Travel halfway around the world to talk about camper van electrics? Sounds a little crazy, perhaps. But when it comes to the technology that will power our vehicles in the future, sometimes a longer journey is well worth making.
At the end of October, Willy, Nico and Sascha from our tigerTeam set off for China. The occasion was the international Off-Grid Conference 2026, hosted by our partner Renogy. Their itinerary included visits to Renogy’s headquarters in Suzhou, its manufacturing facilities in Wuxi, and plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas with Renogy teams and partners from around the world.
It was another opportunity to see the quality of Renogy’s development and manufacturing processes firsthand – and to share our experience from the German camper van market directly with the people developing the technology of tomorrow.
From the initial idea to the finished product
If you’re interested in camper van electrics, you’ve probably come across Renogy already. From solar panels and lithium batteries to charge controllers, the manufacturer offers a wide range of components for mobile power systems.
But what actually goes on behind the scenes?
Our first stop was Renogy’s headquarters in Suzhou, home to teams working in research and development, product management, marketing, sales and customer service.
One thing we’re particularly interested in is how these different departments work together. After all, having a great product idea is only the beginning. What matters in the end is whether the finished product actually works in a vehicle – under real-world conditions and without making installation unnecessarily complicated.
That’s where practical feedback makes all the difference. Experiences shared by customers, dealers and professional installers from different countries feed directly into ongoing product development.
How are lithium batteries, chargers and solar panels made?
During their visit to the manufacturing facilities in Wuxi, Willy, Nico and Sascha had the chance to see for themselves how individual components become the technology we eventually install in our camper vans and motorhomes.
Of course, Renogy’s manufacturing operations were nothing new to tigerexped. Before starting our partnership with Renogy, we had already taken a close look at the production methods and quality assurance processes on site. After all, we want to know exactly what we’re adding to our product range.
For the three team members on this trip, however, it was their first opportunity to experience the production facilities in person.
The visit covered the manufacturing of lithium batteries, solar panels, chargers and inverters. They also got a firsthand look at the testing laboratories, quality control procedures and the processes involved in preparing products for shipment. Particular attention was given to the Renogy PRO and REGO product lines, which have been developed for specialist retailers and professional applications.
When it comes to components you need to rely on while travelling, taking a closer look behind the scenes is particularly worthwhile. Because it’s not just the technical specifications on paper that matter – it’s how reliably the equipment performs under the changing conditions of everyday travel.
What does a camper van electrical system really need?
Of course, the trip wasn’t just about looking around offices and production facilities.
The conference brought together Renogy partners from Europe, the USA, Australia, South Africa, Japan and China. And one thing quickly became clear: what works perfectly in one country isn’t necessarily the best solution everywhere else.
Different vehicles, conversion preferences, technical requirements and regulations all present manufacturers with very different challenges.
And we weren’t just there to listen:
tigerexped also took to the stage at the conference, bringing our own perspective to the international discussions.
Because we don’t just know the products – we also know the questions, expectations and challenges that you, our customers and professional vehicle converters share with us every day. Being able to discuss these experiences directly with the manufacturer and other international partners is an important part of our collaboration.
It means we don’t just get an early look at upcoming developments. We also have the opportunity to help shape them.
After all, it’s often the little practical details that determine whether installing a product is a pleasure or an unnecessary headache.
And that’s exactly why having a direct connection to the people developing this technology is so valuable.
And while you’re in China…
…you might as well explore a little!
Alongside the appointments at Renogy, there was also time to discover Shanghai and Suzhou. Suzhou in particular offered a fascinating mix of historic neighbourhoods and modern city life.
There was plenty of time for personal conversations with international partners, too. After all, some things are simply easier to discuss outside a conference room.
What are we bringing home from China?
Above all, an even stronger connection with the people behind the products.
For us, working with Renogy means much more than simply adding new products to our range. We want to understand how the technology is developed, what it’s capable of and where it could be even better for our customers.
That also means sharing our real-world experience with the manufacturer.
Because ultimately, it’s not about packing as much technology as possible into a camper van. It’s about having a reliable power system that actually matches your needs.
And that’s exactly what makes visits like this so worthwhile.
A big thank you to the Renogy team for the invitation, the behind-the-scenes insights and all the interesting conversations!
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