Last Updated on August 27, 2021 by Editor G
More than 11% of the households in the USA have an RV. Looking at the benefits of RV camping, it is simple to understand why. After all, this is the one camping that you can engage in with your household and enjoy the comforts of home.
While it is not exactly glamping, for a person who loves his or her comforts, RV beats tent camping any time. You can make your recreational vehicle much better and more eco-friendly by getting the best solar panels for RV.
And why not? With the world going crazy about renewable energy, it does feel good when you use solar energy to power your RV. However, it is not cost-free at the beginning. There is the installation cost, the price of the solar panels and kits to consider. Once you are done with the installation costs, you will be rewarded by clean energy. In your heart of hearts, you will be happy that you are doing Mother Nature a good turn.
Ultimately, the biggest investment when equipping your RV with solar energy is buying the solar panels. There are many of them in the market and for a beginner, it can be a bit daunting to know what to buy. Read the reviews that we bring you here, so that you do not buy your solar panels blindly.
Reviews of 3 Best Solar Panels for RV
Read our three reviews of solar panels to use in an RV before you order one. That way, you will know the panel’s features, power rating and many more things.
100-Watt Renogy Solar Panel for RV
We start with the Renogy 100-watt solar panel because it has a lot to write home about. First, the design is really good. This monocrystalline panel is sleek,and it weighs a manageable 17 pounds. You may order this panel alone, or you can buy it as part of a bigger pack. The minimal weight makes it easy to fit on the RV’s roof.
This solar panel is compatible with different kinds of batteries. For example, you can use it with flooded, lithium, sealed and gel batteries. It also sold with a charge controller with an LCD display that shows you important stats such as charge progress, errors and so on.
You will also get a collapsible aluminum stand. It is corrosion-resistant so you can use it in outdoor settings. This stand is also adjustable so you can position it accordingly to catch the most shine.
You are assured of safety, thanks to the low voltage that helps prevent shocks and other hazards. It also has a 20A solar charge controller, which is actually built-in. This means that your system is protected from any oversurges, which could damage and gadgets like your travel laptop.
What we like
• It has high quality handles for carrying from point to point
• The solar panel comes with protective case for transport
• Light in weight – you can manage alone
• Waterproof charge controller
What we don’t like
• No warranty information
18-Watt SUNER POWER RV Solar Panel
The SUNER POWER solar panel is a smaller, more affordable option for RV, motorbike camping, car camping and other adventures. You can use this panel to charge your 12-volt battery to capacity. This panel also has some built-in protection measures. It has a Maximum Power Point Tracking charge controller that manages the charging process. It protects the battery from oversurge. In addition, this MPPT chip also enhances the charging time. It charges batteries to full capacity up to 20 percent faster.
The solar panel has a visual monitor that helps to check the conditions of the battery. For example, solid green color is for battery full. Flashing red indicates that the battery has a normal output while solid red indicates an error.
The face of the solar panel is made of tempered glass and the casing is made of high quality ABS plastic.In addition, the panel comes with the required cables. That way, it is practically plug-and-play without the need to hire a professional for installation.
What is the main benefit of using this solar panel? It has a trickling effect, meaning that as long as there is sunshine, it will keep charging the battery to keep it topped up all the time. That way, your battery never need go flat.
What we like
• This solar panel system is weatherproof – protects against sun, snow and wind
• Protection against short circuit and reverse polarity
• Intelligent system with LED indicator light for different status
• 12-month warranty
What we don’t like
• Some customers have complained of leaking charger
>> Read also our guide to the best antennas for RVs
100-Watt HQST 12-V Solar Panel for RV
This is one of the best solar panels for RV. It comes with predrilled holes on the back panel for easier installation. These holes are also compatible with different installation systems such as brackets, tilt mounts and even poles.
HQST uses high quality material such as tempered glass. This is also low iron glass and therefore it has extra stiffness that resists impacts very well. The junction box is IP65 for more protection from particles and it can resist low pressure water jets.
In addition to the tempered glass panel, there is a high quality aluminum frame. It is durable and corrosion-resistant and it can last tens of years in great shape. However, not only is the structure of high quality, but the cells are quite efficient too. Their performance is improved by the advanced material (multi-layer sheets) encapsulating the panel. This solar panel can make maximum use of minimal sunshine. It has by-pass diodes that prevent power drops and enhances power harvesting even in low-light conditions.
What we like
• Hefty warranty package of 25 years for power output, 10 years for efficiency rate, 5 years for materials
• Good, affordable price
• High quality materials
What we don’t like
• Cannot be installed by a person who does not have experience
Wrapping Up
Buying the best solar panels for RV is not too hard if you have the right information such as we have brought you here. There are many options on the market though and you might not have the time to compare several of them side-by-side. In this article, we have brought you three high quality solar panels that will give you good value for money. With these panels, you can make your RV eco-friendly and have unending power supply when you are camping.
Gareth Evans is a travel writer and entrepreneur living life as a digital nomad. Gareth is currently living and working in Thailand.