Exploring The Benefits Of Adding Solar Power To Your RV | RecPro

We are all aware of how RVing is a fantastic way to see the country and enjoy the outdoors. But, if you're like most RV owners, you may want to avoid being tethered to a campground with electrical hookups all the time. That's where solar power can come in handy. Solar power systems can give you the freedom to "boondock" – or dry camp – for extended periods.

There are many benefits to adding solar power to your RV. Solar can help you save money on your camping costs; it’s good for the environment and can provide you with a backup power source in an emergency. This blog post will explore some of the reasons RVers are opting to go solar.

Solar Panels are Great for Powering Your RV & Saving on Energy Costs

Solar power has been touted as one of the most cost-efficient and eco-friendly energy sources, especially for RV owners. Solar panels are a great way to power your RV, allowing you to break free from the grid and camp off-grid. Solar panels can significantly reduce your energy costs over time, as they harvest energy from the sun to provide enough power for everyday uses.

A significant selling point for solar setups is that the energy they generate over their lifespan will more than cover the initial investment cost. Solar panels are also relatively easy to install, with no special expertise needed. Combining solar panels with a battery bank and an inverter will ensure consistent power even when interruptions in sunshine occur. Solar panels are a great choice when it comes to powering your RV—they save money on energy costs in the long run and helping to reduce your carbon footprint simultaneously.

Here is a resource that goes over the basic components of any solar power system.

How much do you plan to rely on solar power?

Solar power is becoming a popular option for an RV as a primary source, as a backup to shore power or for emergencies. When attempting to maximize the effectiveness of your solar panel setup, there are several factors that you should consider.

Foremost would be deciding whether you want to have it as a backup power source or as an alternative for shore power. The size of your solar array would depend on your desired target for energy consumption. Your power consumption can be calculated with a Kill-a-Watt meter or the like, or there are many online calculators to help in sizing your rig. The solar inverter output rating must match the size of the array, battery bank, and your unique power needs.

Solar systems are simple to install and require little maintenance.

Solar power systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their mechanical simplicity and long-term benefits. Installing them requires minimal effort, and they are extremely low maintenance; occasional cleaning of the array is all that is needed. Solar panel systems can be mounted in many ways; both portable and permanent array options are available depending on what best suits your needs. These traits make solar arrays & power systems a great DIY project, though there are many options to have the systems professionally installed if this electrical work is a bit out of your wheelhouse.

With a few relatively minor adjustments to your RV, you can quickly reduce your dependence on conventional energy sources while harvesting a renewable power source to generate reliable electricity in the long term.

Here are a couple of the options that RecPro carries. All-in-one kits also exist, though it is more common to source your batteries separately.

Solar power is both an environmentally and wallet-friendly way to power your RV.

Solar-powered or solar-augmented RVs are becoming increasingly popular due to the fact that they are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to power your RV.

Prices of solar setups falling to a level where it makes financial sense to invest - is a reasonably recent development, thanks in part to efficiency increases in the field of Photovoltaic Cell tech (PV) and the emergence and fine-tuning of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) battery technologies over the last decade or so.

Not only does converting your RV to solar help reduce your carbon footprint, but free energy from the sun is also available for use at no extra cost – ensuring a quick return on investment. Current solar technologies make use of photovoltaics and bulk energy storage to allow for efficient energy production and effective maintenance with minimal impact on the environment. Converting your RV to solar can provide you with a low-impact and reliable energy source, allowing you to travel far and wide without sacrificing comfort.

Solar panels can increase the value of your RV.

Retrofitting your RV with solar panels can give you a return on investment above and beyond energy savings. Not only do solar panels grant access to reliable energy, but the bonus of increasing the resale value of your RV is worth considering. Do a bit of research, and you'll find that retrofitting with solar can be a vital part of your long-term stake in an RV, adding tremendous value.

Not only can retrofitting save you money short-term by reducing expenses related to alternative methods of powering your RV, but it also serves as an efficient and effective way to increase the value of your RV when it comes time to sell.

Solar power is an excellent way to make an eco-friendly and cost-effective investment for your RV. If you are considering making the switch to solar, installation is simple and requires little maintenance. Solar can serve as your primary or backup source of power, giving you peace of mind on those long road trips. Not only does solar power help save you money & expand the areas available for camping, but it also increases the value of your RV.

This has been a general overview of the benefits of solar power & if you found it interesting, check back in the future for blogs that will focus and break down each specific part of a solar power system.

Do you have a solar power setup on your RV? Tell us about your experiences using it down in the comments!