Do you often travel in an RV and think of having a stable power source to give your adventure a fun and relaxed experience? Whether it’s about adding a camping air conditioner or enjoying a home-like feel in your RV, an RV solar panel kit is what you need to buy.
But determining what size of solar panel kit is enough for you isn’t an easy thing for all RVers. You’ll need a solar panel kit that’s neither bigger nor smaller than your energy requirements. Continue reading this guide for detailed information on factors you must know before buying an RV solar panel kit. So, without any further wait, let’s start with our guide.
What are RV Solar Panel Kit Components?
If you’re looking for an all-in-one power solution for your RV, an RV solar panel kit is the ultimate solution. Yet, do you know what makes a solar kit? An RV solar panel kit contains three main components to give you energy independence during your trips.
Let’s go through each component and understand its function.
1. Solar Panels
Being the main component of an RV solar panel kit, solar panels are the energy-making component. When sunlight falls on the photovoltaic cells in a solar panel, it is converted to direct current. This direct current then acts as the power source for your RV needs. Depending on the capacity of the solar panel and the power needs of your RV, you can buy a solar panel kit with only one or more solar panels.
2. Inverters
The current produced by a solar panel may sometimes need to be passed through an inverter. The reason is that if you need to run alternate current appliances with solar energy, you’ll need to convert the direct current into an alternate current produced by the solar panels. An inverter is a device that helps in converting current from DC to AC or vice versa.
3. Battery Packs
Solar panels cannot continuously produce the current 24 hours without sunlight at night. So there must be stored power for backup, and battery packs help to keep that extra energy. When considering what size and number of solar panels to buy, remember that they should be powerful enough to recharge the battery packs besides supplying power in the daytime.
How to determine RV Solar Panel Kit Size?
Don’t know what size of solar panel kit you should buy? Well, that’s a thing to worry about because it’s crucial to have a suitable-sized solar panel kit. To make things easier for you, here’s what you need to know for determining the right size of solar panel kit to make the right decision.
1. Power Consumption
The first step involves determining your power consumption, so here’s how you can calculate it.
- Note down all of the appliances that you will be using in your RV most frequently.
- Find out their exact wattage values from their packs or research their specifications on the internet.
- Sum up all the wattage, and you’ll get your total power consumption.
- Now consider the time for using each device and note it down on paper.
- Multiply these hours with the watts of the specific device, and you’ll get the watt-hours.
- By adding the watt-hours, you’ll know how many watt-hours are required from the solar panel kit, determining which solar panel kit you need.
2. Sunlight Hours
Different places have different sunlight hours, and the number of these hours determines how much power you’ll have in a day. The output of solar panels is measured in watt-hours units, and it is directly proportional to hours of sunlight availability. Knowing the sunlight hours, you can determine how many watt-hours would be produced by your solar panels in a day. Make sure this value is equivalent to the total power consumption that you’ve just calculated in the previous section.
3. Battery Capacity
The battery capacity is measured in ampere-hours. A 100 Ah battery at 12 volts would provide approx. 1200 Wh (it may vary depending on voltages). Considering these values you need to calculate how many batteries you’ll need to keep your RV powered up without losing the excitement of the adventure.
Another thing to notice here is that the more batteries you need will increase the number of solar panels required for your RV. If you are often on your RV then you need a 3000-4000 watt-hours battery backup.
4. Inverter Capacity
For determining what size of solar panel kit you need for your RV, the capacity of the inverter you'll need also helps in the process. An inverter comes with two capacity ratings: running capacity and surge capacity. Both ratings must be within your solar output range.
Not choosing the right type of inverter can cause you to experience fluctuating currents, which damages your electrical devices. That's why you need to select a solar power kit that comes with a high-quality inverter.
What RV Solar Panel Kit Size Is Enough for Energy Independence?
Any solar panel kit size that meets your power requirements and provides additional power backup is enough for energy independence. Solar panel kits can independently fulfill your power needs without connecting to a grid. The RV will be powered by solar energy during the day, and batteries will provide backup during the night.
So, what are you waiting for? Elevate your RV experience with a solar panel kit and travel limitless. Whether you plan a country-wide trip or a more adventurous journey to the mountains, you'll not have to stop for power.
Pro Tips to Buy the Best RV Solar Panel Kit
Here are some pro tips from professional RVers who have upgraded to solar generators. You can follow these tips to make your purchase the best buy:
1. Solar Panel Efficiency & Durability
Look for solar panels with high-efficiency ratings. The other factor to consider is their conversion rate; the panels with higher conversion rates are more efficient. As solar panels will be exposed to rough conditions, their durability is also crucial. Consider buying water-resistant panels with protective coatings.
2. Portability & Weight
Portability and weight are synonymous for RVers. Look for portable and lightweight kits with foldable and handheld design features. Solar generator kits cover more space, so it's better to go for portable options. You'll also need to set up the kit outdoors; the weight should also be your consideration.
3. Inverter Type
Inverter is the core element of solar kits, and its efficiency is crucial. The RV has various sensitive electronics components and equipment; you should choose a pure sine wave inverter that provides high-quality power output. If you've high-capacity appliances like air conditioners or refrigerators, consider inverters with higher surge capacity to provide for these appliances.
4. Battery Technology
Battery efficiency depends on battery technology. Buy advanced lithium-ion battery packs that are efficient and long-lasting. The second crucial step after determining the size of the solar kit is to select efficient battery packs. The reliability of solar generators depends on the battery backup. You would not like to sleep without a fan on a summer night.
Best Solar Generator Kits in 2023
BLUETTI manufactures the most advanced solar kits best suited for RVs and camper trailers. If you want to invest in the right solar kits, there's no better option than BLUETTI. Here are some hot products from BLUETTI that you can consider:
BLUETTI AC300 + 1*B300 Home Battery Backup is the ultimate power solution for RVs. It has a portable design and amazing accessibility. You can control the kit with a smart mobile application. The AC300 power station has an AC pure sine wave inverter with a 3000-watt capacity and an additional 6000-watt surge capacity to supply quality AC power. The battery technology is LiFePO4, known for its high efficiency and long lasting.
The overall capacity is around 3072 Wh, which is expandable up to 12228 Wh. Considering physical specs, the device has multiple AC/DC ports to power all your appliances. It supports dual fast recharging; you can connect the device with solar and AC input. The max solar input is around 2600 W. It's a power beast for RVers.
The device comes with a BLUETTI PV420 Solar Panel, which has 420 watts capacity, and you can add multiple panels per your power requirements. The solar panel is durable and portable, ideal for RV adventures. It has an ETFE coating and water-resistant rating for seamless outdoor use. The panel has a high conversion rate, and overall efficiency is up to the mark.
Additionally, you can buy a BLUETTI AC180 Solar Portable Power Station; it will be a valuable addition to your RV. The device with 1152 Wh capacity is designed to power small appliances and electronics while on the go. It is highly portable, and you can carry it when hiking, fishing, or boating. The device is controllable from a smart mobile application for your convenience.
Final Thoughts
RVers looking for independent energy sources must consider solar generator kits. You can extend your trips wherever you want, without worrying about the power source for your RV.
Still not convinced?
Well, you can even save on your pocket with the solar generator kit, as you'll no longer need to spend on fuel for a conventional generator.
