Have the freedom to enjoy RV camping anywhere you want with a reliable RV solar panel that supplies all the power you need. Without the noise and unwanted emission, getting a solar panel is a wise decision to make. Check out our top choices for the best RV solar panels perfect for your rigs.
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How Does An RV Solar Panel Work?
Solar panels are made up of individual “solar cells”, and these cells are responsible for converting sunlight into energy(electricity) which can be used to run the devices and appliances inside your RV.
The process starts when the sunlight hits the solar panels which then creates an electric current. Electric current passes through the charge controller which regulates the amount of current that goes into the battery. Direct current( DC) electricity charges the battery and by using an inverter DC is converted to AC power. AC is the type of electricity that runs several appliances inside your RVs.
What To Consider When Buying RV Solar Panels?
Picking out the best solar panels for your rigs is easy if you know what to look for. Here are the most important factors to consider so you only get the best and most efficient solar panels for your RVs.
- Weight and size– Choosing the correct size and weight of solar panels would depend on where you would secure them and what type of RVs you own. You don’t want to get something that’s too big and heavy for your RVs to take.
- Amount of power you need- To buy the right solar panel, you should know first how much power you will be needing.
Here is an example to help you determine how much power each appliance will consume; Let’s say you have one TV that consumes 80 watts, let’s assume that you use your TV 3 hours a day. 80 Watts x 3hours= 240 W/Hour is your daily consumption.
- Efficiency– See what type of solar panel that best suits your RVs. If you’ve money to spare and got limited roof space then a monocrystalline panel would be great. If you’re on a tight budget then go for amorphous or polycrystalline panels.
- Durability– Since solar panels are used outdoors, they are more prone to aging and wearing out. Choose a solar panel that made of high quality materials so you can use them for longer period of time.
- Voltage– Most RV solar panel kits run on 12V, 24V and 48V inputs which can be matched easily by using the solar panel in parallel and series configurations.
What Are the 3 Types Of Solar Panels?
Here are the three types of solar panels and their characteristics that differentiate them from one another.
- Monocrystalline Solar Panels– It is the oldest and most developed type of solar panel. They are considered to be the best RV solar panels and the most efficient because each solar cell is made from pure silicone using the Czochralski method. Monocrystalline cells also appear black due to how the sun interacts with pure silicone. Since it’s the purest, it is the most efficient and occupies less space. They are also more tolerant of higher temperatures and low light. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most expensive of the three.
- Polycrystalline Solar Panels– Poly Panels are a newer development, each polycrystalline cell is made from fragments of the silicon crystal melted together. Each polycrystalline cell appears bluish due to how sunlight reflects on the crystal.
- Amorphous (Thin Film) Solar Panels- The least expensive and least efficient type of solar panel. They are not always made of silicone and are made from a variety of materials or a photovoltaic substance that is applied to a substrate like glass.
Are Solar Panels Worth It On An RV?
Solar panels can be pricey but it’s definitely worth the investment. Here are some of the benefits of owning an RV solar panel.
- Freedom to travel: having a solar panel installed in your RVs allows you to travel anywhere you want with hookups or no hookups.
- Cost-effective: Unlike RV generators, Solar panels don’t need special maintenance and fuel to run efficiently, all you need is sunlight and you’re good to go.
- Clean and quiet: It does not burn fuel which can be harmful to the planet, and is not run by loud motors.
- They extend the life of your RV batteries: Solar panels increase RV battery life from 50% to 75% longer.
RV Solar Panel Installation
When it comes to the installation of RV solar panels you have two options, you can spend some cash and let the pros do it for you or you can do it yourself, ‘coz why not.
Installing an RV solar panel can be overwhelming especially for newbies, so here’s a great video to help you in installing your new investment.
What Are The Most Efficient RV Solar Panels?
Picking out the best RV solar panel can be challenging especially for first-time RVers and solar panel users. But now that you’re informed of the important things about choosing the right solar panels, here are our top recommendations to narrow down your choices.
Best RV Solar Panels
The Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts solar starter kit is designed for off-grid applications. Many RVers prefer this solar panel over the others due to its maximum efficiency attributed to its monocrystalline solar cells. It has an impressive amount of power output which can fully charge a 50Ah battery from 50% in 3 hours. This solar panel is made of a durable and corrosion-resistant aluminum frame that can last for decades.
This solar kit comes with the tools necessary for a new system: a Renogy 100W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Panel, a 30A PWM Wanderer Charge Controller, a 20ft 10AWG Solar Panel Connectors Adaptor Kit, an 8ft 10AWG Tray Cable, and a set of Z-brackets.
Pros- Reasonable price
- High solar cell efficiency
- Corrosion-resistant frames
- Equipped with multiple electronic protections; overcharging, overload, short-circuit, and reversed polarity
- Rapid, efficient, and safe battery charging
- Expandable
- Some users have issues with the controllers that are not working.
With a compact and sleek design, Mighty Max Battery polycrystalline solar panels are the perfect companion for your RV travels and other off-grid adventures. High-efficiency solar cells based on innovative photovoltaic technology allow for greater energy output. that is very impressive for its size.
These top-selling solar panels come with strong aluminum frames made to withstand weather conditions like high wind pressure and snow. You'll have no trouble installing them as they are lightweight and comes with pre-drilled holes on the back of the panel making them very easy to mount and secure in place.
It also comes with a pair of 35-inch cables with MC4 connectors already attached to the panel.
Pros- Fairly durable
- Can withstand high wind pressure and snow
- Easy and fast installation
- Compact design
- Inconsistent output of panels according to some users
The Renogy 400 Watt 12 Volt Premium is everything you need for a solar panel. Made up of monocrystalline solar cells, Renology premium is effective in delivering clean and reusable energy for RVs, caravans, boats, and other off-road applications. Included is the Rover Li 40A MPPT charge controller that features multi-phase synchronous rectification and Maximum Power Point Tracking technologies, which increase charging efficiency.
It also comes with a Bluetooth module that can be paired to the Renogy DC Home APP which allows users to remotely monitor and control the parameters. Aside from mounting it on top of RVs, They can also be installed in a ground mount system next to an off-grid campsite making it the perfect choice for whatever off-road adventure you want to do.
Predrilled holes make mounting quick and easy while the waterproof In-line fuse and ANL fuse components serve to protect your charge controller and battery.
Pros- Comes with 400 watts of power
- Easy and fast installation
- Bluetooth module allows you to remotely monitor it
- High efficiency
- Some users have issues with malfunctioning charge controllers
ALLPOWERS Solar Panel has up to 23.5% efficiency that can compete with monocrystalline panels in the market. With a bendable panel that can be curved to a maximum 30-degree arc, it can be mounted on an RV, boat, cabin, tent, car, trucks, trailers, or any other irregular surface.
It is one of the top choices because of its portability and convenience, It is water-resistant and weighs only 4.7lbs(2.15kg) making it very easy to transport and mount anywhere you go. It also features a unique frameless design and four metal reinforced mounting holes for quick installation.
Pros- Waterproof construction
- lightweight and portable
- Packs up to 100 W of power
- Highly efficient
- Can be mounted even on irregular surfaces
- Easy mounting and securing
- A bit pricey compared to other flexible solar panels
The HQST 12-volt 100-watt Polycrystalline Solar Panel is an affordable option when it comes to reusable energy. Weighing only 15.65lbs, this panel contains 64 efficient polycrystalline solar cells protected by anti-reflective, high transparency, low iron tempered glass with enhanced stiffness and impact resistance that can withstand high winds (2400 Pa) and snow loads (5400 Pa).
The back panel features a waterproof junction box and MC4 leads for easy use. You can use this panel or add more panels to create a greater power source. It is highly efficient due to the bypass diodes that minimize power drop caused by shade and ensure excellent performance in low-light environments.
It comes with predrilled holes and is compatible with different mounting systems such as Z-brackets, Pole Mounts, and Tilt Mounts.
Pros- Budget-friendly
- Allows adding of more solar panels
- Able to withstand heavy snow (5400Pa) and wind loads (2400Pa)
- High module efficiency
- Protection against environmental particles and low-pressure water jets
- Less efficient compared to monocrystalline solar panels
Another source of free and clean energy is the WindyNation 100 W polycrystalline solar panel. It is smartly designed for RVs, boats, cabins, and other off-grid applications providing an average of 350 Watt Hours (Wh) or 33 Amp hours of charge per day depending on the amount of sunlight.
It comes with an LCD PWM Solar Charge Controller that lets you adjust the settings and shows the system amperage, voltage, amp-hours, temperature, and DC load draw.
The Solar Panel kit includes (1) 100 Watt WindyNation Solar Panel, 30-Amp (user adjustable) WindyNation P30L LCD Display Solar Charge Controller with Battery Temperature Sensor, 40 feet of UL Listed 12 AWG Solar Cable, all necessary Connectors, solar panel mounting hardware, and Installation Manual.
Pros- Can be used for multiple off-grid applications
- Reasonable price
- Allows you to add more panels in the future
- Beginner-friendly
- Comes with easy to use charge controller
- Frames needs some improvement
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
The average lifespan of a solar panel is about 25-30 years. After decades of use, they will still be functional but expect that electricity production may decrease beyond their normal and guaranteed production output.
Can Solar Panel Charge Without Direct Sunlight?
Yes, Solar panels will charge without direct sunlight, as long as there is natural daylight. The solar panel will still work under a shade but expect that it will work at a lesser capacity.
Is My Solar Panel Weatherproof?
Solar Panels are made waterproof since they are used outdoors where rain is always a possibility. Although they are not weatherproof, manufacturers add varying levels of weatherproofing included in their solar panel kits like the brackets and controller.
Can you run an RV air conditioner with solar power?
With a big enough solar panel and a few electrical system upgrades, Yes it is possible to run an RV AC with a solar panel.
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