Coming soon: pre-booking now open
Double your solar. Same roof.
Our slide-out solar rack fits two full size panels into the roof space of one. Drive with the second panel tucked away and locked, then slide it out when you park up for over 900W of solar on a medium wheelbase van.
- 900W2 x 450W panels
- 2xthe solar of a standard MWB roof
- 0motors or electronics to fail
First kits arrive at the end of December, with launch installs from January 2027.
The problem
Your roof runs out before your power needs do.
A medium wheelbase roof is prime real estate. Once the roof fan, skylight and aerial are in, most MWB vans top out at around 450 to 500W of solar. That is fine in June. In October, with a fridge, a diesel heater, laptops and a Starlink all drawing from the battery, it is not.
No room for another panel
Fans, skylights and aerials take the space a second full size panel would need.
UK sun is not Spanish sun
Flat roof panels in Britain make a fraction of their summer output from October to March. More panel area is the only real fix.
Off-grid trips cut short
Batteries that do not refill mean hook-up sites, idling the engine or heading home early.
The fix
Two full size panels. One panel's worth of roof.
The slide-out rack stacks a second 450W panel on heavy-duty aluminium rails above the first. Drive with it tucked away and locked. When you park up, slide it out to the side and your array doubles to 900W.
- Park up Check the side of the van is clear of trees, walls and neighbours.
- Slide it out from the ground Release the latch with the extendable hook pole and pull. No ladder needed.
- Push it home before you drive It latches itself with a stainless spring lock and sits low and secure.
Built for the road
Simple engineering that just works.
- Heavy-duty aluminium rails with stainless steel locks
- Fully mechanical: no motors, wiring looms or control boards
- Spring-loaded latch locks the panel for travel
- Extendable hook pole included, so you operate it from the ground
- Panels wired permanently into your system, nothing to plug in at camp
- Built to withstand motorway speeds when retracted
What it means for you
How much more power, month by month?
Pick a month to compare a standard 450W roof with the 900W slide-out rack.
Standard MWB roof
0 kWh
per average day, about 0Ah at 12V
Slide-out rack, deployed
0 kWh
per average day, about 0Ah at 12V
The extra panel adds about 0 kWh a day. That is roughly:
- 0days of a 12V compressor fridge
- 0laptop charges
- 0minutes of induction cooking
Across a whole year, the extra panel adds roughly 0 kWh of free power.
Estimates only. Based on typical average daily output for panels lying flat on a van roof in southern England, after system losses. Real output depends on weather, shading, where in the UK you are and how you park. Fridge 0.45kWh a day, laptop charge 0.07kWh, induction hob at 1.8kW.
Your options
Ways to get more solar on a MWB van
| Feature | Bigger fixed panel | Portable solar blanket | Slide-out rack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar on a MWB roof | Around 450 to 500W | Roof plus 100 to 200W | 900W |
| Setup at each stop | None | Unpack, angle, cable in, pack away | Slide out from the ground |
| Permanently wired in | Yes | Cable through a door or window | Yes |
| Secure when you walk away | Yes | Easy to walk off with | Locked to the roof |
| Uses the roof you already have | Limited by fans and skylights | Uses the ground | Doubles the same footprint |
Installed, not posted
What your quote covers
2 x 450W panels
High efficiency monocrystalline panels sized for the rack.
Slide-out rack kit
Aluminium rails, spring latch, strike bracket and hook pole.
Wired into your system
Sealed roof entry, cabling and a charge controller check. Any upgrade you need is in the quote.
Professional fitting
Fitted in our Gosport workshop by the Van Junkies team, with your system tested before you drive away.
Step 1
Get your free installed quote
Tell us about your van and roof. Nick will come back with a fitted price for your build, including any controller or cabling upgrades.
Questions
Slide-out solar rack FAQs
Can I buy the kit and fit it myself?
No. The slide-out rack is sold fully installed only. It is fixed through the roof, needs a sealed cable entry and has to be wired into a charge controller sized for 900W. We would rather fit every one ourselves and stand behind the workmanship.
Is it safe to drive with?
Yes, once it is retracted. The sliding panel locks in place with a stainless spring latch and sits low on the roof for travel. Always retract and lock it before you drive. Never drive with the panel slid out.
How do I slide it out?
Park up, then use the supplied extendable hook pole from the ground to release the latch and pull the panel out along the rails. Push it back in and it latches itself. No ladder, no motors and no electronics to go wrong.
Will it fit my van?
It is designed for medium wheelbase vans such as the Sprinter, Crafter, Transit, Ducato, Boxer, Relay, Master and Movano, and can suit other vans where roof space is tight. Roof fans, skylights, aerials and roof bars all affect the layout, which is why we quote every van individually. Send us a photo of your roof with your quote request.
Do I need a new solar charge controller?
Possibly. 900W of solar needs a controller sized for it, and on a 12V system that is usually larger than the one fitted for a single roof panel. We check your existing system and include any controller or cabling upgrade in your quote, so there are no surprises.
Does the panel stick out past the side of the van?
Yes. When it is slid out, the second panel sits out past the side of the van, so check for trees, walls and neighbouring vans before deploying. It also throws a little welcome shade.
How much power will I actually get?
It depends on the time of year, the weather and where you park. Use the calculator on this page for an estimate based on panels lying flat on the roof in southern England. Summer days can bring several kWh, and the extra panel matters most in spring, autumn and winter when every watt counts.
When can I get one?
First kits arrive at the end of December, with launch installs from January 2027. Launch install slots are booked in the order deposits come in, and we will contact you to arrange a date.
How does the deposit work?
Secure one of the first launch install slots. Your deposit comes off the final installed price. If we cannot fit your van, or you change your mind before your install date is booked, we refund it in full.
Where is it fitted?
In our workshop at Daedalus Business Park, Gosport, Hampshire, by the Van Junkies team.
Double your solar without losing your roof.
First kits arrive at the end of December, with launch installs from January 2027.