How to Use Solar Power on Your RV

Upgrading your RV to utilize solar power attracts people from all walks of life. Whether they are doing it simply to take advantage of more off-grid options, decrease their noise by getting rid of a generator, or support the movement to “go green”, solar power can help all these people enjoy their RV. Not to mention you can save money on the cost of gas or diesel once you pay off the cost of setting up your solar environment. But what steps will you need to take to get started on the path towards self-sufficient energy usage?

The first thing you’ll need to do is get your solar panels. How many panels you’ll need depends largely upon what appliances you plan to use. If the only things you’ll be powering are the lights, you’ll easily get by on much less than if you are powering lights, a refrigerator, a blender, a laptop, and a sound system. Figuring out what you’ll need can be intimidating, but we’re here to help bridge the gap so you don’t get stranded deep in the woods without the comforts of home.

Once you’ve determined how much power you need to intake, next you need to get the proper solar charge controller. The battery that stores and releases your power may be part of the RV itself or a separate battery in the solar power system. The solar charge controller prevents the battery from getting overloaded with power, helping protect you and your investment. Depending on the RV, you may also need a power inverter. Some RVs come with them installed to convert the DC power from your RVs battery to AC power so it can work with standard appliances, but plenty of models don’t have them. The most important step is ensuring that all of these components are compatible with one another. You don’t want to find out that your solar panels can’t connect to your solar charge controller 100 miles from the nearest town.

If you are savvy with electronics, you may be able to set this up yourself. If not, getting professional assistance to set it up properly is the safest way to ensure it works properly. Once you have it set up, find a beautiful sunny spot to enjoy your comfortable home on wheels while using your electronics!

If you have any questions or concerns about whether you could utilize solar power on your RV, as well as how you would go about it getting it set up, please give us a call at (719) 596-2716 and we’ll be happy to help you out. Make sure to check us out on Facebook and Instagram and give us a follow!