Using solar energy as a power source for RV appliances and devices isn’t new. And using foldable solar panels to power devices or portable power stations is nothing new either. But foldable panels on an RV? Foldable solar panels are designed to provide solar charging for small devices or a solar generator. They’re great for …
Solar Panels
“How much solar do I need for my RV?” That’s a question we’ve heard over and over again from RVers who are considering moving to solar. And we’re always glad to answer because we think RV solar power is fantastic. We’ve spent lots of time running on solar power for many years, and we absolutely …
Knowing how to clean RV solar panels is more important than you may think. Not only are you protecting the surface of the panel, but dirty solar panels mean less power. We know this isn’t rocket science, but it is important! When solar panels get dirty from dust, pollen, bird droppings, and tree sap, they …
Harnessing the energy from the sun to power your RV is a fantastic feeling. We think that installing RV solar panels is one of the best upgrades you can make to any rig. But, what’s the best way to connect them? Wiring solar panels in series vs parallel is an important consideration. In this post, we’re investigating the …
We all love harnessing the power of the sun to bring electricity to our RVs. It’s clean, efficient energy, and once we’ve set up the system, the power itself doesn’t cost us a penny. But, there’s a new kid in town – a solar RV awning – and we think it’s pretty exciting, so today …
Today’s post is all about the RV solar charge controller. “The what?”, you may ask. This essential component of an RV’s solar power system is seldom the focus when people talk about solar. Solar panels and battery banks seem to get top billing. But the solar charge controller is a critical element of any RV …
One of the chief reasons why we can boondock (camp off-grid) for as long as we do is the ability of our substantial solar array to harness the awesome power of the sun to keep our electrical system running wherever we are. But we’re full-timers (and we’ve been so for very nearly two decades) and …
We recently published a post about flexible solar panels, and in that post, we noted the advantages and disadvantages flexible panels pose. But how do flexible panels stack up against rigid panels? Is one type better than the other? Can you combine the two types of solar panels on a single RV? We’ll answer all …
As those of you who’ve followed us for a while know, we’ve got an extensive solar system on our motorhome consisting of a combination of both types of solar panels: rigid and flexible. When we originally installed the flexible solar panels for our RV, we weren’t entirely sure how they’d perform from day to day, …
Solar energy is green, free to collect, and once you set it up, it can provide most (or even all) of your RV’s power needs. Follow along to learn about RV solar panels and which ones are the right choice for you and your rig. What Are RV Solar Panels? RV solar panels collect sunlight …
Adding RV solar power to your RV’s electrical system is a popular option for any motorhome or travel trailer. But just putting panels on the roof may only help you gain a fraction of the power available if you’re not using them to ‘follow the sun.’ But by tilting RV solar panels to directly face …
Want to know more about RV Solar? Join us for a special webinar this Thursday, 5/28/20 at 8PM Eastern / 5PM Pacific as we host a live Q&A with Don Wilson, the “Tech Doctor” from Xantrex. We’ll be taking your questions live on the air about RV solar systems and installation. As announced in RV Business, …
Our three original RV solar panels output a maximum of 375 watts. Switching from a standard RV refrigerator to a residential fridge meant that that wasn’t nearly enough to keep up. When we upgraded our house batteries from AGMs to our new Xantrex eGEN Lithium battery, we saw a big improvement in our ability to …
Our rig is in storage, so we’re bringing you a preview of our slick new solar panel installation and our RV trip to Italy! When you read this, we’ll already be in Venice, just one day away from picking up our RV. We’ll be spending an entire month traveling with our friends Heath & Alyssa …
Because we often boondock in wide open spaces, it allows us to face our RV in any direction we like. So why do we always face East when we have the option? Watch the video above for the answers! Here are some tips that may help you find your best direction, too. On a side …