Solar Energy Equipment Supplier - Use the Sun to Power up your Adventures

Thinking of adding solar to your RV? It’s worth considering if you want the option to camp where no electric hookups are available. However, it is a significant investment, so you want to ensure you select the best system for your rig.

 

Solar panels enable you to boondock, or dry camp, anywhere you’re allowed to park your RV. The ability to go off-grid gives you more flexibility, which is a great benefit of solar. And unlike noisy generators, solar panels are quiet and more sustainable.

 

Your solar setup will absorb sunlight and convert it into an electrical current that charges your RV battery. So, the number of panels you buy will depend on the amount of power you need.

 

Portable and Permanent Systems

This may be a good option if you don’t need full power, since these systems only provide enough electricity to operate lights, charge devices, and top up your battery. A portable system is cheaper and easier to use, but you must set it up each time you camp. One or more panels can be attached to your RV’s roof using Velcro straps, or you can get panels that come in a suitcase.

 

Having a permanent system installed will allow you to run appliances and charge your devices. On the other hand it may not give you the same amount of power as an electric hookup. While it is a more expensive option, it is also the most efficient. You don’t need to worry about setting it up each time, and the rooftop panels will collect sunlight even while you’re driving.

 

Other Components

For your system to function, you will need additional components: a battery bank, an inverter, and a charge controller.

 

The battery bank is used to store energy to power your RV at night and during other periods without sunlight.

 

The inverter converts DC power from your solar panels into AC power that your RV can use.

 

The charge controller channels the energy collected by the solar panels into the battery bank.

 

Power Usage

Your solar setup is determined by how much wattage you need to power all the appliances and devices you want to use. This requires you to look at all the appliances, lights, electrical components, and devices you need to power to calculate the wattage they use and how long you will use them.

 

Once you determine your power requirements, you need to look at how much power the solar panels will generate so you know how many you need. A 100-watt panel, for example, will generate 100 total watts of power if you only have one hour of sunlight a day. If you have 10 hours of direct sunlight, the panel will generate 1,000 watts.

 

Our experts at Avalon RV can help you figure this out and perform the RV solar installation. We want to ensure you get the most out of your warranty, maximize your system’s efficiency, and minimize the potential for costly repairs down the road.