Solar energy goes with RVing like coffee goes with cream. Even with a generator and RV batteries in place, this electricity-free solution offers you a power backup when you’re boondocking or camping off the grid and can save you a bundle on your electric bills. Quiet, clean, and eco-friendly, RV solar systems are easy to maintain and last for years.
The best RV solar panel kits can provide you with just the amount of power you need, whether you are just looking for peace of mind during an outage, only need to use a few devices, or you want to power your whole rig with this free and renewable source of energy. Outfitting your RV with a solar panel is not difficult—in some cases, you can use your new system right out of the box!
If you’re ready to take the plunge and make solar power part of your RV lifestyle, there’s never been a better time. Below, we’ve reviewed ten of the best RV solar panels to get you started. We’ve described the features of each, along with some specifications to help you make the best comparison.
1. Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit
If you’ve been window shopping for solar panels, you’ve likely come across this popular option from Renogy. There’s a good reason for that. It’s a reasonably priced panel that does a great job of supplying 100 watts of power through a 12-volt battery—enough to run several devices at once.
One of the most popular choices among RV enthusiasts, the panel is made with anti-reflective high-transparency glass and framed with corrosion-resistant aluminum. This sturdy choice is built to last and will easily withstand even the harshest weather. We love that this inexpensive solar starter kit comes with everything you need to install in your boat or RV. Plus, if you decide you need more juice, the system can be expanded up to 400 W.
The Specs
Panel(s): Monocrystalline
Weight: 16.5 Pounds
Dimensions: 42.2 X 19.6 X 1.38 Inches
Ideal Daily Output: 500Wh
What’s Included: 100W solar panel, 30A PWM negative ground charge controller, MC4 connectors, eight-foot 10AWG tray cable, mounting Z brackets.
2. WindyNation 100-watt Solar Panel Kit
The WindyNation 100-watt kit is rated as one of the best solar panel setups for the money. Depending upon how much sun you get, the polycrystalline panel can produce up to 350Wh per day, and you can expect to get around 100 watts of free power. Plus, it’s expandable. Depending on your needs, the PWM controller can handle eight 100-watt panels with a 24-volt system or four 100-watt panels with a 12-volt system.
One of our favorite features of this model is that users can adjust the settings. The kit comes with an LCD screen that displays voltage, temperature, amp-hours, amperage, and DC load-draw. Easy to install, this user-friendly solar panel kit is versatile and durable while being easy on your wallet.
The Specs
Panel(s): Polycrystalline
Weight: 19 Pounds
Dimensions: 40 x 26.4 x 1.4 Inches
Ideal Daily Output: 350Wh
What’s Included: 1x 100W solar panel, P20L charge controller, 40-inch 12 AWG solar cable, MC4 connectors, mounting hardware, AGM battery
3. ECO-WORTHY 200 Watts Monocrystalline Solar RV Kit
Next up is the ECO-WORTHY 200 Watt solar panel RV kit. This is an excellent choice that is suitable not only for your RV but for your boat, camp, shed, or home. Durable and dependable, you can also expand this system depending upon your needs. On a 12-volt system, you can add one more 100-watt panel, and a 24-volt system will handle two more 100-watt panels.
This is one of the top-rated solar RV kits on the market, and it’s a great value for the money. Well-reviewed, the kit comes with a one-year warranty, and ECO-WORTHY offers 24-hour tech support if you run into issues with installation or use. The controller features a built-in LCD display and is equipped with two handy USB ports so you can charge your mobile devices.
The Specs
Panel(s): Monocrystalline
Weight: 18.96 Pounds
Dimensions: 39.8×20.1×1.4 inches
Ideal Daily Output: 700Wh
What’s Included: Two-piece 100W mono solar panel, Two sets of Z style mounting brackets, 20A solar controller, one pair of 16.4-foot 10 AWG solar cables, one pair of two-in-one connectors
4. Renogy 100-Watt 12-Volt Monocrystalline Portable Solar Suitcase
If you are an RV’er who wants to utilize solar power on the road, but you don’t want to outfit your rig with a permanent solar setup, this next option is for you. It’s one of the best portable solar panel kits for the RV lifestyle, and it’s available at a genuinely decent price. Depending upon how much sunlight you have, this baby can generate up to 500Wh per day.
Basically, this is a complete Renogy solar setup packed into a rugged case for convenient portability, and it folds down to 19. 9 x 27. 2 x 2. 8 inches, making it easy to take in the car, on the boat, or wherever it fits. The panel features a built-in corrosion-free aluminum stand, and an easy-to-use LCD display on the charger lets you regulate the power output of the system. There are plenty of safety features in place, too—it has a five-stage negative ground charge controller that provides overcharge protection to reduce the risk of fire.
The Specs
Panel(s): Monocrystalline
Weight: 26.6 Pounds
Dimensions: 19.9 x 27.2 x 2.84 Inches
Ideal Daily Output: 500Wh
What’s Included: Two 50-watt monocrystalline solar panels, 20-amp waterproof voyager charge controller with LCD screen, 10-foot tray cable with alligator clips, protective case
5. Newpowa Two-Piece 100W Polycrystalline Solar Panel Module
Another excellent performer when it comes to the best solar panels for your RV is Newpowa’s two-piece solar panel module. Its exceptionally sturdy thanks to its low-iron tempered glass, rugged anodized aluminum frames, and EVA-encapsulated cells. Plus, with Newpowa’s 25-year transferable power output warranty, you can purchase this panel with confidence.
This is an extremely well-constructed panel with flawless wiring and cable connections, and perfectly aligned cells. It is worth noting, however, that for consistent performance, each cell must be exposed to sunlight, and if even one of them is blocked (by a twig or leaf, for example), power output is apt to drop considerably. Your purchase includes the two-piece panel only. The mounting hardware and controller are sold separately.
The Specs
Panel(s): Polycrystalline
Weight: 19.62 Pounds
Dimensions: 41.8 x 26.6 x 1.2 Inches
Ideal Daily Output: 350Wh
What’s Included: Two-piece 100W polycrystalline solar panel, three-foot cable with pre-attached MC4 connectors
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6. WindyNation Complete 400 Watt Solar Panel Kit
If you’re in the market for a setup that offers a full-scale solution to your energy needs, look no further than WindyNation’s Complete 400-watt kit. It’s a perfect kit for off-grid living and is designed not only for the RV lifestyle but for boats, homes, and cabins as well. The unit has more than enough juice to completely power large rigs.
The kit comes with everything you need to get started, including a 1500W power inverter, so you can run your appliances off a 12V battery. The inverter features cooling and temperature protection and an internal fuse, plus battery, overload, and short circuit protection for safety. It’s a highly versatile choice as well, with bundle options to add your choice of a 300ah or 400ah battery.
The Specs
Panel(s): Polycrystalline
Weight: 6 Pounds per panel (the whole kit weighs 100 pounds)
Dimensions: 40 x 26.4 x 1.2 Inches
Ideal Daily Output: 1600Wh
What’s Included: 4x 100W solar panel, P30L charge controller, 1500W VertaMax power inverter, 40-foot 12 AWG solar cable, MC4 connectors, mounting hardware, battery/inverter connect cables
7. Go Power! Weekender Solar Kit
If you are looking for a complete plug and play solution to outfit your RV with solar panels, you’re in luck. The GoPower! Weekender Solar Kit will exceed your expectations. With an expected output of 800Wh, it’s enough to power multiple small appliances and devices without a hitch. It includes a 1500-watt industrial power inverter, an install kit, and a switching kit so you can easily swap over from shore to solar power at any time.
You can integrate this system with little effort with your rig’s stock power converter, and although the Go Power! Weekender Kit does not come with a battery, it will definitely top off your existing ones. Go Power! recommends a battery with a minimum of 200Ah. You can expand this system all the way up to 480W of pure, renewable, clean, and free solar power.
The Specs
Panel(s): Monocrystalline
Weight: 32 Pounds
Dimensions: 59.1 x 26.3 x 1.57 inches
Ideal Daily Output: 800Wh
What’s Included: 60W solar panel, PWM-30 charge controller, 1500W pure sine wave power inverter, inverter remote and install kit, switching kit, 50-footMC4 10 AWG solar cable, mounting hardware
8. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Extremely Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
There are times when a standard solar panel is too difficult to mount. If your RV has a curved roof, for example, you may have given up on your dreams of powering your rig with the sun. That’s where this flexible option from Renology comes in. It’s made with advanced polymer materials and has a 248-degree flex range for those hard-to-reach spots. Although it’s only a tenth of an inch tall and weighs just over four pounds, it’s still sturdy enough to hold up under windy or snowy conditions.
Aside from its affordability, one of the things we love about this flexible solar panel is that it’s perfect for airstreams, teardrop campers, and boats. Plus, you can choose from 50, 100, 160, or 175-watt panels depending on your energy needs. Installation is straightforward and should take you just a few hours from start to finish. Instead of traditional mounting hardware, it’s installed using silicone structural adhesive on the backside of the panel. One word of caution, though—the edges can be sharp, so you are advised to wear protective gloves.
The Specs
Panel(s): Monocrystalline
Weight: 4 Pounds
Dimensions: 47.9 x 21 x 0.1 Inches
Ideal Daily Output: 500Wh
What’s Included: 100W flexible solar panel, IP68 rated waterproof junction box, MC4 connectors with cables.
9. ALLPOWERS Flexible 100W RV Solar Panel
Like the Renology, the ALLPOWERS Flexible 100W RV Solar Panel is the perfect solution when you want solar power for your rig, but a curved roof makes it impossible. Perfect for RV’s, boats, cabins, trailers, and even tents, it packs 100 watts of solar power into a frameless panel that weighs just under five pounds.
It curves up to a maximum of 30 degrees and provides remarkable durability. Plus, the fact that it’s so lightweight and slim makes this an extremely portable option. It features four reinforced mounting holes, so you can hang or mount this panel on nearly any surface for free energy wherever the road takes you. Be aware that this is a standalone product rather than a kit. You will need to purchase a battery and controller separately.
The Specs
Panel(s): Monocrystalline
Weight: 4.7 Pounds
Dimensions: 41 x 21 x 0.09 inches
Ideal Daily Output: 500Wh
What’s Included: 100W flexible solar panel, instruction manual
10. Go Power! PSK 130 Portable Folding Solar Kit
Last on our list is Go Power’s PSK 130. This portable folding kit is a fast, no-fuss solution when you want to power your batteries with pure sunlight. It features an Anderson-style connector, so if you need to swap out accessories to customize the setup, you should have no problems. Getting started is a breeze, too—the integrated cables with battery clamps let you use this unit right out of the box.
If you’re the type of RV family that likes to keep things organized, you will love this model. It folds right up for storage in the enclosed carrying case, and you can stash it out of sight in moments. It also comes with a solar controller, so you don’t need to worry about that additional purchase. While it is one of the pricier options on our list, it’s one of the best RV solar panels in terms of performance, and it comes with a 25-year warranty. Another huge plus is the ability to park your RV in the shade and use a connector cable to place the panel in full sunlight for the best of both worlds.
The Specs
Panel(s): Monocrystalline
Weight: 33 Pounds
Dimensions: 32.5 x 39.8 x 1.4 Inches
Ideal Daily Output: 500Wh
What’s Included: 130W solar panel, 10amp digital controller, battery clamps, plugs, connectors with cables, carrying case
BR Staff August 2020
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