AE Supplies Solar PV Awnings at The Western Motorhome and Campervan Show

Shade is one of the first things people look for when they pitch up, but power is never far behind. At The Western Motorhome & Campervan Show in Malvern, visitors will be able to see a touring accessory that brings both together in one neat installation.

AE Supplies will showcase its lightweight solar awnings at Stand 20A at the Three Counties Showground from 21 to 23 August 2026. The display will feature two models, an 825Wp awning in a 3.2m length and a 440Wp awning in a 2.2m length. Both are designed to provide useful shade while also helping generate solar power for a touring set-up.

The awnings roll away into a cassette and operate with a motorised key fob, giving visitors a chance to see how the system works in person rather than judging it from a brochure or product photo.

A practical stand visit for motorhome and campervan owners

The Western Motorhome & Campervan Show draws people who want to compare touring ideas in a hands-on setting. That makes it a useful place to inspect fittings, ask questions, and see how equipment feels in real scale.

Solar products can be hard to judge online. Panel output, mounting position, cable routing, weight, and day-to-day use all raise practical questions. An awning adds another layer because it is not only a power product. It is also part of the living space outside the vehicle.

At Stand 20A, visitors can see how the awnings extend, how they retract into the cassette, and how the motorised control works. That matters because ease of use often decides whether an accessory gets used every day or only when conditions are perfect.

A Solar PV Awning also gives people a different way to think about roof and side-mounted equipment. Many motorhomes and campervans already carry roof lights, satellite equipment, rails, vents, and sometimes roof-mounted solar panels. A side-mounted awning with integrated PV gives another option where the main use is shade, but the surface also helps create energy.

The show setting is ideal for comparing that idea against real touring habits. Some people spend most of their time on sites with hook-up. Others like rallies, off-grid stops, farms, festivals, showgrounds, and quieter places where energy planning becomes more important. Seeing the awning in person helps each visitor judge whether it suits their style of travel.

The two awning options on display

The display will focus on two sizes. The larger model offers 825Wp and measures 3.2m. The smaller model offers 440Wp and measures 2.2m.

Model on display	Length	Stated output	Notable feature
Larger solar awning	3.2m	825Wp	More shaded area and higher stated PV output
Smaller solar awning	2.2m	440Wp	Shorter length for more compact touring set-ups

The Wp figure stands for watts peak. It describes the rated power output under standard test conditions. Real-world output will vary by sunlight, season, angle, shading, installation, and the wider electrical system on the vehicle.

That variation is normal for solar. A bright summer day in an open pitch will not match a grey day with trees nearby. A panel surface that catches strong sun will perform differently from one partly shaded by buildings, branches, or another vehicle.

The useful point is that the awning surface can do two jobs at once. It gives a shaded area beside the vehicle and uses the exposed surface to help generate electricity. For touring, that can support common low-voltage needs when paired with the right battery, controller, and electrical set-up.

It is not a replacement for sensible energy planning. It is a way to add generation in a place that already has a clear purpose.

The awning surface is intended to help generate energy while it is extended.

Why shade and solar work well together

A traditional awning improves comfort around a motorhome or campervan. It gives cover for chairs, a table, cooking gear, shoes, bikes, dogs, or simply a quiet place to sit out of direct sun. On warm days, it can also reduce glare and help keep the area near the side door more comfortable.

Solar generation tends to be most useful in the same conditions. When the sun is strong enough to make shade valuable, it is also strong enough to support PV output.

That pairing is the simple appeal. The awning does not take a piece of equipment used once in a while and ask it to justify itself. It adds generating potential to something many tourers already understand.

There are a few everyday situations where the idea makes clear sense:

• A hot afternoon on site

  
  

The awning creates a more comfortable seating area while the PV surface is exposed to daylight.

• A rally or show weekend

  
  

Where hook-up may be limited or not part of the plan, extra generation can help reduce pressure on the leisure battery.

• A touring pitch with limited roof space

  
  

The side awning surface can add useful area where the roof is already busy with vents, skylights, or other kit.

• A compact campervan set-up

  
  

A shorter 2.2m awning may suit a smaller vehicle where full-length fittings are less practical.

Like all awnings, it still needs sensible use. Wind, heavy rain, pitch layout, nearby trees, and site rules can affect when it should be deployed. Visitors should ask about safe operation, recommended use, and how the cassette, fixings, and electrical parts are intended to work with different vehicles.

The motorised key fob makes use simple

One detail in the show announcement stands out because it relates to daily use. The awnings roll into the cassette at the touch of a motorised key fob.

That may sound small, but convenience matters. If an awning is awkward, people hesitate to open it for shorter stops. If it is simple to extend and retract, it becomes part of the rhythm of touring.

A motorised system can be useful when stopping for lunch, setting up after a long drive, or bringing the awning back in before leaving the pitch. It can also make the awning feel less like a separate task and more like part of the vehicle.

The cassette design matters too. When retracted, the awning stores neatly against the vehicle. That helps protect the equipment when travelling and keeps the exterior tidy. At the show, visitors can look at the size of the cassette, how the fabric rolls away, and how the extended awning sits alongside the vehicle.

These details are much easier to understand in person. Photos rarely show the full sense of scale, clearance, and movement.

What to ask at Stand 20A

A show visit is most useful when the right questions are ready. Solar and awning installations both depend on the vehicle, so the best answer is often specific to the touring set-up.