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Welcome to the RV Solar Guide, a guide to off-grid solar power systems for RVs that allow boondocking self-sustainably. This guide should inform beginners about RV solar’s why, how, and what.
This guide was updated on 8/06/2023:
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We must take a little trip off the grid in a virtual RV to get the why of RV solar systems. In our virtual RV, we go to campgrounds and national parks. In these campgrounds, we find power and plug our camper into the RV pedestal at our campsite. We can run everything we need; life is great. It does seem a little loud, and the neighbors are close. Overall nice, though.
Our journey continues; we next travel to a national park. Here there are no pedestals and no services. There is no cord or pedestal where we enter the land of Boondocking or Dry Camping. Things are typically quieter here. Neighbors are further away. We have to be self-sustainable, which means both power and water.
Our virtual RVs have tanks to handle the water side of things. These tanks are:
On the power side of our RV, we have only one essential item to keep us going: RV house battery bank This battery bank powers pretty much all of the off-grid electrical loads like:
Once your house battery bank is dead, it is necessary to recharge. Since there is no cord, we must find another way to charge the RV battery bank. Enter our RV solar power system. This system will start charging our house batteries when the sun comes out. While we won’t be able to run everything, we are progressing toward keeping power coming in. As we move further through the RV solar guide, we will discuss the components, calculations, and systems that support the energy coming in. We will also set expectations for beginners of what to expect for budget, solar panel sizing, and RV solar tips and tricks.
An RV solar system takes many components to create, store and consume power off-grid. A solar rv is only as good as its weakest link. In RV solar, each part may sometimes be that link. We will discuss these issues in the following few sections.
The components that make up an RV solar system are:
RV solar panels - rigid and flexible solar panels that contain photovoltaic cells that turn sunlight into DC electricity
Solar panel mounting brackets and hardware - hardware that properly mounts a solar panel to the RV roof
Solar panel wires - the wires used to carry power from the solar panel into the rest of the solar system
Solar cable entry plate - the plate designed for watertight cable entry from the exterior of the RV to the interior
Fuses and Breakers - safety equipment designed to protect against electrical faults.
Disconnects - Disconnects allow safe disconnection of the system components.
Solar Charge Controller - The solar charge controller limits the amount of power sent to the battery and also can handle more complex wiring . The two main types are PWM charge controllers and MPPT charge controllers.
RV Battery Bank - the storage system for the RV’s power onboard. These banks are typically built from AGM and Lithium batteries. Most 12-volt RV loads operate off the RV’s house battery bank. Sizing the RV’s house battery bank can be important.
Power Inverter - a device that turns 12-volt DC into 120-volt AC power to allow the operation of household electrical appliances and devices
Battery Charger - designed to recharge the RV’s house battery bank when plugged into the grid or on the generator
Generator - an optional component that allows RV’s to have electricity off the grid. Gasoline, diesel, and propane generators are standard.
While this list is not all-inclusive, we hope to flesh out the guide with even more information. This solar guide is one of the top guides on the Internet and has been used for years to assist customers in determining the right kind of solar setup to suit their mobile application best. With the addition of new solar types ranging from flexible panels to portable solar kits, we have added other information to the site as well. This informative guide has also been updated to included new information on Prewired for solar RVs and Campers. As well as new information on lithium batteries for house RV battery banks with details on requirements for solar controllers and unique specifications for lithium.
Many of our readers have RVs that have been prewired for solar and are interested in starting to off-grid camp or go boondocking. Time was you would have to run the wire from the roof to the controller and down to the battery. Some of this wiring may have been completed for you already.
Having fewer holes in your RV roof is a good thing. Take a little time discussing how the panels lay out with the installer. Allow room for growth and optimizes the solar panel’s placement to prevent shading. Our RV solar layout guide may help. Check out out Solar panel mounting brackets and hardware for information on solar panel brackets for your RV.
This cable entry plate is the best way to make permanent solar panel connections that are out of the way and mostly safe from theft. The CEP-25 has MC-4 connector attachments that allow for quick connecting solar wires to the panels. MC-4 cables will extend usually 18 inches from the panel. These should be fine to conenct to cable entry for a single panel install that is close to the cable entry plate. If you want more than one solar panel or you cable entry plate is far from panel install, ordering a couple of extra MC4 extension cables can make wiring easier on the roof. These cables are almost always ordered in pairs, so get two of them.
When adding panels this is where MC-4 branch connectors will come into play when wiring in a standard parallel configuration. Most of the expansion kits will come witht these although you can order them as matched pairs.
A 30 amp controller can typically handle up top three of these 190 watt panels.
You can add up to of the expansion kits above to a the base solar kit below.
The port on the side is connected directly to the battery in most wiring setups. Check your Rv's manual to make sure this is the case.
This port has a standard connector in many portable solar kits. Commonly referred to as an SAE connector. Portable kits usually have the charge controller in line or on the back of the panel. This is why the port usually is wired directly to the battery.
If there is a side connection, a customer needs to look at our portable solar units and our portable solar guide for more information.
Many of the portable solar kits come with a wide range of connectors. This allows easy connecting to your RV and also other equipment.
As always, we continue to add new and updated pages every month. New foldable solar panel guides and solar on-the-side power guide covering portable solar kits.
Outside Supply is constantly working on adding more information to our RV solar information guide. Updating the guide includes arranging the information in an easier-to-follow format and adding new important RV solar information.
Installing your solar panels on your RV roof after you have completed a plan for laying them out and gathered all the required materials.
The goal of your RV solar system should be to provide clean, reliable power throughout the day. Things are much easier when the sun is up, and the panels are producing power. At night, you need to rely on the stored power of your RV battery bank. Your solar system’s chance to get the batteries fully recharged is during the peak hours of sunlight. Storing away this power in the batteries allows for powering items in your RV when the sun has set.
The size of your battery bank controls how long you can run off-grid when not producing power. The house battery bank is your reserve. It is all the power your system has til morning, when the panels start charging again. This battery bank capacity is rated in amp hours. The more amp hours, the larger the battery bank’s storage capacity. AGM and lithium batteries make up many of the RV house battery banks. There are still some deep-cycle marine flooded batteries, although they are becoming less common. Lithium batteries are better but at a higher price. Read Are lithium RV batteries worth the cost? for more information on the choices.
A few benefits of lithium battery banks:
The downside of lithium batteries for your RV solar system:
Since I like to use blenders and induction cooktops off-grid, a larger battery bank is better for me. I remember how much power I use because I want lights and TV when camping off the grid at night. Determine what loads are essential to you. This will help you size your RV solar battery bank.
Recent updates include Added new information to consider the issues and failed causes of solar installs on RVs. Since Covid-19, RV sales have been off the chart. Many people have stepped into the realm of off-grid camping. Many of these have made the big leap with a residential refrigerator, which requires 760 Watts or more of solar and about 750 Ah of battery. Many mistakes and problems have been reported from customers who rushed into the cheapest kits and information on the Internet. We hope to add an article documenting the 10 Biggest Failure Points on RV Solar Systems.
We have also added new information regarding newer MPPT controllers and Lithium Battery charging profiles.
MPPT 40 Controller by Go Power THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED The MPPT 60 is the replacement product for this model. This item has all the same great qualities that the 40 Amp controller had, but even better. As solar arrays are getting larger for RV’s, Go Power released a new 40 amp MPPT controller aimed at providing power for the new residential refrigerator only Class A Coaches, fifth wheels and Travel Trailers.
3000 Watt Industrial Power Inverter, Pure Sine Wave by Go Power The Go Power hard wired 3000 watt industrial power inverter is true sine wave and is rock solid and capable of handling lots of power. A great unit for Boats, RVs, Cabins, fleet vehicles and conversion vans. Adding a power inverter to your RV, travel trailer, or conversion van can really help when you’re off grid camping or boon docking.
Replacing or installing a Transfer Switch? There are 30 and 50 amp RV models Transfer Switches allow the electrical current to switch between two sources easily without any interruption. We offer 30 amp and 50 amp switches. 30 amp transfer switch The 30 amp transfer switch has a single relay to switch between 2 different inputs like shore power or inverter power. Can also switch between shore power and generator power.
Go Power MPPT 40 Amp Controller With Remote *This product has been discontinued and has been replaced with Go Power MPPT Pro 60 Amp MPPT 40 Amp Controller The most efficient MPPT controller for RVs, uses Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charging and 3 battery charging profiles. This equipment is optimized for the 12-volt battery banks in trailers, RVs, boats, motorhomes, and vans. Charge Controller Description Model: GP-MPPT-40 (Go Power MPPT 40) Regulates and prevents the solar panel from overcharging batteries.
Go Power MPPT Pro 60 Charge Controller All new Charge Controller for larger arrays Model: GP-MPPT-PRO-60 New MPPT 60 Charge Controller from Go Power The all new MPPT PRO 60 regulates charge and prevents the solar panel array from overcharging your house batteries. Using a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charging algorithm set with 4 battery charging profiles including lithium, this powerful controller is set for the large arrays on RVs.
Portable kits are easy to deploy solar panels for your Fifth Wheel Camper A lot of people have been asking about these portable solar kits for their fifth wheel campers. Recently our customers have been asking about solutions for their campers, because they have no roof space due to their luggage racks. We at Outside Supply have come to the conclusion that the best choice for these fifth wheel campers that have a luggage rack on the top is a good portable solar kit.
3C Cartier French Camper Van Sprinter Based RV Sighting Waveland Beach 5TH APR 2016 BY CHAD WHITNEY On my way to work, I saw the coolest RV. I pulled over in the Waveland Beach parking lot to check it out. There was a lovely couple having lunch beach side just down from the office. They came to America from France to tour the United States for 1 year. Their trip almost over, they were heading to Florida for the final leg.
Remote for Sine Wave Inverters The new compact GP-SWR-A remote features an LED indicator showing inverter status, ON/OFF switch and 25′ of cable. This remote can be used with all GP-ISW inverters, the GP-HS1500, GP-SW1000, GP-SW-2000, and GP-SW3000 inverters. GP-SWR-A is compatible with both 12V & 24V inverters.
Go Power 2000 Watt Pure Sine Wave Inverter The Go Power 2000 watt industrial pure sine wave inverter provides robust cUL certified AC power and feature a new light weight, compact design. This unit has a GFCI outlet and can provide care free conversion from DC Power to AC Power. • Premium DC to AC pure sine wave power • Wide voltage range • Durable, low profile design • Power save mode
Go Power 1000 Watt Sine Wave Inverters Promise Clean Power A solid choice for your mid-range power needs, the Go Power! GP-ISW1000 industrial pure sine wave inverter offers plenty of clean AC power for all your portable electronic equipment. The Go Power! GP-ISW1000 inverter is ideal for handling sensitive loads and for improving AC equipment performance in systems with 12 VDC input. A solid choice for powering electronic equipment like TVs, stereos, computers, or as a source of emergency backup power, the Go Power!
Remote Panels for Inverters Remote panels are the on/off information controllers for power inverters that are part of the inverter installation accessories. Shop These amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "outsidesupp06-20"; amzn_assoc_search_bar_position = "bottom"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "search"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_title = "Shop Related Products"; amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase = "inverter remotes"; amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "99d2c04b73f2e511f33072f8b06a8266";
Solar Kits for Class B RVs We love meeting people who have converted their vehicles into all out RV/ Camperstyle fun mobiles. We enjoy setting these units up for solar power battery charging. Even if you don’t have enough roof space, you can get away with a portable kit so easily! These awesome solar kits can charge up to 120 Watts at a time, and can even tie into your existing solar panel on the roof.
How many panels do I need to run my lights and water pump? ##Customer Steve has asked: How many panels do I need to run my lights and water pump? **Answer:**This is a question we get quite a bit when people are trying to determine the right amount of solar for their RV. Water pumps and lights are 2 of the main uses of power when off grid camping. Therefore these loads will operate at 12 volts off the battery which are charged by RV solar panels.
