Portable solar panels in Campervan fields

[Skelts]

First time in a campervan this year (East Quiet) and we have a portable, fold away solar panel.  The kind you fold together like a brief case, so it's not secured to anything. 

 

There's nothing stopping anyone disconnecting the cable and nicking it.  Are we mad to consider leaving it out to charge the leisure battery whilst we're inside the festival all day every day?  Does anyone have any experience of doing this?  Or any stories of stolen solar panels?  On the other hand, do lots of people do it without any issues and I'm over thinking it?

Cheers

[clarkete]

1 hour ago, Skelts said:

First time in a campervan this year (East Quiet) and we have a portable, fold away solar panel.  The kind you fold together like a brief case, so it's not secured to anything. 

 

There's nothing stopping anyone disconnecting the cable and nicking it.  Are we mad to consider leaving it out to charge the leisure battery whilst we're inside the festival all day every day?  Does anyone have any experience of doing this?  Or any stories of stolen solar panels?  On the other hand, do lots of people do it without any issues and I'm over thinking it?

Cheers

 

Reckon if not by a big thoroughfare would be fine, how much are they worth? 

 

If it's right valuable, just a windbreak to obscure from view? 

Edited June 4, 2025 by clarkete

[Skelts]

7 minutes ago, clarkete said:

 

Reckon if not by a big thoroughfare would be fine, how much are they worth? 

 

If it's right valuable, just a windbreak to obscure from view? 

About £150.  Good shout though, if we're not near a big thoroughfare, I might be a bit more relaxed about it.

[Lucy92]

I’ve always found Glastonbury to be pretty good for not having stuff nicked, but it does happen. I’d definitely try and hide it from view or maybe think of a way to padlock it to something? (Pram wheel locks are good) 

[Someoni]

Whack it on the roof

[Skelts]

22 minutes ago, Someoni said:

Whack it on the roof

It’s a VW with a pop top so it’d slide right off 😂

I may see if there’s any way I can strap it on though. 

[carlosj]

17 hours ago, Skelts said:

It’s a VW with a pop top so it’d slide right off 😂

I may see if there’s any way I can strap it on though. 

Is it an option to glue/gaffa tape a fabric loop to the back and thread a chord through that to fasten on to the roof? Anything over the cells is going to affect the charging, even if a small amount.

Positioning on the roof is going to increase security even though I've never known issues in the CV fields. 

[carlosj]

Just now, carlosj said:

Is it an option to glue/gaffa tape a fabric loop to the back and thread a chord through that to fasten on to the roof? Anything over the cells is going to affect the charging, even if a small amount.

Positioning on the roof is going to increase security even though I've never known issues in the CV fields. 

Hmm, VW? Isn't it illegal to put anything other than surf boards on the roof? 

[Jockefc23]

I've got one of these that I put on the roof of my VW Caddy. Mine definetly has the option/area to hook a chain or long bike lock round it - maybe thread it through your wheels?

 

I put it on the top of my van 2 years ago and had no issues 

[Skelts]

10 minutes ago, Jockefc23 said:

I've got one of these that I put on the roof of my VW Caddy. Mine definetly has the option/area to hook a chain or long bike lock round it - maybe thread it through your wheels?

 

I put it on the top of my van 2 years ago and had no issues 

Thanks.  That's the conclusion I've reached - chain and padlock through the van wheels.

[timbrass]

I have never had anything stolen or seen or heard of anything being stolen in a Campervan field (East or West).  I think anyone who has gone to the effort of getting a ticket and rent/own a Campervan is unlikely to go around nicking solar panels.  I will be leaving a fold out panel on the roof of mine! (but perhaps I am being naiive!)

[Jockefc23]

Yeah I would think this.. If you were in the middle of the tents some scally might think about moving it/nicking it but it's unlikely in the campervan park. 

[siblin]

Not quite the same but my wife has been known to leave out solar battery packs in WV/SL. Cheaper but easier to walk off with.

 

probably inadvisable but never had an issue.

[incident]

4 hours ago, timbrass said:

I think anyone who has gone to the effort of getting a ticket and rent/own a Campervan is unlikely to go around nicking solar panels.  I will be leaving a fold out panel on the roof of mine! (but perhaps I am being naiive!)

 

I think the fields are going to be reasonably safe, just by their nature - but would caution that it's quite possible for people without either a ticket or a van to be in those fields.