How to size the solar panels for your RV?

The right-sized solar panels can make your RV life smooth and comfortable.

Recreational Vehicles (RVs) are one of the most convenient ways of living and traveling.

Moreover, the recent pandemic has changed the way of traveling.

People are opting for RV, avoiding traveling in crowded public transport, and staying in hotels.

The recent data shows that the RV market is valued at over $ 48 billion in 2021 and it is predicted to reach over 70 billion in 2027.

North America is the largest consumer of RVs around the world.

And

The RV demand is rapidly increasing in the Asia-Pacific region.

What is an RV?

It is a recreational vehicle that is designed for living accommodations on wheels. There are RVs under different names such as campervans, caravans, motorhomes, and truck campers.

A typical RV includes a kitchen, bathroom, and a sleeping room.

Electrical appliances and gadgets in an RV:

From basic, you can have luxurious facilities such as air conditioners, water heaters, and television.

If you are planning to live a mobile life in RV then installing solar panels on it would be a great investment.

Before that let us understand what solar panels are and how they work.

When you travel in RV you need the energy to run your electrical appliances.

And

These electrical appliances can be run easily with solar.

“An RV needs two to four (200 to 270) watts solar panels to meet the daily energy needs of the users.”

An Average

A basic solar power system

Well,

You need certain components to make the solar power system work effectively and efficiently.

A basic solar power system consists of the following components:

• Solar Panels
• Batteries
• Inverter
• Solar charge controller
• Connecting wires

1. Solar Panels

2. Inverter

The inverter takes the direct current from the solar and converts it into an alternating current.

Finally, this alternating current runs our fans, ac, water heaters, etc.

3. Battery

When you need to run your appliance at the night then you require a battery backup.

The solar panels are in the daytime to charge the battery.

(The solar charge controller is placed between the solar panels and the battery. It regulates the charging of the battery and prevents the backflow of current).

The battery stores this energy in the chemical form (a kind of potential energy) and when you withdraw this energy, it gets converted into electrical energy (the battery produces direct current).

Again, the inverter is required to do this conversion (dc to ac).

In this way, the battery run the RV appliances at the night.

Factors affecting the size of the solar panels for RV

However, the size varies depending on the location and the energy needs.

Let us understand the parameters that affect the sizing of the solar panels.

1. Sunlight

The most important factor that affects the sizing of the solar panels is the sunlight intensity in your region.

If the region where your RV is running receives good sunlight. Then fewer solar panels can meet your energy needs.

While on another hand, a region with low sunlight needs more solar panels to meet the same energy needs.

A simple inverse relation:

The sunlight intensity depends on your location.

If you live around the equator, your region receives the maximum sunlight.

And

As we move away from the equator towards the sunlight intensity reduces.

Also, the water content in the air blocks the sunlight from falling on the solar panel.

If your region is humid then there are chances that it blocks the sunlight.

Each region, state, and country have different Peak Sun Hours.

If you want to read more about Peak Sun Hours and its variations then I recommend you to read this post.

2. Your Energy needs

Another important aspect is your energy consumption.

When you are traveling or living in an RV.

You use various electrical appliances so that you make your journey comfortable.

So how do we figure out the energy consumption?

The first step is to write down all the electrical appliances that you have in your RV.

And you want to run on Solar.

The second step is to figure out their power rating.

The power rating is generally written on the appliances.

In case, you don’t find then google it.

You’ll get the power rating.

Finally, know the average daily consumption of each appliance.

Make a table of your observation.

This will help you in finding the total energy requirements of the day.

Let us figure out with the help of an example.

Assuming I want to run the following appliances and gadgets on Solar.

Add all the energy consumed by the appliance and the gadgets.

You get the total energy consumption of the day.

3. Technology of the solar panels

The technology of solar panels plays an important role in the power output of your RV.

The roof space is fixed and limited in an RV.

The latest technology solar panels produce more power even in limited space.

You know that monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient than polycrystalline ones.

(The monocrystalline solar panels are costlier than the polycrystalline ones).

Also, when the monocrystalline solar panels are integrated with other sophisticated technologies like Mono-PERC solar panels and half-cut solar cell technology.

The heating losses are further minimized.

And

We get more power from solar panels to run our appliances and gadgets.

Sizing the solar panels for RV

Finally, based on the total energy consumed in a day, we can size the solar panels.

From the above table, we get the total energy is

3534 kWh

The formula for sizing the solar panels.

Solar panel size = (Energy needs/Peak Sun Hours) x 1.4 (multiplier)

You might be wondering about the multiplier in the formula.

Well, like in any other system, the solar power system does suffer from losses such as:

• Heating loss
• Transfer loss
• Dirt loss
• Shading loss
• Conversion loss and many more.

In order to compensate for these losses, a multiplier of 1.4 is used.

We discussed that the Peak Sun Hours depend on the location.

Assuming you are driving your RV in Indiana.

Which receives an average PSH of 4.55

In that case, the solar panel size would be:

3534/4.55 x 1.4 = 1087 watts

4 x 270 watts solar panels.

Similarly, if we are in California which receives an average PSH of 5.73.

Then the solar panel size would be:

3534 w-hr/5.73 x 1.4 = 863.4 watts

4 x 220 watts solar panels.

See, how the change in the location affects the solar panels’ size.

When I talk about very basic needs in RV then 2 x 200 watts solar panels can do fine.

Fixed Solar Power System vs. Portable

After deciding to go solar with your RV.

You have 2 options one is a fixed solar power system and another is a portable one.

Fixed solar power system for RV

In a fixed system, the solar panels are installed and fitted on the roof of the RV.

While in a portable system, you can place solar panels anywhere you like.

Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Under a fixed system, you need not re-assemble, re-connect or re-install the system.

Once the solar panels are installed on the roof of the RV, they start producing current.

The fixed system is preferred by RV owners who travel a lot under the sun.

The main disadvantage of this system is that you always need to park your RV under the sun to get the system working.

Portable Solar Power System

While on the other hand, portable systems offer the flexibility of placing the solar panels anywhere and in the direction of the maximum sunlight.

(You know the relative position of the sun and earth keeps changing).

The portable solar power systems are suitable for those who go for picnics and outings.

That enables them to put it on the ground and enjoy electricity.

However, the following points must be considered while choosing a portable solar power system.

• Portability: The system should be portable so that you can carry it along with you. In that case, the size and weight of the solar generators and the batteries should be manageable.

Remember, as your energy need increases the battery size and weight increase proportionally.

Therefore, you should look for solar generators that are compact and easy to carry like wheels attached so that you can carry it easily anywhere.

• Efficiency: Look for a highly efficient system. This makes it compact and lightweight. If I talk about solar panels in the system, the monocrystalline solar panel are more efficient than polycrystalline ones.
• The adventurous trip can be spoiled if it takes too long and difficult to assemble the system. Look for a portable system that is easy to install and carry.

Affiliate Disclosure:
This post contains affiliate links. It means that I will get compensated when you click on these links and buy the products. However, I fully recommend these products when it comes to solar portability, power and performance for your RV.

I recommend ECO Flow and Bluetti for more power, battery capacity, great performance, and multiple charging.

My final thoughts through an infographic

The size of solar panels for RV is between 2 x 200 watts to 4 x 270 watts.

Their sizing depends on your location and energy needs.

In a good sunlight region, you meet your energy needs with fewer panels.

The solar panel sizing formula is 1.4 times the ratio of Energy needs and the PSH in your region.

You need to choose between a

fixed solar power system and the portable one.

The choice depends on your lifestyle.

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