In an RV parked off the grid,...
In an RV parked off the grid, electricity is a precious commodity. Solar panels, like the four 120-watt panels on this RV, can help recharge batteries and run appliances without use of a generator. Photography Courtesy of Mark Quasius/www.RVcruzer.com
Campers have used solar energy for decades. Anyone who has hung a black plastic bag in the sun to heat water knows about free, clean solar energy. These days, the possibilities are far more advanced. Campers now have the option of using sophisticated solar panels to generate electricity, a precious resource in any RV parked off the grid.
Since the 1970s, prices for solar panels have dropped 90 percent, and panels have become more durable, lighter, and far more efficient. As a result, they are a great way for RV campers to get additional electricity or backup power.
Solar panels can be used to power appliances in your RV directly during the day or store the electricity in batteries for backup power any time you need it. There are small systems suitable for recharging a cell phone or laptop, 2,000-watt systems that automatically track the path of the sun across the sky, and everything in between. Adding solar electricity can be as simple as propping up a solar panel next to your RV or draping a flexible sheet of durable, lightweight solar film over a tent or awning.
When you use electricity generated by solar panels, you are resting your generator, saving fuel, and reducing noise. Solar panel kits for RVs are available to handle emergency battery charging all the way up to providing nearly all of an RV's power needs. Solar panels have no moving parts to wear out and are simple to maintain. They can be used alone or in combination with other energy sources, and they are silent, reliable, and long-lasting.
Adding solar charging resources...
Adding solar charging resources to your RV can be as simple as carrying a few panels, breaking them out when you set up camp, and plugging them in. Photography Courtesy of www.AZsolar.com
Solar panels are a product of the photovoltaic effect in which layered materials such as silicon produce an electric current when exposed to sunlight. Metal contacts connecting small cells on the top and bottom draw the current off for external use.
A typical RV solar kit will include one or more solar panels that convert light into electricity, a charge controller that regulates the electricity, and wiring to connect the system to your batteries. The charge controller will prevent batteries from being overcharged once they are full and can act as a meter to show how electricity is flowing.
A good kit will also include mounting structure and hardware for the panel(s). If your RV does not already have a built-in power inverter, getting one would allow you to use battery power to run 120-volt AC plug-in appliances from home. However, appliances that use DC power (direct current) don't need an inverter. Items such as laptops, cell phones, camera batteries, and iPods can be charged directly from a panel.
Ideally, excess energy generated during the day is stored in a battery for later use. The more battery storage capacity available, the more practical a solar charging system can become. Most RVs come with at least one auxiliary battery, but more is always better, especially if you are relying on a power source that might only generate current for 5 hours a day.
U.S. Photovoltaic Solar Resource...
U.S. Photovoltaic Solar Resource
Solar power can be gathered anywhere but is most practical in parts of the country where there is abundant sunshine. Cloudy weather can reduce the output of solar panels, as will shadows, leaves, or other debris blocking sunlight. Especially in the areas shown in red or yellow, solar power can be a very favorable option. Map Courtesy of National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
There is a wide variety of kits available, with various price points and levels of performance. Most are easy to install; producers of the kits we talked to said that 90 percent of their customers handled installation on their own. Solar power systems are modular; more panels and batteries can always be added later.
One way to go would be as simple as storing flat panels in your RV, unloading them when you camp, propping them up in a sunny location and plugging them in. You can move the panels around during the day to keep them in direct sunlight, and then stow them when you break camp.
Having freestanding solar panels is also handy in the sense that you don't have the risk of creating leaks in your roof, as you might when you install permanent panels, and you'll never have to climb up on the roof to clean the panels or re-adjust their orientation.
Price generally depends on size. We found 40x20-inch 65-watt panels that can produce a current of 3.57 amps under optimum conditions for under $400 apiece at retailer Mr. Solar.