This Rockpals panel folds up to 17 by 15 inches and weighs only nine pounds, making it the most lightweight option we recommend. For anyone looking to install their first RV solar panels on their own, this kit is an excellent pick. The aluminum frame panels are UV- and corrosion-resistant to withstand high winds, rain, snow, and blazing heat. The indicators on these panels also alert you to input changes due to weather conditions like rain, clouds, or nightfall. Pro tip: Regulating the amount of energy flowing into the battery reduces the risk of overcharging, overloading, and short-circuiting. The included charge controller has LED indicators that let users monitor the status of their Renogy setup. The two 100-watt solar panels are rigid, but relatively lightweight at 18 pounds, and the included Z brackets and pre-drilled holes on the hardware make mounting easy atop any RV or van. This setup works best for small to medium set-ups like Sprinter vans, camper trailers, and medium-sized RVs. (It doesn’t include a battery, though most kits don’t.) It’s made especially for those who have never installed solar panels, so the components are straightforward and user-friendly. This kit has almost everything needed for easy installation on any RV or camper. Here are out top picks for RV solar panels to keep you powered up and on the road. After pooling together the top products, we scoured user reviews to ensure that the quality and efficiency of these solar panels adheres to the performance the manufacturers promise. We considered the different uses for RV solar panels, ultimately presenting a range of options that work for different RV electrical needs. To choose the best RV solar panels, we used our expertise from testing and recommending solar power generators, as well as reviews from other travel outlets like Treehugger and SolarReviews. The efficiency rate is a better sign of how well the solar panel works-the best ones are 23 percent or higher. Keep in mind product descriptions describe watts in optimal conditions-sunny day, no shade, no clouds-and typically pull less than this. We recommend you start small and expand to more wattage if needed as multiple panels can be wired together for more energy. 100 watts will power a small fridge along with a toaster and coffee maker, but if you have a full on electric stove, a fridge, and multiple appliances, you’ll need more power. Most RV and camper rigs require 100 to 500 watts of solar power depending on what you need powered. Some portable picks have features like integrated kickstands and handles to make setting them up at the optimal angle as smooth as possible, no matter where you’ve posted up for the night. They are scratch-resistant and can handle a light shower, but they’re not meant to stay outside permanently and will get damaged if you do so. Portable solar panels fold up for compact storage, designed for easy set-up and tear-down from site to site. Mountable RV solar panels are more durable than portable ones, fit with waterproofing and wind resistance, since they are always outside braving the elements. Mountable panels come with hardware and instructions for self-installation, like our best overall pick from Renogy. Flexible panels are ideal if you’re mounting on a curved or uneven surface, but if your RV is flat up top, a rigid panel will work just fine.ĭecide whether you want to mount your panels or go the portable route. This matters when deciding where you are going to use your panels and whether or not you plan on mounting them permanently on top of your RV or camper. Solar panels come in rigid and flexible models. Monocrystalline is more efficient so we only recommend this type. Monocrystalline panels use a single silicon crystal to capture solar energy, while polycrystalline panels rely on multiple silicon crystal fragments. The two most common solar panel materials are monocrystalline and polycrystalline. RV solar panels come in different sizes and wattages for various needs, and you can even buy adjustable ones for paring down or expanding to suit the trip at hand. Staying powered up without worry requires an easily-renewable energy source, and the best option is kitting out your home on wheels with some RV solar panels.Īlong with solar power generators, solar panels are a quiet alternative for keeping your appliances working without lugging around spare gas cans or stopping at the gas station to fuel up for your traditional generator. With your RV or camper, you aren’t beholden to campsites or parks with electricity hookups-but that means drawing from your limited battery or gas supply if you want the fridge and toaster to work. Just because you want to go off the grid for extended periods of time doesn’t mean you want to give up all of your creature comforts.
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