Solar Power For RVs - Cheaper With More Flexibility

It would seem that solar power is an ideal fit for recreational vehicles or RVs because much of the time you are traveling on the open roads your solar power panel can be collecting the Sun's radiation. And in many ways this is true, depending on where you are traveling and the climate. Indeed a combination of stored battery charge from the motor vehicles engine and a solar power panel can provide all your energy needs for your weekends or weeks away. This article will discuss some of the considerations when getting solar power for RVs.

So the basic set up of solar power for RVs is one or more solar panels. These are normally placed on the roof of the vehicle and can be mounted so that they can be moved to get maximum benefit from the Sun. A solar panel is comprised of many photovoltaic cells (PV cells). PV cells convert sunlight into direct current electricity. This can be used to charge your battery bank that is used to run many of the appliances in the RV.

Traditionally most RVs get their power from the charging of batteries when the motor is running. This is done by the alternator. When the RV is stopped, they may use a fuel power generator to provide power or they may stop at a camp site that has utility points.

The advantage of a solar power system over these two alternatives is that there is no noise associated with the solar system unlike a generator. And the solar system gives you the freedom to stop anywhere without needing to resort to venues that have power points. If the solar panels are mounted on the roof then you can move the vehicle so that it always gets the most sun possible.

An alternative to mounting the PV cells on the roof is to have a ground standing portable solar power panel. This can be placed anywhere near the RV provided the connection is long enough.

Even though you can get most of the power resources you need using systems like these, it is important to know how much electricity you are likely to use. Then you can get the right size panel for your needs. And despite the fact that Solar energy is essentially free after initial installation, you should still try to be as efficient with your energy usage as possible.

For instance, certain appliances use far more energy than others (air conditioners are a prime example). Try to use energy efficient appliances and be efficient in using them. Don't leave lights on for no reason or the TV for background noise. This will only eat into the battery charge.

An RV portable solar power system can be cheaper than a traditional generator and easier to store. It can give you more flexibility in your movement and where you want to stay. Provided you know your average energy usage you can select the right solar panels to provide all your energy needs. The disadvantage is that you can't control the weather which will affect the output of the panels however even limited amounts of direct sunlight will be sufficient for solar panels positioned correctly.