Are Solar Panels for RV Worth It? Of course, it’s 100% worth it!
When it comes to outfitting an RV for the adventures ahead, one of the most significant enhancements you can consider is the installation of solar panels. Not only do they offer a sustainable source of power, but they also bring a multitude of benefits that enhance the RVing experience. Here’s why solar panels on your RV are worth considering:
Going More Places You Want to Go
Solar panels provide a reliable and consistent source of electricity, which is vital for travelers who are exploring remote areas. By utilizing solar energy, you can reduce your dependence on external sources of electricity and gain greater freedom and self-sufficiency in remote areas. Solar panels can give you ample power support for your communication devices, cameras, and mobile phones, and can meet the basic needs of life.
You can camp in more remote locations, enjoy breathtaking, unspoiled views, and escape the hustle and bustle without worrying about the light. As a base camp, you don’t have to be confined to a campground; you can camp anywhere on public land, in a national park, in a state or province.
Saving Your Money
The initial investment cost of a solar panel installation is indeed high, but in the long run solar energy can reduce or even eliminate the need for paid campground hookups and the ongoing expense of generator fuel in subsequent use.
Furthermore, RVs equipped with solar panels are often more appealing to potential buyers.
On top of this in terms of RV battery maintenance, installing RV solar panels is worth it.
- Protecting your batteries
One of the basic but often overlooked benefits of an RV solar system is the ability to protect your vehicle’s battery. RVs aren’t always running and can sit idle for months at a time. Solar panels help maintain the RV battery by charging it regularly, preventing it from being damaged when it sits idle for long periods. - Reduced battery replacement costs
As longtime RVers will attest, battery costs can add up quickly. Installing solar panels on your RV will keep your lead-acid batteries healthy and triple their effective life, greatly reducing the frequency and cost of battery replacements.
Protecting Campground Environments
Traditional RV power sources, such as gasoline or diesel generators, burn fossil fuels to produce electricity, emitting CO2 and other pollutants into the atmosphere. In contrast, solar RV users can help reduce the production of these pollutants, thereby improving air quality inside and outside the campground. Solar panels do not produce noise that affects campground wildlife and neighboring campers.
We all have to be environmentally conscious to protect the campground environment better and make the gorgeous scenery last longer, and there’s still a long way to go for eco-friendly travel.
Motorhome Solar Panel Systems: Which One Is Right for Me?
When choosing solar panels for your motorhome or camper, you have two options to choose from
Portable motorhome solar panel systems
Portable RV solar panel systems are the easiest to install and use. These systems are usually connected to a special solar socket on the motorhome and include one or more 100 watt solar panels that can be attached to the roof with Velcro straps. Other portable solar panels are supplied in carrying bags. You can connect the panels with wires and place them in the sunniest areas of the motorhome.
Portable RV solar panel systems are a good option for RVers who don’t need a lot of power. You may want to use lights, charge devices (e.g. cell phones, computers) and recharge trailer batteries. This option may also have the lowest overall cost, but keep in mind that you may have to pay more per watt for portability.
Permanent RV solar panel systems
Installing permanent RV solar panels is more expensive, but this option is the most efficient. You get the most out of every watt of solar energy invested and can make the most of unused roof space to install solar panels that constantly capture sunlight (e.g. while driving) rather than having to install them after parking.
Permanent RV solar panel systems are usually installed by RV dealers or professional companies that specialize in RV solar panel installation. These systems are designed for those who are trying to make the most of solar energy, not only to charge appliances, but also to run appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers and even air conditioners.
The Cons of Installing Solar Panels for RV
Knowing the convenience and freedom that installing solar panels brings to an RV. However, before deciding to bring this technology into your RV life, I feel it’s important to understand some of the possible inconveniences of installing solar panels.
- High Installation Cost: Solar panels can be expensive to purchase and install. While these costs have come down as technology has evolved, it still requires a significant investment to configure a system that can effectively power your vehicle.
- Depend On Weather On cloudy or rainy days or in the shade, solar panels are much less efficient, and although they can generate electricity, it’s nowhere near as effective as when it’s sunny.
- Hard to Maintain: Although solar panels typically have low maintenance needs, they still require regular cleaning to remove dust and debris from the surface in order to maintain efficient operation.
Rapid iteration of technology updates: The rapid development of solar technology brings in addition to increased efficiency, the update of the caravan system will also bring some challenges to the user, nowadays the caravan system is mainly based on 12v, but most of the latest launched caravans are based on 24v, the replacement of the system will also need to take into account the voltage of the solar panels.
