Solar RV Kits, Things to Know Before You Buy

When you're in the market for solar panels for your RV, there are a few things you should know before you buy. You should know how much power you're really getting from your panels, and how much power you use daily. The answers to these questions will ensure that you get what you need from your solar kit without buying more than you can use.

Recreational Vehicle (or RV for short) owners are in a unique position to take advantage of solar power. The twelve volt (12V) power system used in most RVs can be easily modified to accommodate solar augmentation. The question facing RV owners looking to purchase solar panels is usually this. How much solar power should I be buying for my RV? What you purchase depends on many factors, a few of which are covered here.

The first thing you want to consider when considering solar power is what you want to accomplish with it. Do you want your RV to be completely independent, able to stay in a location for weeks at a time without requiring a power charge or generator? Or are you simply looking to get extra battery life out of your RV? Complete self sufficiency is a great option for those with enough surface area to accomplish it.

In order to figure out how many solar panels you would need to be completely self powered, you need to be able to provide an accurate usage estimate. For instance if you do not need to heat or cool your RV, you don't run a microwave, and you drive every other day your solar power needs will be minimal. However if you want to camp in a single spot for over a week without turning on a generator, you need to run a space heater at night, and you leave a light on at night; you will need significantly more in the way of solar power.

To calculate your power usage, it is easiest to use a worksheet. There are several worksheets available online. The sheet will list the approximate amperage for various RV appliances. You multiply the number by the amount of time that appliance would spend running in a typical day, which will yield an answer in the form of amp/hours. A typical 80 watt RV solar kit will provide a panel that can produce 25-35 amp/hours of power. To figure your actual solar needs, give yourself a 10-15% buffer for efficiency loss in the storage system, and purchase enough panels to provide the necessary power.

If you're a seasoned RV owner, you understand that space is at a premium in an RV. It is no different when it comes to solar power, you will need to carefully consider your installation options. Angled panels will provide better power production than panels that lie flat on your roof. An angled panel on the top corners of your vehicle will raise your vehicle's profile, this is important to take into consideration when navigating an RV.

Regardless of whether you decide to provide a boost in battery life with a few solar panels or become a completely self sufficient power generating environment; an RV solar kit is an investment that will pay itself off over time. Leaving the generator off while camped will be more peaceful, and better for the environment to boot. If you plan well, solar panels will reward you with headache free power for years.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for Web sites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background also includes teaching, gardening, and fashion. For more of her useful articles on solar power, visit Solar RV Kits, supplier of solar kits for your RV, marine vehicle, or home.