Comparison Table
Best Solar Panels for RV Use FAQ
Before we get into our list of the 10 Best Solar Panels for RV Use, let’s take a look at some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that we get about the best solar panels for RV use.
1. Are Bendable or Rigid Solar Panels More Durable?
The answer is really that it depends on your usage. Bendable solar panels offer the benefits of being flexible, meaning they won’t shatter like glass panels, and being incredibly light and thin, which means they are easily transported from location to location. On the other hand, some rigid solar panels feature anti-corrosive aluminum frames and tempered glass making them incredibly strong and capable of withstanding high winds and snow weight.
2. How Much Power Do I Need from My RV’s Solar Panel?
This answer can vary widely based on a number of factors, including the size of your RV, the number of electronic appliances you run, and the number of people staying in your RV. For many smaller RVs with small, energy-efficient appliances, a 100-watt panel will prove sufficient. If you are unsure, you can buy a system with upgradable capacity, beginning with a 100-watt panel and adding more later, as needed. Many of the 100-watt solar starter kits on our list of 10 Best Solar Panels for RV Use are upgradeable to a maximum capacity of 400 watts with the purchase of additional panels.
3. Why Is Solar Better than Using a Gas-Powered Generator?
There are a number of reasons to ditch that old, dirty gas-powered generator and join the solar revolution. Solar is cleaner, quieter, cheaper to operate, and better for the environment than a gas-powered generator. And with each new generation of solar panels, the gap between the power output of solar and gas-powered generators continues to narrow, as does the price differential.
4. If I Switch to Solar, Will I Be Left without Power When the Sun Doesn’t Shine?
Some people resist switching to solar because they’re afraid they’ll be left without power when the sun doesn’t shine. First, solar panels charge large-capacity batteries that are then used to power your RV during bad weather or at night. Second, many users choose to keep their gas-powered generators on-hand as an additional backup power supply, if necessary.
How We Reviewed
Image source: Unsplash
When it comes to solar panels, there are a variety of important criteria to compare. In compiling our 10 Best Solar Panels for RV Use, we considered power output, size, weight, durability, materials, versatility, ease of installation, ease of use, reliability, compatibility, and, of course, price.
What We Reviewed
Features
This solar start kit from Renogy features a 100W, 12V monocrystalline solar panels along with the Renogy Wanderer, a 30A PWM charge controller that can handle up to 400W (requires additional panels that must be purchased separately) and which can be used for a variety of off-the-grid purposes. The package also comes with an 8-foot 10AWG tray cable, which connects the charge controller and battery, and a Renogy 20-foot 10AWG MC4 adapter kit.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
Renogy offers a warranty based on power output, guaranteeing at least 95% power output for 5 years; at least 90% power output for 10 years; and at least 80% power output for 25 years.
Features
This solar starter kit from WindyNation is particularly outfitted for use on an RV or boat. It includes a 100W WindyNation solar panel, a 30-amp WindyNation P30L solar charger controller with LCD display and battery temperature sensor, MC4 connectors/adapters, solar-panel mounting hardware, and 40 feet of UL-listed 12 AWG solar cable.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
WindyNation includes a 2-year warranty on parts and labor.
Features
Unlike some of the other configurations that made our list of best solar panels for RV use, this offering from HQST does not come with a solar charger controller. However, for just the panels, this leaves plenty of money for you to select your own controller, allowing you to customize your own setup based on your needs and budget.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
The HQST 100W solar panel comes with a 25-year power output warranty and a 5-year material and workmanship warranty.
Features
This 200-watt solar starter kit from Renogy features essentially the same specs as the 100-watt version, but it comes with two 100-watt solar panels as opposed to one. It features the same Renogy 30A PWM negative-ground charge controller known as the Renogy Wanderer, and, with a 100-watt Renogy solar panel available for purchase on Amazon separately, one could just as easily purchase a 100-watt Renogy starter kit now and add an additional 100-watt panel later if needed.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
Renogy offers a warranty based on power output, guaranteeing at least 95% power output for 5 years; at least 90% power output for 10 years; and at least 80% power output for 25 years.
Features
This solar kit from Go Power! includes not only a 160-watt solar panel and 30-amp PWM controller, it also features a complete 1500-watt inverter system, making it ready to power your AC appliances, from a TV to a microwave. All you need to add is the battery, and you’ll have power 24/7 without the need for a noisy, polluting gas-powered generator.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
Go Power! provides a 25-year warranty on power output.
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Features
This ultra-thin, flexible 100-watt solar panel from Suaoki is perfect for areas where traditional, rigid solar panels made of glass and aluminum just won’t fit. Remarkably, these bendable panels are only 0.1-inches thick and weigh under 5 pounds.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
Suaoki provides a 12-month warranty from date of purchase.
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Features
These bendable solar panels from ALLPOWERS are less expensive than some other bendable panels on our list of Best Solar Panels for RV Use, making them an option for budget-conscious buyers who would like the benefits of flexible panels.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
The ALLPOWERS bendable solar panel comes with an 18-month warranty.
Features
This foldable 100-watt solar panel from ACOPOWER actually features two 50-watt panels that fold down for easier storage, making for greater portability and storage between temporary uses. It even comes with a protective suitcase, making it the ultimate portable, temporary solar rig.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
ACOPOWER includes an 18-month workmanship warranty and a 25-year warranty on power output.
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Features
The Newpowa two-piece 100-watt solar panels feature two separate 50-watt panels. They do not come with a controller or mounting brackets, which must be purchased separately.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
Newpowa includes a transferable 25-year warranty on power output.
Features
For those who need maximum power, Renogy offers this 400-watt solar starter with the Adventurer 30A PWM flush-mount charge controller. The panels feature corrosion-resistant aluminum frames that are designed for four-season use in all conditions, including high winds and snow.
PROS
CONS
Warranty
Renogy offers a warranty based on power output, guaranteeing at least 95% power output for 5 years; at least 90% power output for 10 years; and at least 80% power output for 25 years.
The Verdict
Image source: Unsplash
When it comes to determining the best solar panels for RV use, a lot depends on your needs, usage, and budget. If a 100-watt panel simply won’t suffice, we recommend the Renogy KIT-400D, with its highly durable 400-watt setup that includes four 100-watt panels and Renogy’s Adventurer charge controller.
However, if you already have a controller and other accessories, and you’re simply looking to add more wattage, you would probably prefer one of the standalone solar panels that made our list of 10 Best Solar Panels for RV Use.
Bendable solar panels, while a bit more expensive than some of the rigid glass models on our list, are incredibly light, thin, durable, and easy-to-install, making them a great option if you plan to use your panels in multiple locations, such as on your RV, boat, and cabin.
Whichever setup is right for you, you can’t go wrong with any of our 10 Best Solar Panels for RV Use. Any of these high-quality, reliable solar rigs will have you off-the-grid for years to come using free, clean power right from the sun, without the need for noisy, smelly, and polluting gas-powered generators.
Last update on 2023-09-30 at 15:01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Details
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