In this article we will show you my recommendations for the best RV solar panels on the market today.
I find that recently there are more and more RV’ers adding solar panels to their rigs. This is great for a number of reasons.
If you are considering installing solar panels on your RV, then you probably want to know which is the best solar panel for RV’s, because choosing the right one will make a huge difference in how well your solar system works and the use you can enjoy from it.
If you are in a hurry, here is our list of the best solar panels for your RV.
- Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
- Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Foldable Portable Solar Suitcase with Voyager Waterproof Charge Controller
- BougeRV 100W 18V Solar Panel Charger ETFE SunPower Cell Solar Power Flexible Ultra Thin with MC4 Connector
- Renogy 200 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar RV Kit Off-Grid Kit with 30A PWM LCD Charge Controller + Mounting Brackets + MC4 Connectors + Solar Cables + Cable Entry housing
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Renogy 200 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit with Wanderer
Selecting the Best Solar Panels for RV's
While you may be tempted to rush to the store right away to buy your new solar panels, there are three things that you want to consider to make sure that you choose the best solar panels for your RV needs. Consider the tolerance, rating, and the peak power of the panel. The tolerance will represent the drop percent in total power, the rating tells you the size of the solar system, and the peak power is the maximum output that you can expect in the best conditions.
The solar panels that are the right choice for you will vary from ones that other RVers own. This is why you need to take into consideration your needs, as well as what you expect from your new panels, so that you can easily select the right ones.
Benefits to Having RV Solar Panels
There are a number of benefits to using solar panels on your RV.
I wanted solar panels to reduce my reliance on having to plug into shore power, but quickly found that I enjoyed many other perks as well.
Not only will you be more free to roam when you have solar panels as opposed to shore power, but you won’t be negatively affecting the environment by using a generator. This also means that you will be much quieter, so you won’t disturb nature or your neighbors or if you are trying to stay under the radar.
I also love how clean and safe solar panels are, as you don’t run the risk of fires or carbon monoxide poisoning, and even the risk of electric shock is incredibly low.
Solar power is an incredibly cost-effective source of power when you are on the road.
While you will need to pay for the initial setup, you can rely on energy from the sun to power your appliances once everything is in place.
Even during winter months, you can still get some sun, which means that you can take advantage of a quiet, clean, and renewable power source for your RV.
All in all, solar panels are safer, better for the environment, and easy to use. What more could you want?
What to Look For
I know that it can be overwhelming when you are in the market for new solar panels, but there are a few things that you can look for to make your search easier. Solar panels for RV’s need to be small, but still produce a lot of electricity for you to get the most use out of them. The efficiency of a new solar panel for your RV is generally determined by how much solar energy is converted into useable electricity. I find that it’s simple to look at it this way, solar panels with higher efficiency percentages will be more efficient and will produce more electricity.
Best Way to Use Your RV Solar Panels
Solar panels on your RV will allow you to run electricity without worrying about using a generator or plugging into an electricity source. This means that you may be able to cook your food, enjoy lights to read or dress, possibly watch TV and even access the internet. Another common use for solar panels on an RV is to power fans to produce air movement inside the RV to stay as comfortable as possible in hot weather. I find that this is a top reason why a lot of people are interested in installing solar panels on their RV’s.
Considerations When Using Your Solar Panels
Generally speaking, people don’t run into major problems or risks when using solar panels on their RV’s.
I find, however, that there are some things to consider before buying solar panels and having them installed for your use.
The first reason that some people balk at installing solar panels is the price.
While you can buy systems that are less expensive, these won’t necessarily offer you all of the power that you want when you are on the road.
It’s important to invest in a large enough system to offer you all of the power that you want, and this can be a bit more pricey.
Another thing to consider before installing a solar panel system on your RV is that they can be complicated. Installing the panels on your own and connecting them to your RV isn’t easy, but learning how to install them and manage any glitches is important so that you can take care of problems by yourself when you are on the road.
Finally, I find that it takes time to recoup the investment of installing solar panels. You can reduce and even eliminate camping fees, but it can take a while for your solar panels to pay for themselves, especially if you do not camp very often. But if your goal is to be prepared to live in your RV without concern over shore power or gas for a generator, solar is absolutely the best way to go.
5 Best Solar Panels for RV
Going solar on your RV is a real game changer. Once your solar panels are installed you will be able to keep you RV batteries charged no matter how far from home you go. Solar panels have improved so much recently that it doesn’t take that big of an investment to get yourself fully solar powered. I have reviewed the top RV solar panels for performance, quality of construction, and durability.
These solar panels can flex up to 248 degrees, making it very easy to install them in any location on your RV, and since they are so lightweight, there isn’t much of a concern over being able to easily handle them during installation. Transporting and using these solar panels is fairly easy.
Pros
● Due to their size, they are incredibly easy to move and install
● High-quality construction prevents breakdowns
● Able to harness energy, even on overcast days
● Flexibility ensures that you can bend the panels during installation without them breaking, especially when you are installing the panels on a curved surface, such as on an airstream
● Ideal for a stealthy setup, as they are incredibly thin
● Rigorously tested to be able to withstand both high winds and heavy snow loads without being damaged
Cons
● No grommets or holes to ensure that the panels are securely attached to the roof and can’t easily be removed
● Bendable, but still fairly stiff
This starter kit contains the items that you need to start using solar power on your RV. If you want to expand your panel kit, it’s easy to add additional panels and connect them to enjoy even more power when you are on the road.
Pros
● Includes the tray cable that you need to connect your battery and controller
● The grounding controller offers safety features to ensure that you don’t overcharge
● Great starter kit for when you are interested in setting up solar panels, but don’t know what parts you need to buy
Cons
● Included controller isn’t very high quality, and many people upgrade to a better charge controller
● Some users report the charge controller failing completely and burning out
● There aren’t instructions included for installation
● Doesn’t include all hardware or brackets that are needed for installation
● Glass isn’t very strong and will easily shatter
Thanks to a higher than average energy conversion, you will be able to enjoy a lot of power with these solar panels. Designed to resist high temperatures, corrosion, and to be incredibly easy to clean when you are on the road.
Pros
● Surface has been designed to grab more power when in the sun
● Thanks to the solid copper foundation, these panels are strong and durable
● Incredible power conversion due to pure silicon
● Flexible and contoured to make installation easy
● Designed to prevent reverse current draining during the night
Cons
● Tend to fail after a few weeks of working without problems
● Not fireproof and only backed with flimsy plastic
● There is a chance that the connector will not work with other solar panels already in use
Perfect for use on any RV that has a curved surface, this solar panel will curve with and can be installed easily without worrying about it breaking. Additionally, it has been rated to withstand high winds and heavy snows without being damaged.
Pros
● Guaranteed no hot spots
● Weighs 70% less than other conventional solar panels
● Installation and transportation are both easy due to the size and weight of the panels
● Can be mounted using a silicone adhesive on the back of the panels
Cons
● Difficult to mount using the suggested method
● Watts produced decreases quickly as the solar panels get warmer
● Difficult to test outgoing voltages, as a voltmeter is recommended
Even when faced with low light conditions, these solar panels may be able to trickle charge batteries. They feature high quality microcrystalline cells designed to harness as much power from the sun as possible.
Pros
● Offers a maximum power of 100W
● Connectors are waterproof to prevent damage to your solar panels
● Provides high efficiency without taking up a lot of space
Cons
● Incorrectly installed diodes will cause problems with the panels and need to be repaired
● Glass panels shatter easily and often break during shipping
● Compact size often decreases the overall output
● Sharp edges can result in you getting cut
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