Published on December 2nd, 2019 | by Guest

How to Find the Best Portable Solar Panels for RV Trailers

Over the last few years, interest in solar panels has increased in a dramatic way. In fact, there’s been a 35-fold increase in installations since 2008.

Many people are even beginning to branch out and express an interest in solar panels for their RVs. These solar panels as well as other RV parts are easily available online.

Have you been considering making your RV solar-powered? If so, keep reading.

Explained below are some important tips to keep in mind when shopping for portable solar panels or best portable generators for RV campers.

Benefits of RV Solar Panels

There are lots of reasons to expand your solar interest and invest in portable solar panels for your RV. Some benefits they have to offer include the following:

Reduce Emissions

If you have concerns about your environmental impact and want to reduce your carbon footprint while you travel, installing solar panels is a great option to consider.

Solar panels don’t produce any exhaust or emissions, and there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning for you and your travel companions (which is something you have to worry about when it comes to using a typical generator).

Camp Quieter

If you’ve spent any amount of time traveling around in an RV, you know that the traditional generators used to power them can be quite noisy.

Don’t want to have your peaceful and relaxing camping experience ruined by that loud whirring? Going solar can be an excellent alternative. Solar panels don’t make any noise at all, so you can relax, recharge, and become one with nature more easily.

Save Money

It’s true that you’ll have to spend more money upfront on solar panels than you would on a generator for your RV. However, you’ll likely end up spending less money over time.

You won’t have to buy gas to keep your solar panels running, for example, nor will you have to pay to have parts replaced on a regular basis. Since nothing moves on solar panels, damage from everyday use is much less common.

Travel Farther

With solar panels, you can visit farther as well. You don’t have to limit yourself based on how much gas you have for the generator, for example. You can go wherever your heart fancies and rest easy knowing that you’ll still be able to power your RV with the help of the sun’s rays.

How to Choose Portable Solar Panels for RV Campers

Okay, you’re probably a bit more convinced that portable solar panels are a good option for you. How do you find the best solar panels for your RV, though?

The following tips will help you sort through all your options and make the best decision for yourself and your RV:

Conduct an Energy Audit

When you’re getting ready to install solar panels anywhere (a house, a business, an RV, etc.), it’s important to conduct an energy audit first.

An energy audit tells you how much power it takes on a regular basis to keep your RV up and running. This, in turn, will make it easier for you to figure out how many solar panels you’ll need.

It’ll also help you figure out what other devices you might want to purchase as you convert your RV to one that runs on solar energy.

Consider Your Storage Capacity

You’ll need to think about your RV’s physical storage capacity as well.

How many solar panels can it accommodate? How much room do you have for other pieces of equipment, including the inverters and inverter charger?

Take the amount of space your RV has to offer into account so you don’t end up with a ton of equipment and nowhere to keep it.

Decide Between Flexible and Rigid

When shopping for portable RV solar panels, you’ll have to choose between flexible panels and rigid panels.

As their names imply, flexible panels are thin, lightweight, and, well, flexible. They’re made of silicone, unlike rigid panels, which are made of poly- or mono-crystalline materials. Rigid panels are also heavier and thicker than their flexible counterparts.

There are benefits and drawbacks to both of these options.

Flexible panels won’t add extra weight to your RV and can be easier to install. They’re more prone to damage than rigid panels, though.

Rigid panels, on the other hand, may make your RV heavier than you’d like, and they can be a bit of an eyesore since they stand up more than flexible panels.

Get Multiple Quotes

When you’re shopping around for RV solar panels, it’s a good idea to get quotes from a few different companies. This will help you ensure you’re getting the best deal and aren’t settling for a subpar product.

Think About Your Budget

Of course, you’ll need to consider your budget as well.

How much can you afford to spend on solar panels for your RV? What kinds of tax credits can you enjoy after installing them?

Take all these factors into account before you settle on a solar panel company. Consider any maintenance or installation costs as well to get a clear picture of what you’ll end up paying.

Read Reviews

Finally, be sure to read reviews on solar kits and the companies that manufacture and sell them before making a final decision. Find out what other customers have to say about certain types of portable solar panels and how well they’ve worked for them.

Do your research and make sure you’re investing in a company that people trust and would use again in the future. This will save you from wasting your hard-earned money on poorly functioning solar panels or investing in a company that offers shoddy customer service.

Get Your Solar Panels Today

Now that you know more about the benefits of having a solar-powered RV, as well as how you can choose the right portable solar panels for RV campers, are you ready to go ahead and make the investment?

Keep these tips in mind as you begin shopping. They’ll help you ensure you’re picking out the right panels for your RV.

Do you need more advice on shopping for solar panels and other energy-efficient technology? If so, check out some of our other environment-focused articles today.

Tags: pannel, portable solar panels, power, solar