That doesn’t stop us wanting to view our favourite TV programmes and we certainly need light and all the other benefits of electrical power.

Solar panels are an obvious and green way to supply your electrical needs, but there is always the question as to how big a solar panel you buy. The Club produces an excellent data sheet about solar power but nothing can give you a definitive answer for your particular needs. There are so many variables, including the weather.

Vision Plus has made your choice easier with their modular system – you can start with as little as a 40 watt master panel. Need more power? No problem, the master panel comes with a charge controller unit that can handle another three add on panels to give a system totalling 160 watts if required.

You may prefer to have the installation of the initial master panel undertaken professionally to deal with making the electrical connections to your battery system through the roof. However, the add-on panel installation does not require any drilling or special tools as they are designed to be bonded to the roof while the electrical connection is made via a sealed screw connector from the last installed panel. If in doubt do consult your local caravan or motorhome dealer and do remember not to overload your unit (each panel weighs 3.8kg).

The other advantage of this modular system is that if you have a cluttered roof with little clear space for a large panel these panels can be sited in between roof lights and other obstructions as required.

Vision Plus guarantees the cell output from the panels for 20 years and the charge controller can be connected up so when your leisure battery is fully charged, power will automatically be diverted to an auxiliary battery, which is especially useful for motorhomers to keep the vehicle battery topped up.

The master panel with charge controller, roof cable sealing gland and cables costs £179.99 and the add-on panels £119.99 each.