This complete 200W off-grid solar charging kit pairs a high-output bifacial monocrystalline solar panel with the industry-leading Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 charge controller, giving caravans, motorhomes, boats and cabins a reliable way to keep a 12V leisure battery topped up without mains power. The bifacial cell technology captures sunlight on both the front and rear of the panel, harvesting extra reflected light from the ground or mounting surface to boost output by up to 20% compared with a standard single-sided panel of the same rating.
The panel is supplied pre-wired with 60cm of solar cable and MC4 connectors, with a further pair of 5m MC4 extension cables included to reach the SmartSolar controller wherever it's best sited, plus a mounting bracket set and fused battery cable to complete the installation. The controller then intelligently tracks the optimum power point to extract the maximum usable charge from the panel in all light conditions — including overcast and low-angle winter sun where bifacial gain matters most.
12/24V
Battery Compatibility
Informational — Bifacial Gain Depends on Mounting
The +20% bifacial yield uplift is only realised when the rear face of the panel can "see" reflected light — for example when mounted with an air gap over a light-coloured roof, deck or ground surface. Flush-mounting the panel directly onto a dark roof surface with no gap behind it will largely negate the bifacial benefit, so allow clearance for airflow and reflected light wherever possible.
Safety — Charge Controller Required
This solar panel must never be wired directly to a battery. The panel's open-circuit voltage will overcharge and damage an unregulated 12V battery. It must always be connected through the supplied Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 charge controller, which manages the charging profile safely.
Why This Kit Works Well Together
Bifacial Cells for More Real-World Yield
Standard panels waste the light that lands behind or around them. Capturing rear-side reflected light means the same roof space can generate meaningfully more energy across a typical touring season, particularly on light-coloured coachwork or decking.
True MPPT vs Basic PWM Regulation
The SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 continuously hunts for the panel's maximum power point rather than simply clamping voltage like a cheaper PWM controller, converting a larger share of the panel's rated output into usable battery charge — especially valuable on cloudy days when bifacial gain is at its highest relative contribution.
Multi-Busbar Cell Design
The panel's multi-busbar cell layout reduces internal resistance losses and extracts more current from the same physical cell area, helping the panel perform better in the warmer ambient temperatures often experienced on vehicle and boat roofs.
Bluetooth Monitoring Without Extra Hardware
The SmartSolar controller's built-in Bluetooth lets you check state of charge, charging stage and daily yield from the free VictronConnect app on a phone or tablet, with no separate display unit or monitoring shunt required.
Adaptive Multi-Stage Charging
A temperature-compensated bulk, absorption and float charging profile is applied automatically, protecting battery health over repeated charge cycles rather than simply pushing a fixed voltage at the battery regardless of its condition.
Compact Footprint for Limited Roof Space
At 1480 x 670mm, the panel is sized to suit the roof constraints typical of caravans, motorhomes and narrowboats, while the multi-busbar cell design keeps the physical panel size smaller than older-generation 200W panels of equivalent output.
Suitable For
- Motorhomes and campervans needing dependable off-grid charging for lighting, USB devices, water pumps and a small 12V TV.
- Caravans and static holiday homes that need a maintenance-free way to keep a leisure battery charged between trips.
- Canal boats, narrowboats and liveaboard vessels where quiet, fuel-free charging is preferred over running an engine or generator.
- Garden offices, sheds, cabins and small off-grid setups running from a single 12V battery bank.
- Installers and self-builders who want the added yield of bifacial technology combined with a proven Victron MPPT controller and Bluetooth monitoring.
What's Included
- 1 x 200W bifacial monocrystalline solar panel with 60cm pre-fitted solar cable and MC4 connectors (SWB-200M).
- 1 x Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 Retail charge controller with Bluetooth.
- 1 x Mounting set with 4 plastic corner brackets, 2 side brackets and a 3–7mm double-entry cable gland (SET_BR).
- 1 x pair of 5m 4.0mm² solar extension cables with MC4 connectors on one end and bare cable on the other, for connecting the panel to the charge controller (5QM40).
- 1 x 5m dual-core 6.0mm² battery cable with a 20A fuse fitted in a fuse holder, for connecting the charge controller to the battery (BCAB560FH).
Technical Specifications
| Solar Panel |
| Type |
Bifacial monocrystalline, multi-busbar cell design |
| Peak power (Pmax) |
200 W (power tolerance ±3%) |
| Voltage at max power (Vmp) |
22.45 V |
| Current at max power (Imp) |
8.91 A |
| Open-circuit voltage (Voc) |
26.29 V |
| Short-circuit current (Isc) |
9.41 A |
| Bifacial yield gain |
Up to +20% (mounting and surface dependent) |
| Dimensions (L x W x D) |
1480 x 670 x 30 mm |
| Weight |
10.5 kg |
| Cable / connectors |
2 x 60cm 4mm² single-core solar cable, male/female MC4 connectors pre-fitted |
| Construction |
Tempered glass (bifacial rear-transparent), anodised aluminium frame |
| Warranty |
5-year workmanship warranty; solar cells guaranteed at least 90% nominal power at 10 years and 80% at 25 years |
| SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 Charge Controller |
| Model |
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 Retail |
| Battery voltage |
12V or 24V (auto-select) |
| Rated charge current |
15 A |
| Nominal PV power (12V) |
Up to approx. 220 W |
| Nominal PV power (24V) |
Up to approx. 440 W |
| Maximum PV open-circuit voltage |
75 V |
| Peak efficiency |
Up to approx. 98% |
| Charge algorithm |
Three-stage adaptive (bulk, absorption, float), adjustable via VictronConnect |
| Communication |
Integrated Bluetooth and VE.Direct data port |
| Protection |
Over-temperature, PV reverse polarity, short-circuit, battery over-voltage |
| Enclosure rating |
IP43 (electronics), IP22 (connections) |
| Warranty |
Victron SmartSolar 5-year limited warranty |
Compatibility Note — Panel Voltage vs Controller Rating
A single panel from this kit runs well within the controller's 75V maximum PV input, giving headroom should the system later be expanded with a second panel in series. Always recalculate combined Voc against the controller's 75V limit — particularly in cold weather, when open-circuit voltage rises — before adding further panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really benefit from a bifacial panel on a caravan or motorhome roof?
Yes, though the gain varies with mounting. Raising the panel slightly off the roof on standard feet, rather than bonding it flush, allows reflected light to reach the rear cells and lets you capture more of the available bifacial gain. A white or light-coloured roof surface reflects more light than a dark one, further improving the effect.
Can this kit charge a 24V battery system?
The SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 auto-detects and supports both 12V and 24V battery banks. However, this panel is rated for 12V nominal use; for a 24V system you would typically wire two panels in series, keeping the combined open-circuit voltage safely under the controller's 75V limit.
Does this kit include everything needed to mount the panel?
Yes. The kit includes a mounting set with 4 plastic corner brackets, 2 side brackets and a 3–7mm double-entry cable gland for a weatherproof cable pass-through. Fitting the panel with a small air gap beneath it, where the mounting surface allows, is also recommended to help realise the bifacial yield benefit.
How do I monitor the system once it's installed?
The SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 has built-in Bluetooth, so you can pair it with the free VictronConnect app on a smartphone or tablet to view real-time charging data, battery voltage, daily energy yield and historical charging stage information — no separate display or shunt is required.
What size battery bank can this kit support?
A 200W panel through a 15A MPPT controller is well suited to leisure battery banks up to around 250Ah at 12V for light-to-moderate daily loads such as LED lighting, USB charging, water pumps and a small 12V TV. Larger banks or heavier daily loads may benefit from an additional panel.
Is the panel waterproof and suitable for permanent outdoor mounting?
Yes. The panel uses a sealed, tempered glass front, an anodised aluminium frame and a waterproof construction rated for permanent outdoor use in all UK weather conditions, making it suitable for year-round mounting on a vehicle roof, boat deck or cabin.
