Tips for Buying Solar Panels for Your RV

A solar panel setup is affordable, convenient, and environmentally friendly. That’s why many camper owners are taking this route to supply their campers with enough sustainable energy to stay powered throughout the day. If you’re planning to go on a boondocking trip and want to learn about RV solar panels before you make your final decision, you’ll find this guide handy.

We have created this guide to share with you some basic information about RV solar panels, so keep reading to learn more!

Should You Get Solar Panels?

Like many other RV owners, you, too, may be excited about the concept of saving the planet. Though this is a great idea, you must figure out if solar panels are the best option for you. That’s because this technology isn’t always reliable; if there is no sun, there will be no solar energy. Even when you’re camping in an area with plenty of sunshine, you may still run into issues when saving up and holding power for nighttime use. Remember, even if you decide to install solar panels, you must have a backup energy source ready.

Making the Right Choice

If you decide to use solar energy, you’ll want to make sure that you’re making the right choice. Figure out how much energy you’ll need to power your RV without blowing a fuse. To determine this, take a look around your camper and jot down the amount of wattage each electrical appliance will need. Think about the devices you’ll want to power using solar energy and use this as a reference for finding the panels and amps best suited for your RV.

The Battery

As we mentioned earlier, it can be difficult to store energy. However, you can work around this issue and store energy for shorter durations by filtering everything into the battery. This way, you can make the most of the stored energy while you’re experiencing an extended period of no sunlight, like during the winter.

Get a suitable battery to extend the time you have to use the stored energy. Though there are several cheaper options available, for a better experience, you'll want to invest in a good-quality battery, such as an AGM or Lithium-Ion battery. These batteries last longer and help you save and store energy more efficiently and quickly.

We hope these tips help you select the right solar panel for your RV. If you have any questions, reach out to our team at S&S Apache in Jackson, Mississippi. We can address your concerns and help you upgrade your camper to a model that suits your lifestyle. We proudly serve all those in Vicksburg and Meridian.