This post was most recently updated on June 14th, 2019
Solar Panel Kit for RV and Marine
Looking into perking up your RV vehicle or marine craft with the freedom of solar power? Today, a Solar Panel Kit for RV and marine crafts are the ticket to providing you with that all-in-one solution for equipping you with that extra added power for all your RV and boating adventures.
RV solar panels are designed to complement RV luxury and travel. They’re eco-friendly, ultra quiet, and produce an incredibly clean source of energy. The efficiency and quality of solar energy will begin from your RV solar panel. In actuality, it is really where it all starts.
As a general rule of thumb, the higher the quality of the RV solar system, the higher the amount of energy it will produce.
Getting a new solar panel often starts with the need for more reliable and clean power for your RV marine boats or RV camper. But since you want to get the optimal configuration possible, you might be pondering a few technical aspects, or just maybe undecided about a few other issues.
What value will my RV boat or camper gain by installing the solar kit? What will I be able to power with the solar panel system? Is it easy to install, and can I do it myself? What size of battery will I be able to charge with this solar panel? And which is the best solar panel in terms of value?
The good news is that asking yourself all these questions when deciding on solar panels for RV and marine is very much par for the course. The best part is now(unlike past decades) there are far more options available with regard to both solar system features and price ranges that are restricted to one’s particular budget.
Solar Panel Kit for RV and Marine Crafts – Putting it All Together
Let’s dig a little deeper into the RV solar system. The first thing that comes to your mind when you think of solar is the ultra-clean and quiet energy. With fumes released by generators and boat engines. I think we could all agree it’s a welcome addition to any excursion or adventure when we’ve got both clean and quiet working together.
Secondly, it’s all about the solar energys greatest feature, it’s free. Other than the initial cost, solar power is cost effective in the long run. It only requires a one-time cost of buying and installing the solar panel system. Beyond that, it requires little to no running and maintenance cost. Many solar based systems pay for themselves within a few years.
Solar panels for RV and marine crafts probably even pay for themselves even sooner because unlike solar panel systems for the home, having free energy are normally in very remote areas. In the case of say a sailboat, you could be in open waters out in the ocean for days. It’s just a very reassuring feeling that not being able to immediately recharge and refuel into a port will not put you in a bad situation.
Are you tired of replacing your RV battery? Normally, depending on the amount of use, batteries have a 2-3 year lifespan. With the solar system installed in say your RV, the battery life can be extended, to possibly 3 times that. Overall cost can be reduced since you will only need to replace RV battery once in a decade. You don’t have to worry about the fridge, the lights, your laptop, or anything that runs on battery power, just the long drive ahead, and the open seas.
Ease of installation and basic parts required by Solar Panel Kit for RV
Installing an RV solar system is a no-brainer task if you’re really savvy with auto mechanics, or if you’re a whiz with home improvement projects. Typically you only need to understand the standard components that make up the overall the solar system. Many kits include the basic parts required, so that simplifies things even further in the general scheme of things.
The solar system comes with four basic parts. They include the solar panels, charge controller, inverter, and storage.
The Solar Panel
You will find that there are different types of solar panels that are made from different materials and come in various sizes. The most common type of solar panels that can provide sufficient energy for your RV is made from crystalline silicon. The two popular types
include polycrystalline which is popular and comes with a user-friendly price, and mono-crystalline which is energy efficient but comes with a higher price tag. Other types of solar panel that is not made from silicon but instead are a thin-film solar cell that comes in ultra-thin shapes, elegantly looking but are less efficient.
Charge controller
The charge controller is a device that is placed between the solar panel and the battery It is in charge of controlling the overall flow of energy. The controller plays an important role as it prevents the battery from overcharging that could lead to permanent damage to the battery. The real sophisticated models conduct a higher degree of regulation and monitoring between the solar panels and battery. That’s what you’re really paying for with the higher end models. The basic charge controller without the added MPPT features has to be properly matched to the types of panels you are using along with the size batteries you intend to use. This model would be a basic charge controller without MPPT functionality.
MPPT type Controllers for Solar Panels RV and Marine
(MPPT) Controllers are more advanced and sophisticated types of controllers that are effective in converting the solar energy to fit the specifications of your battery. As a result, the battery will store more power and efficiently produce energy at peak levels.
Midnite Solar Classic
is a high-end American made controller that unlike less expensive controllers allows for the customization of settings while allowing for ARC and ground fault protection for improved safety. It’s designed to be easy to install and also be very efficient in regulating and drawing optimal energy from your solar panels. It has a very smart logging feature that further enhances its ability. This MPPT controller would be more suited for users really seeking customization and tweaking. It’s the smart features of this customization and superior quality in adapting to different solar configurations where the price point is notably much higher. If smart Solar power management is what you’re looking for, then this is one of those components you’d really want to consider.
Inverter
The inverter is a device that will convert the energy that is stored in the battery from DC to AC so that it can be used by most of the electrical appliances.
Battery
The most common type of batteries that are used includes the 12-volt battery often known as a lead-acid battery. If you want 280-340 amp-hour you can use three 12-volt lead-acid battery. Other effective batteries that you can use include golf-cart-style battery and lithium-ion batteries.
The former is regarded to be more expensive than the lead-acid batteries. As we alluded to earlier, in order to install the solar system in your RV, you can usually do it yourself or if you feel the need to hire an installer or contractor. This wheelchair and electric scooter battery would be fine for a solar panel system
What are the best solar panels that can provide adequate energy for your RV?
There many types of solar panels that can are highly efficient and provide sufficient power even on a
cloudy day during winter.
Here is a review of the best solar panels for your RV
1. Suaoki 100 Watt 12V Flexible
Solar Panel with Sunpower Cells
This is a flexible solar panel
that is suitable for marine boats. It is constructed from sun-power
cells that have higher than 25% efficiency. Besides, it has a diode
fitted so as to prevent any possibility of reversal of power that can
lead to drainage of energy during the night.
They are semi-flexible and water-resistant, therefore, suitable for RV marine boats. The ease of flexibility allows the solar panel to be flexed through an angle of 30 degrees for more exposure to sunrays. This model is extremely light compared to other flexible solar panels of
the same size.
Pros
• Lightweight as compared to other solar panels
• Flexible and can bend
• Made with highly effective SunPower cells
Cons
Can break when subjected to too much bending force.
2. HQST 100 Watt 12V Solar Panel
This model is made using high energy conversion modules capable of producing up to 500-watt-hour each day to fully recharge your RV. Besides, it is made from low iron-tempered high transparent and anti-reflective glass. It, therefore, means that it can withstand strong winds and snow loads. It also has pre-drilled holes that will allow for easy mounting
Pros
- Comes with a warranty of 25 years of efficient power output
- Tempered to withstand rain, snow, and strong winds.
Can easily be mounted
Cons
• It is far much heavier when compared to flexible models.
3. WindyNation 100 Watt Solar Panel Off-Grid RV Boat Kit
This solar panel is one of the most efficient solar panels for RV as it produces enough energy to power most of your appliances. You can use it to power your electrical appliances such as TVs, fridges, and laptops. The adjustable controller is designed to display voltage, amp-hours, temperature, as well as amperage. One single model of this unit can produce up to Watts of power.
Pros
- Comes with solar panel system kits that are highly efficient
- Can be mounted easily as it comes with predrilled holes
- Energy efficient
Cons
• Heavier than the flexible solar panels of the same size.
Conclusion
Your favorite relaxation vehicle, be it, a marine boat or a RV camper should have sufficient energy to provide the luxury it is built for. Being solar power equipped means freedom, comfort and convenience, year round near home or wherever remote location your adventures take you. Get your RV or Boat solar powered today!!
Be sure to check out another really awesome addition to your outdoor excursions. Portable solar generators we featured. They’re not just for the home anymore, get powered on the road or on the high seas!!
Special thanks to Shiyee for the technical assistance in helping to compile this report.