfortunate event the panels get damaged, a fuse will trip for your safety and to protect the battery system. The Australian RV support team is always available for assistances our support team for assistance with replacements and repairs.
The 16ft solar awning weighs approximately 77kg and the 12ft weighs 63kg, and both come with a three-year warranty.
For DIY enthusiasts, you can install the awning yourself (having two people is advised), but Richard did note that because of the wiring required, it’s recommended to get the awning professionally installed for extra peace of mind.
It works just like a regular awning and large solar panel combined, and is great for heading off the beaten track for extended periods
Manage your power
Australian RV is an official distributor for Victron Energy in Australia and when it comes to other great off-grid power solutions, Richard recommends a Cerbo GX Controller from Victron. Not keeping track of power usage is one of the common pitfalls during off-grid camping, particularly for newcomers. The Cerbo GX Controller can help with this; featuring a large LED screen it can connect to all your caravan’s technical systems allowing for a quick glance to understand exactly what’s happening.
This also allows for remote trouble-shooting — should anything go wrong when you’re out in the bush, a technician can dial in and diagnosis or fix the problem remotely.
Ensuring you have enough power to go off-grid for an extended camping trip is essential, especially if you're heading to remote areas where help can be hard to find — read our guide to power management here.
A solar awning will free up your van’s roof for other accessories or simply expand your solar system setup
Head off-grid with Australian RV Accessories
For further information about the new solar awning or other products to extend your off-grid stays, give Australian RV a call on 03 9758 1761 or visit the website for your nearest distributor.
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Australian RV Accessories: Flexible solar awning perfect for off-grid stays