RV Solar Panels

There are many benefits to install recreational vehicle (RV) solar panels. The most important one is you can go further without having to worry or plan to stop at the next RV Park to charge your batteries. This may be obvious. But when you can’t find an RV park to recharge your batteries for the night, you can get pretty frustrated.

More and more full time RVers are planning to install solar panels on their vehicles so they can reap the full benefits of using solar energy to power up their equipment in their recreational vehicles.

Before you decide to buy a solar energy kit to hook up onto your recreational vehicle, there are a few points you need to work out. The first and most important step is to determine your total energy needs. This affects the number of solar panels you’ll need to buy and the batteries and size of inverter you need to have.

In order to size your solar energy system, you’ll have to make calculations with considerations to the energy you’ll use in a typical day. After sizing your required solar power system, you can then know if you have enough space inside your RV for the batteries and inverter.

You’ll also need to consider having a backup generator in case the worst happens…and these situations occur from time to time.

If the solar power system is too big to fit into your RV, the best solution is to reduce your energy consumption. Some practical electricity-saving advice given by fellow RVers are as follows:

- Avoid cold places that needs extensive furnace use
- Never fall asleep with the TV on
- Always switch off lights and equipment when not in use
- Do not leave any lights on throughout the night

You may also want to consider using a catalytic heater, as this does not require electricity. Since heaters would otherwise consume a large part of your solar generated electricity, this may help you get away with a smaller solar energy system.

You may also be wondering how much it costs to install a complete RV solar panel system. Depending on the quality of your solar panels, batteries and inverter, an approximate cost for each complete panel system is about (more or less) $500.

You may choose to buy a portable solar panel to charge your batteries and see if using solar panels suits your way of life. Very soon, you may be hooked to it. Then you’ll experience for yourself the benefits you can only experience with a set of RV solar panels installed on your recreational vehicle.

Continue Reading:

1. Solar Energy Panels For Big “Toys”
2. Recreational Vehicle (RV) Solar Panels — Run Your Appliances With A 12VDC Panel
3. Solor Panel Inverters – Multifunction Solar Panel Inverters