Solar panels are a key component of a solar power system and as such, they’re pretty important. Now, for most RVers, there are two main reasons why you might want to add solar panels and a solar power system. First, you want to change your house batteries through the slow, steady charge that comes with solas power. This will maximize the life of the batteries and help you enjoy more vacations before having to replace it. Second, you want to use solar power as your main source of power (or the power you use when not connected to shore power). Whether you’re at the campground or boondocking, having this renewable power source allows you to travel freely and even have a backup power source for emergencies. With solar power and the solar accessories on your side, you can go anywhere you’d like as long as the sun is shining.
What are the pros and cons of solar power and solar panels?
With anything, there are some pros and cons and solar power isn’t an exception. On the side of the pros, the list is pretty long. You can generate free power for the lifetime of the system. You won’t be tied down to one place due to power needs. It’s a cost-effective means of generating power. This power source is virtually inexhaustible, even in the winter months. It’s clean, quiet, and better for our planet and our ears (you won’t need to burn fuel for a generator or listen to it rumble when you’re trying to enjoy some peace and quiet). It doesn’t put off any bad smells or waste. RV solar systems are virtually maintenance-free, with no moving parts, no recurring costs like fuel, and an easy-to-care-for system. You just clean it occasionally. Solar power extends the life of your batteries as well. Finally, solar power allows you to freely travel to enjoy living in natural settings with amazing and breathtaking views.
On the other hand, there are some cons. Solar power does tend to be more costly to set up initially when compared to a generator. Depending on the system you choose, you may have to mount it to your rig, which can require an RV mechanic to install. Solar power also is impacted by weather. While it will still get sun even on cloudy days, the amount of sun will be smaller, resulting in less power collected from the panels.
What are the parts needed for an RV solar power system?
There are five basic pieces to a solar power system: solar panels, a charge controller, a battery monitor, an inverter, and a wire harness. The solar panels create the energy. The charge controller regulates the flow of electricity to the batteries. The battery monitor keeps track of your battery levels. The inverter converts the DC power from the panels into AC power. The wire harness carries the charge from the panels to the batteries. For solar panels specifically, there are many different kinds.
Mono-crystalline panels are high-efficiency panels that produce more power in low-light conditions. Poly-crystalline panels are more popular and are smaller than mono-crystalline panels. Amorphous panels are made of a thin film and are the cheapest with a high-efficiency rate, however, they are about twice the size of the other two.
Flexible solar panels are lightweight and require less sun to produce power. They are also more streamlined and many people find them to be more pleasing to the eye. They take up a lot more space, though, and tend to have shorter lifespans than the other models. They also will need to install them to your roof, which means having a professional install it.
Rigid solar panels are hard and firmly fixed. They are more durable then flexible panels and can withstand more harsh conditions. They tend to have a lower installation cost as well due to the smaller size compared to the flexible models. They do weigh more than the flexible models and stick up from your roof more as well.
Portable solar kits are best for casual campers or tent campers. They allow you to get the most sunlight due to the mobility of the units and can be used even if your RV is in the shade. They can be used in addition to your solar system or alone.
How many solar panels do I need?
To determine what you need for your solar system, there are 4 steps.
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Determine your power needs. On your next camping trip, keep track of your battery power levels and how much energy you are using. For example, if you go camping for 2 days and you use 100 amp hours of your battery, then you use 50 amp hours per day. You can also determine how much you use per day by how much energy is used by the various systems in your rig. It’s definitely easier to simply monitor your energy use while camping, though. Once you have this number for your power needs, you can move on to the next step.
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Determine your storage needs. Once you know how much energy you use, you’ll need to figure out how many batteries you’ll need to hold all that power. For example, if you use 50 amp hours per day and generally camp for about 4 days, then you’ll need at least 200 amp hours of battery space. As a general rule of thumb, though, try and have more power than you need, with more battery capacity to store it. It’s a good idea to have a battery system that will hold 4 times your daily need at minimum. You can determine the amount of batteries needed by the type of battery you choose, for example, if you are using an average 12V battery that holds about 80 amp hours, you’re going to need three of these batteries to hold 240 amp hours. This will provide you with some wiggle room if your power needs add up to about 200 amp hours for 4 days.
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Determine your solar panel needs. Once you have the battery bank created, you’ll need the solar panels to fill them up with power. Every amp hour you need will require a ½ watt of solar panel power. In order to get this, the panel will require full sun with no shade. The goal of most RVers is to get at least 6 solid hours per day of full sunshine. Because it’s likely that you won’t be able to get full sun every day, though, it’s helpful to have a reserve panel to compensate for the lack of sun. Most people will need at least 2 panels for any system. So, if you have a solar panel with output power of about 190 watts, that will get you 360 amp hours in a day, provided you have full sun for at least 6 hours. If your power needs are to get 200 amp hours, then this amount will work well for you. If you have a higher power amount that you need, then you can get another solar panel or even add on a portable solar kit for those days where you need to adjust to get more sunlight.
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Get the rest of the system. Now that you know how much power you need, you have the battery bank to store it and the solar panels to create the power, you can get the remainder of your solar system. You’ll need a battery monitor if you don’t already have one, as well as an inverter, wiring harness, and charge controller.
Once you’re all set up, you can enjoy your new solar power system and the freedom it gives you!
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