Yes, you’ll have to do some math, but it’s worth it to avoid finding yourself helpless.
As climate change continues to worsen, renewable energy is becoming increasingly important in everyday life, particularly with new consumer markets opening up (such as rechargeable solar power in the UK). One of the most widespread areas of mainstream renewable energy comes from solar power in RVs, where rigs can provide off-grid power without the noise of a typical generator. However, there are several steps and stipulations to keep in mind when opting for solar panels, chief among them being the amount of solar power needed to run an RV’s systems.
It’s possible to power your campervan entirely using solar energy, although you’ll need some tinkering to store that energy for when the sun is gone. It is more common among RV users to combine solar power with power from a non-solar generator, but all-solar power is possible with a battery bank, inverter, and charge controller. These pieces of technology allow you to store solar energy, convert that energy from DC to AC to charge your RV system, and channel that energy from the panels to the battery bank, respectively.
What should you pay attention to when using solar panels
The specifications of these devices will largely depend on the number of solar panels you need for your installation (for example, the ideal size of an inverter is approximately 1.25 times the amount of watts you will need at any given time). A 100W solar panel, taking into account changes in weather and exposure to sunlight, will receive approximately 350W of power per day. You’ll want to check how much energy your devices use throughout the day and add it all up. The easiest way to do this is to check the label on each device. If it only lists volts and amps, multiply them together to get watts.
Not only do you need to look at the gadgets you keep in your RV (like a charger, portable heater, any cooking technology, GPS, etc.), but you also need to consider the panels themselves. No panel will generate the maximum amount of energy advertised, especially during periods of low sun exposure or when traveling through forested areas. The ideal temperature of solar panels is also something to pay attention to, as cooler temperatures will yield more efficient results – so bright, cold days are ideal for efficiency.
The 20 percent rule
A 400W panel will work well for many of these purposes and will also fit the 20% rule followed by most solar panel users. This rule is simply the idea that a solar installation should produce 20% more energy than it needs, to help you cope with times when sunlight is scarce. You need to make sure you are prepared for when your solar panel is operating below maximum output, as this will be the case the majority of the time.
Ultimately, you’ll need to make sure you have the right numbers before committing. Count how many watts each of your devices uses per hour, then determine how many you use those devices per day (so if you use something that uses 1,500 watts per hour, but you only use it ten minutes per day, that’s only about 250 watts). Once you have your total, you will need a solar installation capable of producing that amount per day, plus 20% more.
