Camping off-grid can be tough for long periods with tank limits, generator use restrictions, and battery power limits. It’s also difficult to keep food cold and stay cool yourself without reliable power. That being said, major improvements in the solar market are making the boondockers, or more self-reliant RVers, a little less dependent on plugging in and burning fuel.
New Power Technologies Makes Solar Accessible
More and more RV manufacturers are equipping their rigs with solar “hookups” to make the technology more accessible. Russ Lovell, a semi full-time RVer and co-founder of RVPlusYou.com [kind of a like a Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO) for RV owners], said this technology is promising for the serious RVer.
“Because of LED technology, which requires less power, it’s possible to power everything [on your rig] with solar,” Lovell says. “This means less expense in fuel and maintenance for generators, which also means less noise at campgrounds. If you can go a whole weekend with no generator at a dry camp, that’s huge.”
Eva Mitic, marketing manager at Go Power!, says that RVers can invest in the technology at different levels – from a simple as powering a cell phone charger or a microwave to a full off-grid setup with a residential refrigerator. Go Power! is a leading innovator of solar and mobile power solutions specifically for RVs, offering a full range of high-quality solar chargers, inverters, controllers and power accessories for off-grid explorers.
Even though solar is a great, renewable resource, it’s not without certain drawbacks. We list some key pros and cons of implementing solar energy on your RV. [Photo/National Scenic Trails]
Yes, Solar Is Costly, But Costs Are Mostly Up-Front
The promise of clean, green, quiet power can be alluring for the off-grid enthusiast. Yet, it does involve some initial equipment costs that may be prohibitive to the casual camper. But for the full-timer or committed boondocker, there’s real promise in this technology.
LetsGoSolar.com, a project dedicated to promoting the solar power industry, has an in-depth guide for powering your camping setup with solar power. They break down cost by power needs and even give a full guide to what it takes to get started – panels, batteries, inverters and controllers.
According to their research, the casual camper or full-timer (assuming that you’re paying monthly rent that includes your electricity) isn’t going to come out ahead purchasing solar panels. But committed boondockers who want to avoid the cost of campsites may be able to recoup their solar investment in two to four years.
Solar Shines in Smaller Conveniences
It appears that the current solar technology is most effective for modern conveniences such as charging device batteries (think tablets, phones, lanterns) and running small electronics (coffee makers, blenders, computers). When RVers scale their efforts in solar power (refrigerators or other energy hogs), the technology gets costlier and, in some cases, problematic.
Lovell says their solar panels make power cleaner and less costly by using it for their modern conveniences.
“We power our computers, Ninja blender for morning shakes, coffee maker, and, yes, a residential, full-size refrigerator with solar energy,” Lowell says.
According to Nick Liberati, communication manager for EnergySage (a company that helps consumers shop for solar technology), RV solar panels come in two forms – rooftop and portable. The portable solar panels are the most common for RV trips because they are smaller and more easily transported. Their main purpose is typically a backup power source.
“A standard panel usually produces between 100 and 200 watts of power per panel,” Liberati says. “Portable panels produce closer to 100 watts.” Portable panels often include a kickstand or fold in some way to make transport easier.
Determining your power usage is based on what you want to power. LetsGoSolar has a useful chart on watts per appliance per day. That will help you determine your solar charging needs.
Mitic says the most popular configuration they’re currently seeing is utilizing panels to help charge batteries and make small appliances more convenient.
“Our most popular product is the single-panel Overlander Solar kit,” she says. “It includes a 170-watt solar panel, a 30-amp solar controller, as well as all the wire and mounting hardware necessary to break into using solar power to charge your batteries.
“Most people pair this with a 1500-watt pure sine wave inverter so they can charge their cell phones, run a stereo, and/or their coffee maker without being plugged in [to the grid].”
“26.8 cubic ft. residential fridge in RV that is powered by solar for those who off-grid camp on the regular.” [Photo/RVPlusYou]
This solar charging kit helps keep batteries charged when your RV is off grid power. It charges most common camper batteries, which can power smaller appliances.
Connected living requires a power source and solar can be a good backup or primary source of this, but it’s important to be prepared and knowledgeable. It’s also important to have backup power methods.
Refrigerator – To Solar Power or Not?
Lovell and his wife took a six-week dry camping trip last year and blogged about their experiment in powering their residential refrigerator with solar. Their experience was eye-opening and frustrating, yet the information he gives in the article about his “test” of a solar-powered refrigerator is an excellent primer on getting started with a solar RV project. They ran into quite a few problems with the wiring (blown breakers, wrong wires and discharged batteries) during their “green-power-the-fridge” experiment.
However, they are still committed to the technology. It just requires the know-how and educating yourself thoroughly. He also says that you need to be prepared to spend money to do it right.
He recommends the DIY route for installation or at least checking a professional’s work.
“Do it yourself if you can,” Lovell wrote in his review of the solar powered fridge. “Owning an RV is expensive. It’s not an asset, it’s a money pit. If you can’t do the work yourself, then at least follow the next tip. Check the work.”
What’s to Lose with Solar?
Solar power is becoming much more accessible, but with any newer technologies, it does have its drawbacks. It’s expensive. It can be complicated. It doesn’t always work. Sunlight is required, after all. Mitic offered a few considerations when looking at your solar-powered options:
· Size your solar options correctly - “On paper, it does look expensive when you’re thinking about going full-bore on an off-grid solar system. But when you properly size your system to your camping needs and consider the cost savings in fuel and battery replacements, it tends to alleviate those stresses.”
· Get professional assistance in installs and wiring - Mitic and Lovell both stressed the importance of professionalism in installing solar elements to your camper.
· Check your warranties - Mitic says that warranties are so specific to each manufacturer, it’s important to check them first. Be smart and ask good questions about what’s covered.
· Don’t go cheap on your panels - Mitic warned that opting for a lower-cost, lower-quality solar panel setup can raise your costs in the long-run. “One thing people seem to be doing is opting for cheap panels from China, usually purchased online,” she says. “Those panels are usually sub-par quality and they will need replacing far sooner than a quality panel.”