Ever heard of solar-powered tents? If yes, then you’ll agree with us that it’s proof that solar panels found their way into the camping world. The sight of solar panels on the rooftops of residential and commercial buildings is already common. Even the sight of a solar panel on the roof of an RV is not new. However, a solar tent definitely got our attention.

The emergence of a solar power tent has changed the way people camp. Now, it doesn’t matter if you’re at remote locations. Solar technology has evolved so that campers are not left out of its use. Campers don’t have to worry about keeping their devices juiced, thanks to solar-powered tents.

Let’s dive into the solar-powered tent concept, why solar tents are good for camping, the type of campers it’s ideal for, how to get a solar tent, why solar tents are not popular yet, and so on. As you read on, you’ll know everything you need to learn about the solar tent.

Why is a Solar Power Tent Good for Camping Enthusiasts?

A solar-powered tent is not just a concept. It’s a tent equipped with specially designed photovoltaic panels to provide direct sunlight electricity. These panels capture solar power from the sun and convert it to usable electricity. This is used to charge mobile devices and other gadgets to help you enjoy camping.

Imagine you’re on a camping trip and want to capture moments with your camera or mobile phone, but there isn’t enough power on it. Unfortunately, you can’t charge it because there is power supply equipment. That’s definitely going to be an underwhelming experience.

Solar tents are equipped with underfloor heating to keep their occupants warm at night. The tent also lights up at night.

There are numerous reasons why a solar tent is ideal for your next trip:

Firstly, a solar tent is a very important piece of equipment for campers because it empowers a carefree nomadic lifestyle. You’re not tied down to designated campsites that provide electricity, and you don’t have to be saddled with the burden of carrying a generating set around. This allows you to explore new destinations with your family outdoors. You know you’ll have access to power regardless of where you are.

Secondly, your mobile phones and other essential devices will stay juiced. Some campers love bonding with nature, but not at the expense of their mobile gadgets powering off. So, if you’re the type that loves spending time with your gadgets, a solar-powered tent can ensure it stays on.

Thirdly, solar energy is readily available in many places, and you just need solar panels to tap from its abundance. Unlike gasoline generators that require fossil fuels and battery-powered lights that will require new batteries at some points, solar-powered devices just need energy from the sun to function.

Fourthly, solar power generation is noise-free. This is important because you wouldn’t want your rest or activity periods disturbed by the noise from a generator.

Lastly, solar power is eco-friendly. It provides light and electric current for multiple chargers and has zero environmental impact. There are no greenhouse gas emissions, and this reduces your carbon footprint on the environment.

Ideal for Wild Camping

A solar-powered tent is ideal for wild campers. As we mentioned earlier, with solar energy as your power source, you don’t have to camp where there’s access to electricity or carry a piece of equipment that provides it. Wild campers are known for moving from one spot to another, leaving the former in the condition they met it. This is easy to achieve with a solar tent because you’ll have a reliable source of electricity while you move around locations.

Solar tents are also ideal for those who want to embark on adventure camping or survival camping. Exploring uncharted locations with an obscure or non-existent trail or navigating a location with a clear trail is more fun with fully charged GPS units. You wouldn’t want to get lost in hostile environments because you want to practice your survival skills or have an adventure.

Where to Get Solar-Powered Tents?

There are two ways to have a solar tent – purchasing or making your solar-powered tent. The former is a more convenient option because you can purchase it ready-made and enjoy its benefits at your next campsite. On the other hand, the latter is a process that you should learn if you can’t afford the solar-powered tents on the market.

To make your solar tent, get a tent equipped with an electrical access point so you can easily connect the solar panels you’ll install outside to it. Aside from your tent and solar panels, you’ll also need to store a power bank to store electricity for later use.

Best Solar Panel Tents We Recommend for Campers

Though solar tents are not in abundant supply, you should still go for the top-tier ones. We recommend the following;

Orange Solar Tent

This is one of the best solar tents you can go for when attending music festivals. This tent is made up of a synthetic canopy and photovoltaic fabric. It’s also equipped with a WiFi-enabled touch screen, an underfloor heating element, an induction charger, and a lighting system enabled by radio frequency identification.

One of its best features is that it comes with a flexible and detachable solar panel. The nature of this panel’s design makes it easy for the campers to position it in a way that it can get the maximum amount of direct sunlight.

The tent is ultra-lightweight, making it easy to pack and carry about. While the fabric, embedded with solar cells, gets energy from the sun, it also provides shade for the occupants inside. This tent is capable of charging a maximum of 4 devices at the same time.

Watch this video to get a better understanding:

KATABATIC Solar Tent

This tent is known for its vibrant look, visual appeal, resilience to harsh weather elements, and awards. In 2012, this tent won National Geographic’s Gear of the Year award as well as the Editor’s Choice Snow award from Backpacker Magazine the same year.

It was invented by Eddie Bauer. This tent is fitted with double-construction walls to control condensation. It also has a Y-Fly design that ensures the sheet is noiseless even when strong winds are blowing. The tent is manufactured with ripstop nylon, polyester mesh and supported by aluminum poles.

This tent comes with an 18W energy pack and a 5,200 mAh battery bank. The tent is sturdy, fitted with several interior storage sections, and quick to set up.

High-Quality Solar Power Tent

True to its name, this tent is arguably the most sophisticated solar tent. It’s a great outlet for charging your devices, provides sufficient sleeping space for multiple campers, and is resilient against unfavorable weather elements.

This solar tent has a 13,000mAh power bank, solar panel, lock, and data wire and is the perfect backpacking tent. The solar panel is positioned atop the tent’s roof and can absorb energy from indirect sunlight. This panel is manufactured with a flexible silicon material, and it comes with a junction box that can function optimally even when exposed to rain or other elements.

The tent itself is made up of fiberglass poles, black SunGard fly, and fully waterproof material. The high-quality solar tent is very easy to use, and it can be unfolded and refolded within a very short period.

When folded, the tent looks like a rucksack in the shape of a disc. This tent is larger than any other solar tent on the market, so imagine the amount of space it can afford you. The tent has a couple of canopy extensions, a pair of LED torches, and 4 LED tent pegs. This tent also has a couple of doors with storage bays.

There’s no better solar tent for expedition outfitters. Another exciting feature is the extending canopy which covers both doorways of the tent and enhances its floor areas by 75%. Lastly, this tent is durable and a great option if you love the outdoors.

Bang Bang Solar Tent

Are you in the market for a vibrant-looking solar-powered tent that can easily accommodate four people? Look no further than the Bang Bang Solar Tent. This tent has an interesting history; it was invented by Rob Bertucci, who got tired of losing his way among the tents of fellow festivalgoers because they all looked alike. Plus, he wanted a tent to ensure his gadgets didn’t run out of juice.

This bright-colored tent has six varieties; geometric patterns, psychedelic jelly beans, chopped wood, grass, butterflies, and mandala. This tent is manufactured from breathable and weather-resistant polyester.

This tent occupies 62 square feet, and its extremely strong construction is equipped with a 5W solar panel that charges a Li-Ion battery bank capable of juicing low-voltage devices.