Thank you both.
I have been devouring youtube videos and Id certainly like to be armed with knowledge of what i want, need, and/or could do myself - and I do believe a lot of it is not necessarily super hard, but at the same time - We learn from our mistakes, so experience does have value. Particularly when it comes to cutting and drilling into a vehicle. I have no tools and zero experience with stuff like this, although i have successfully assembled numerous big ticket items from ikea without the typical requisite nervous breakdown.
I was thinking about doing solar myself, too, MotorVation. The flexible ones can go on with adhesive and that install doesnt seem too cumbersome.
I have two dogs that are coming with me so their safety is my number one concern and all of the priorities are based around them (having a reliable roof vent fan) and maybe even installing a window ac for times with shore power (i plan on volunteering at a lot of state parks)
My goal is to have a van by spring (im currently in the baby steps mode right now of dreaming of life outside of the cubicle). Ive done world nomading before, just wandering around the globe to wherever the cheapest ticket was. Being free from job crud, even if just for a year or two, feels like a calling - and id like to contribute to the greater good in the process.