Solar Panels

Solar panels for Bush Company rooftop tents

The roof of a closed hard shell tent is wasted space for most of the trip. Put a panel on it and the tent keeps your batteries topped up while you drive and while you're at camp. These monocrystalline PERC panels (up to 22.5% cell efficiency) are sized to fit the roofs of our tents.

Choosing a panel

• 200W Lightweight: 1250 × 785 × 25mm (4'1.2" × 30.9in × 1in), 5.4kg (11.9 lb). A flexible polymer face with no glass, on a light 25mm (1in) black aluminium frame with two strengthening gussets. Fits sideways on all our tents, up to two per tent, with one bracket set per panel. Clean it with water only.
• 215W: 1300 × 820 × 35mm (4'3.2" × 32.3in × 1.4in), 13.4kg (29.5 lb). Toughened glass and a 35mm (1.4in) black frame; the largest panel in the range. Fits lengthways, one per tent; the TX27 MAX takes two mounted sideways.
• 180W: 1455 × 666 × 35mm (4'9.3" × 26.2in × 1.4in), 12.5kg (27.6 lb). Toughened glass and a 35mm (1.4in) anodised black frame. Fits lengthways. Two can sit side by side on a single set of solar panel brackets, glued and riveted or bolted along the joining edge.
• 140W: 1105 × 666 × 35mm (3'7.5" × 26.2in × 1.4in), 7.8kg (17.2 lb). Toughened glass and a 35mm (1.4in) anodised black frame. Fits sideways, one bracket set per panel.

Mounting and wiring

• Mount the panel with the Solar Panel Bracket, which bolts into the tent's Ezi-Slot channels and leaves an air gap under the panel, or with the Solar Panel To Load Bar Bracket Set on load bars. On the LX27 Gen 2, mount it on Rooftop Tent Load Bars with High Foot Mounts; on the LX27 Gen 1, on the Adjustable Load Bar.
• Each panel has IP67-rated MC4 connectors fitted. We supply a connector lead with MC4 connectors at one end and a red Anderson plug at the other, to connect the panel to your system.
• Running two panels? Join them with a Solar Y Connector Pair.
• Protect the cable where it crosses the hinge with a Solar Cable Protector (AX27, DX27 and LX27 models).
• Use a solar regulator to control charging into your battery.

Weight matters on the roof. As with any roof-mounted gear, add up everything carried on top and confirm the total is within the dynamic roof load ratings of your tent, rack and vehicle.

Electrical specifications

• 200W Lightweight: Vmp 17.43V, Imp 11.47A, Voc 19.92V, Isc 11.82A
• 215W: Vmp 18.2V, Imp 11.81A, Voc 21.5V, Isc 13.07A
• 180W: Vmp 19.5V, Imp 9.23A, Voc 23.0V, Isc 10.23A
• 140W: Vmp 17.5V, Imp 8.01A, Voc 22.3V, Isc 8.06A
• Maximum system voltage: 1000V DC (all models)
• Warranty: 1-year workmanship, 10-year output performance