few questions about solar power....

The "optimum" solar only A/C system probably uses a "smart VFD" and "solar aware" controller+software.

Basically, only "turn on" when there is enough solar energy (don't try to run if there is insufficient solar energy).

Once the controller is awake, then decide if there is enough solar energy to run the fan and compressor. Figure out how much solar energy and start the VFD at a low frequency (both to "soft start" the motors, and to only run the motors at a speed to not exceed the solar array's power capacity. As more solar becomes available, then run the frequency to the motors to increase their RPM (as needed--only run at RPM needed for cooling demand at that moment in time).

Note that (again guessing), the fan and compressor motors are "permanent magnet motors" and NOT Induction Motors...  PM motors are more efficient as the "rotors" are already magnetized, vs an induction motor that uses the rotating magnetic field (from the field coils) to induce (or induct) a current in the rotor--The induced current creates a magnetic field in the rotor which interacts with the rotating magnetic field from the field coils to "drag" the rotor and spin the motor shaft--This costs something like 10% or so of the power used by an induction motor.

Also be aware that VFD usually are 3 phase (or more) output. A single phase magnetic field does not "rotate" unless you use (for example) a motor start/motor run capacitor and a second set of field coils to create a rotating field. A 3 phase motor on the other hand, natively has a rotating field and does not need/use capacitors (or other methods) to artificially create a rotating field. PM motors are generally(?) going to be poly phase motors.... A quick motor guide:

https://www.machinedesign.com/motors-drives/article/21831709/whats-the-difference-between-ac-induction-permanent-magnet-and-servomotor-technologies

Here is a very nice Danfoss DC powered (with internal VFD) refrigeration compressor (and presumably PM motor)--Note some of these are designed to run directly from solar arrays::

https://www.danfoss.com/en-us/products/dcs/compressors/compressors-for-refrigeration/direct-current-compressors/#tab-overview

Note too that a solar aware VFD basically has a MPPT DC front end to optimally deal with the solar array's electrical characteristics. The information from the MPPT front end of the VFD is used by the controller to optimally feed energy (voltage, current, frequency) to the motors.

-Bill

If you can wire up your panel(s) to the vehicle battery pack with the appropriate charge controller--That is the most efficient and least number of things that can fail.

Otherwise, you can have a second pure solar power system (panel=>controller=>battery bank=> AC inverter=>AC charger=>vehhcle battery bank) would probably be an "easier" solution using "off the shelf" pants. Plus you can also use the solar power system + AC inverter + any DC loads and not affect your vehicle battery bank state of charge.

Of course, this costs you the money, weight, and space for the extra battery bank, charge controller, AC inverter, etc.

-Bill

Well.... There can be another solution. Some (few, many?} AC powered equipment can take (roughly) up to 380 VDC. This is the peak to peak voltage of a 240 VAC sine wave form.

Most modern AC (and computer, etc.) systems that used AC input and DC output (VFD, and other non-induction motor systems. This is a very common capability of "power factor corrected" power supplies (an whole other detailed history of how/why this was done.

In fact, this "native capability" has been leveraged (or at least suggested to be leveraged) DC power systems for data centers:

https://www.datacenterknowledge.com/energy-power-supply/380v-dc-power-shaping-the-future-of-data-center-energy-efficiency

So, it is possible that you could find/purchase DC powered A/C systems that could take your EV van's high voltage battery bus power directly.

Now--This is a very complex subject--Need to verify the DC capability of an A/C system (or a computer, etc.). Also, there are lots of safety issues with running a high voltage DC power connection (fire, shock, etc.). And would also need to understand how the battery bank system "protects itself" against taking the battery bank to "dead" and destroying the bank.

Not suggesting that this is a "good" solution for your needs--More or less, just showing you that, with engineering knowledge, Conceivably, there are off the shelf modern electronic A/C products that could take something like 134 VDC to 380 VDC without modifications.

In the case of your exact question--You could only have a 230 VAC output from a DC to AC Inverter... And that AC inverter would need to be capable of taking energy from your high voltage DC battery pack (not necessarily a common off the shelf product).

-Bill

Basically, many AC systems that use some sort of AC input power supply (computers, permanent magnet motors such as those in electric cars, machining centers, etc.)--This are commonly called "inverter" based A/C systems

Some of these 230 VAC (120-240 VAC) power supplies basically turn the AC input (say 240 VAC) into 380 VDC internally--Then use that high voltage DC to down converter into whatever power is needed by the device (A/C mini-split, computer electronics, etc.).

Instead of feeding 240 VAC into the power supply and the power supply (internally) converts to 380 VDC--Instead, just feed 380 VDC directly into the power supply and skip the 240 VAC completely.

I am not saying that you can do this (without a lot more knowledge and money)--But for a large company, this could be done. This how they can used a 380 VDC battery/power system and skip the whole AC to DC conversion that occurs inside the power supply.

-Bill

I really do not have any easy answers... For example, here is a company that says they are making "the first" Solar DC to EV plug controller... Due "soon" with a deposit for early shipment. This is for a larger solar array (300-600 VDC or so) and will cost nearly $2,500 (+/-???).

https://enteligent.com/products/enteligent™-tlcev-t1-trusted-charging-presale

Here is a white paper talking about a solar DC to EV system (not sure if looking for inverters, or a college project or what):

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-69254-1

It is not easy to follow, but does give an idea of what the complexity could be.

Otherwise, your two basic options are to 1) contact the vehicle mfg. and see if they have a solar charging option, or 2) the "typical" method is to build a solar->battery-bank to store the energy and then use a DC to AC inverter to convert to 120 or 230 VAC, and then charge the vehicle with a compatible AC charger... Here is one company that does this with a portable system:

https://blog.ecoflow.com/us/guide-to-electric-vehicle-solar-panel-charging/

This is not cheap.

-Bill