Solar Panel - Install One on Your RV

RV owners usually invest in RVs to gain freedom - freedom to travel without looking for accommodations - freedom to stop anywhere. This is possible, to a limited extent, with most recreational vehicles. You can dry camp for a night or two. You can do without electrical power for a limited time. For extended freedom, though, you will need Portable Solar power.

Portable Solar power is available for your RV. In fact, a newer RV may come equipped with Portable Solar power. If not, you can purchase Portable Solar and install it yourself.

Install a Solar Panel on an RV

The easiest way to install a solar panel on an RV is to purchase a solar RV kit. A simple online search for a solar RV kit will give many results.

Size Your Portable Solar RV Kit

Before you buy that kit to install a solar panel on your RV, you will have to determine the size you need. What are your power needs? Do you need Portable Solar power for a TV, microwave, water pump, furnace, satellite, toaster, coffee maker, hair dryer, etc.? How long will you run each per day? Some Portable Solar kit retailers offer worksheets to help you decide your needs.

Locate Your Portable Solar RV Kit

The location where you will likely use the Portable Solar is also important to choosing the size you need. In Alaska, the sun rating is 3 hours. In Arizona, it is 6 hours. Using the same kit, you will get more Portable Solar power per day in Arizona than in Alaska. To put it another way, you will need a larger kit in Alaska than you will in Arizona.

Contents of a Portable Solar RV Kit

Even the smallest Portable Solar RV kit should include a solar panel, mounting structure, and diode. Larger kits will include more than one Portable Solar panel, a charge controller, mounting structures, output wiring, intermodule cable, fuses, and necessary hardware.

Cost of a Portable Solar RV Kit

The luxury of taking Portable Solar power on the road comes with a price. That price depends on your needs - or desires. The kits we priced were as follows (early 2007 USD)

* 5 watt RV kit - $93.00
* 10 watt RV kit - $131.00
* 20 watt RV kit - $248.00
* 30 watt RV kit - $310.00
* 40 watt RV kit - $350.00
* 64 watt RV kit - $413.00
* 85 watt RV kit - $559.00
* 110 watt RV kit - $679.00
* 170 watt RV kit - $1,037.00
* 220 watt RV kit - $1,277.00
* 330 watt RV kit - $1,897.00
* 440 watt RV kit - $2,474.00

How to Install a Solar Panel on an RV

If you purchase a Portable Solar RV kit, you should receive installation instructions with the kit. If you are going to install a solar panel with components rather than a kit, websites online give complete, step-by-step instructions. You should read – and understand – all instructions before beginning the installation.

The most important step for your well being is to BEGIN by disconnecting RV battery(s) and your RV electrical system from 100/200 VAC, or any other sources of electrical power.