Do I Need A Solar Panel For My Motorhome

Solar panels are sold in varying sizes but a 100 watt panel is a commonly found size particularly for rvs.

Do i need a solar panel for my motorhome.

You can plaster every inch of your camper with solar panels but this is ultimatley a waste of money if you have nowhere to store all the energy the panels produce. This is assuming you are considering using 12 volt rv grade panels. You will need at least 1 800 watts of solar panels to run your rv air conditioner. The primary purpose for solar panels on an rv is to recharge your battery bank when not connected to shore power or generator.

Many rvs today come pre wired for solar but what does this mean. Solar panels do one thing they charge your rv s batteries. Without sun you ll need to resort to one of these other methods. If you re hoping to cut the cord go off grid live more greenly or get off the radar then installing rv solar panels may help your cause.

The overall program for pre wiring an rv with the equipment to add solar panels came from the need to create an easy path for the wire to run all the way to the battery during construction. Position your solar panel to catch as much of the midday strongest sunlight as possible. It s important to go into your solar power setup knowing what you need and what you don t. We suggest a battery bank of 800 amp hours.

This is also assuming of course you have a lot of battery power too. That panel is rated at 100 watts at peak efficiency meaning on a 78 degree cloudless day at solar noon on the equator during the equinox. Go boondocking and only use your rv battery ies as your power source. I don t know too many people who rv under those conditions.

The higher the ah capacity the longer the battery or bank can supply the motorhome s electrical needs before it requires a recharge from the solar panels generator the motorhome s alternator or from plugging into shorepower. Before buying a new solar panel check with your caravan or motorhome s manufacturer that it will fit to your van easily. A solar charging system requires no gas makes no sound and can charge your batteries for hours and hours unattended as long as the sun is shining. You may need to purchase special adapters if the standard clips will not be sufficient.