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Go Solar with Tune Outdoor's New Solar Power Kit

June 27, 2024
5 min read

Truck camping in your Tune M1 is all about getting out into the Great Outdoors and fleeing all the trappings of civilization. But if you enjoy escaping to the boondocks for extended periods of time, you don’t have to leave everything behind, especially when it comes to getting off the grid. Tune Outdoor’s new Solar Power Kit offers all the power you need for everything from your ceiling fan and LED lights to appliances, whether you’re traveling with a laptop, microwave or mini fridge. Our Solar Power Kit is an easy and light option to keep your battery charged and help you stay off-grid longer.

Why solar panels? As a portable, durable electricity source, solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into electricity, letting you camp wherever you want, without depending on portable fuel for generators or electrical hookups. They also offer more freedom to plan your trip by eliminating worries about battery charge or generator fuel. The easiest way to keep your camper’s batteries charged, they’re lightweight, easy to install and use, and don’t take up valuable storage space like generators. They also require little maintenance, adapt well to 12-volt electrical systems, and are quiet and good for the environment, without releasing any fumes.

Tune Outdoor’s Solar Power Kit in a nutshell

Tune’s new Solar Power Kit is made from custom 265W Monocrystalline—panels whose solar cells are made of a single silicon crystal—resulting in higher efficiency and electricity production per square foot (add more panels for even more power). The system also leverages ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) solar panels that are thinner, more compact, and lighter than traditional solar panels. The flexible panels are installed flush to your Tune M1’s roof with industrial adhesive and VHB tape. Standard MC4 connectors are used throughout, attaching to the wiring harness that runs through the waterproof solar port to the camper’s interior, with the final connector, an Anderson PowerPole, hooking up to your powerbank.

What can the 265W Solar Power Kit power? One 265W panel in our Solar Power Kit is enough to power such appliances as a small 12V fridge, interior lights, ceiling fan, laptop chargers, and more. Add and link more panels to up the power capacity.

Durability: The Tune Solar Power Kit’s ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) solar panels have superior durability compared to traditional solar panels, offering nearly double the average life expectancy of portable solar panels. The panels are designed to be shockproof, drop-proof, waterproof, weatherproof, heat resistant, and corrosion resistant—perfect for wherever your Tune M1 takes you.

Weight: Our ETFE solar panels are significantly lighter than traditional solar panels (11.68 lbs. per panel), which makes them easier to install and handle. Combined with the Tune M1’s category-leading space-to-weight ratio (with base models weighing just 400 lbs.), this means the lightest camper set-up you can have in the backcountry.

Space Saving: The thin, compact design of ETFE modules makes them ideal for applications with limited space, such as atop the Tune M1. Their flexibility allows for unconventional installations as well.

Improved Efficiency: The Solar Power Kit’s ETFE modules typically achieve efficiencies of 15–25%, depending on the type of solar cell used. This efficiency range is currently standard for conventional solar panels as well.

High-Temperature Resistance: Solar panels often face overheating issues due to high temperatures, particularly thin and flexible ones. However, our ETFE solar modules are capable of withstanding high temperatures and significant temperature fluctuations.

Specs:

  • Each panel provides up to 265 Watts under perfect conditions
  • Operating temperature of -40 to 185 degrees F.
  • Panel dimensions: 880x1560 mm
  • ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) is extremely durable and resistant to environmental elements, making it far superior to PET or laminate solar panel construction.
  • High water-, UV- and chemical-resistance over a broad temperature range
  • Ideal for long-term outdoor installations
  • Weight (per panel): 11.68 lbs
  • Efficiency rating: 22.5%

Please note that if you are unable to venture to Colorado for a solar install, you can still shop our accessories page, get the parts shipped to you, then work with a local overland shop to get them professionally installed.

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