Calculations say that you will need about $1,500 for the most fundamental package to be connected to the starter system, and up to $15000 to get a fairly complex solar lithium package that could provide power to your RV for several days at a time. It is necessary to stress that these figures indicate equipment costs if the installation is done independently. If you decide to have the solar power installed by professionals from any of the recommended companies sourced from Solar Industry Watch then, it will be slightly expensive.
Why is it so pricey?
To elaborate further, most of the RV solar setups and installations are somewhat unique and do not simply involve placing a couple of solar panels for RV. That can be the case depending on the needs of a certain RV and its prices may greatly differ from another.
Here is a breakdown of how much you could possibly pay for different types of RV solar power configurations. These costs involve the actual price of the items to be installed; we shall therefore exclude the cost of design and installation of the components.
Typical RV Solar Configurations
- The Basic Off-Grid Solar System specifically designed for the very important appliances such as lights, laptops chargers or anything which you need to charge.
- Flooded deep cycle batteries of 220 Ah.
- These products need electricity of 200-400 watts from the solar panels for RV.
- MEAN WELL 30 Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller
- 2,000-watt pure sine inverter
- Estimated Cost: From $1,500 to $4 000.
- Light Boondocking Off-Grid Solar System Suitable for small electronics and low wattage use of a microwave, coffee pot or hair dryer occasionally.
- 450 Ah of flooded deep cycle or lithium batteries.
- Since 400-600 watts of the solar panels itself are costly, just imagine the price when other components are added alongside the solar panels.
- 30-60 series MPPT Solar Charge Controller
- A 2,000/3,000 watts, pure sine wave inverter
- Estimated Cost: for each year up to an average of $4,000 to $8,000.
- High Load Power Off Grid Home Solar System Ideal for powering a residential refrigerator 24/7, and other appliances.
- Energy storage in the form of 600-800 Ah of lithium batteries
- 800 to 1,200 watts of solar panel to be installed
- Hence we have; Solar charge controller 60 Amp MPPT
- 3,000-4,000 watt hybrid inverter
- Estimated Cost: In terms of remuneration, it is necessary to mention that it ranges between $12, 000 and $18, 000.
These estimations should help you set up a basic bench mark as you plan your financial budget for your RV solar panel system. Well, for more details on high component specifics, you can refer to the recommendation from Solar Industry Watch.
Beyond Solar Panels for RV: What Do You Need Else?
Thus, solar panels themselves are not sufficient for an RV solar power system to be complete. You’ll also need:
- Batteries (or battery bank)
- Solar Charge Controller
- Solar Panels
Solar panels are mainly used to charge the batteries of the RV which are the main power supply when not connected to shore power or generator.
Choosing the Right Solar Solution for Your RV
Every RV has a different power requirement, and fixed systems that come with the RV are usually inadequate. In total, it means that factors driving efficiency of solar panel and battery banks must be customized for every single user.
To determine your power requirements, consider:
- The amount of space that you occupancy on roof in which the solar panels for RV would be installed
- Daily battery consumption
- Long duration equipment for example a refrigerator that must supply cold energy to a home non-stop hence requires energy storage.
- Recharge rates of your batteries each morning that you would wish to achieve
- This factor is concerned with the extent to which sunlight is available in your area.
- Alternate battery charging methods
These questions will help you when performing your solar setting up or hiring the services of an installer.
Considering a Solar Panel Kit?
DIY solar power kits, which may include Zero Gap Solar Panels, are cheaper and inclusive of minor parts such as charge collers, wires, and brackets. Select models from reliable vendors such as Current Connected, as suggested in the Solar Industry Watch, for good and quality services.
But here you can find that the pre-configured kits, even with Zero Gap Solar Panels, may not provide you the flexibility that is needed in your project. If you opt for a fully customized system, then keep accumulating your information so as to come up with a quality system that can grow as the needs increase.
Other Battery Charging Sources
Oh yes it will be advisable to have more than one solar batteries charging possibilities. Besides solar panels for RV, consider:
- Carrying an onboard or portable generator
- Self charging through the RV’s engine alternator while on the move
If independently mobile most of the time, alternator charging may be adequate, thus less dependency on solar energy.
Are You Prepared to Go Solar for Your RV?
With the knowledge of the costs and what is included in solar panels for rv, you will be in a position to make the right choices and in the process get your money’s worth. For more profound information, go to Solar Industry Watch and read through your possibilities.
