Is a Solar Panel System Right for Your RV?

If you have an RV or are considering one, perhaps solar panels have crossed your mind or come up in conversation.

As a family-owned and operated business, we strive to teach our kids the importance of caring for our environment. The RV lifestyle is a great way to connect with mother nature and we want to protect it for future generations.

Having a smaller carbon footprint is a fantastic reason to get solar power. Long term savings and cost-effective energy production are great reasons to go with solar energy. We enjoy the option of being able to unplug for boondocking expeditions too!

At East Coast Campers and More, most of our RVs are already solar prepped. The term “solar power prepped” means your RV has either the wiring or the wiring and the ports installed to easily add solar panels.

There are a few things to consider when you’re getting ready to purchase and install a solar panel system. Keep in mind you should always consult with a professional when you’re dealing with electrical equipment.

What are the Main Components of a Solar Panel System?

Solar Panels

There are two main types of solar panels to consider.

Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline.

There’s a big debate as to which of these is better than the other.

The main difference is how they are manufactured, but due to advances in technology, they are becoming more and more interchangeable.

In most areas, monocrystalline is more efficient for the same amount of space and handles temperature and shade much more efficiently. (Note: NO solar panel works well in shade, the differences are very minor in how monocrystalline and polycrystalline handle shade.)

At the end of the day, monocrystalline is the better option, but the difference isn’t enough to warrant keeping you up at night.

Charge Controller

The charge controller regulates the power input to the battery down to around 12-15 volts.

There are two kinds of controllers.

PWM – Pulse Width Modulation and MPPT – Maximum Power Point Tracking.

PWM is older technology, is much less efficient and other than being inexpensive, and it is pretty much a waste of your time according to the experts.

MPPT is a new technology, more efficient, and has more processing power.

Talk to the maintenance department at East Coast Campers and More today to find out which one is right for you.

The Battery

There are several types of batteries that you can use with your solar panel system, the most common types being Lithium and AGM batteries.

If you can afford it, lithium batteries are much better quality, provide more power for the same size battery, and will give you more bang for your buck in the long run.

With your battery, you’ll need an Inverter/Charger combo and a battery monitor.

Look Into Going Solar

Going green is highly recommended for anyone interested in energy savings and getting off the grid. These days you will see many RVs taking advantage of using the sun’s natural energy.

If you need more information or have any questions about your solar panel requirements just give us a call. Our service technicians would be happy to share their knowledge and expertise with you.

East Coast Campers and More is a Delaware RV Dealership.  Call us today at (844) 876-0872.

This article was written by Kristi Durham.