Solar power is one of the best renewable energy sources around. With no connection to electricity grids or other utilities, solar panels are an excellent way to generate your own power from a clean and renewable source. Most RV solar panels are designed to be mounted on your roof. These panels are compatible with a variety of mounts, including typical car solar mount systems and roof racks. Here are some factors that determine the amount of solar power you will need for your RV.
i. Appliances in Your RV
More often than not, most RVs have a variety of appliances in them. This includes televisions, stereos and microwaves. If you want to use your solar panels for these appliances, you will need more than just a small set of solar panels. You will need AC-DC converters or inverters to make the power they generate usable by your appliances. You should also discuss whether you need a battery charger for your appliances.
ii. Power Consumption
Most solar panels are rated to up to 1-1/2 KW of power consumption per day. In general, this means that you will need a set of 3-2 kW solar panels to cover the electrical needs of an RV with 12-15 KW of total power consumption per day. You should never skimp on this aspect. The vast majority of RVs are unable to generate enough power in sunny areas for all their needs.
iii. Living in Your RV
If you are going to live in your RV for more than 90% of the time, then you should consider buying a home battery storage system. This will allow you to store the power generated by your solar panels and use it at night or during cloudy days. In this case, you will need two sets of solar panels. You can generate enough power with one set of 3-2 kW panels for all your needs and then use the rest for battery charging.
iv. Recreation Vehicle
If you are using your RV for recreational purposes, then you may not need much solar power at all. In this case, you can still use the solar panels, but they would only be used during the daylight hours while you are working on a campsite or in other locations out of direct sunlight.
v. Power Usage Pattern
As you can see above, there are many different factors that determine how much solar power an RV needs and how much we need to install to generate that power. You should take the time to figure out all of the factors before you even start shopping for solar panel kits. With this in mind, you can then start looking at the best solar panels to install on your RV roofs.
When looking for RV solar installation near me, it is a good idea to consider the factors discussed in this article. Make sure you select the right RV solar kits to suit your needs. Always remember that a larger solar installation doesn’t necessarily mean it is better. It all depends on your power usage and needs.