Of all the situations solar panels could be used for, one of the most cost effective is using solar panels for RV (or recreational vehicles).
I used this Samsung solar panel before I rolled out on the road for a year. It’s the best solar panel for RV (or for camping if you like).
Solar panels for RV are often very sturdy and portable so you can take them wherever you go.
When you leave your RV unattended for awhile in the wild, you should use the portable solar panels for RV.
However, using solar power for RV is quite easy and convenient compared to the traditional source of power for RV. You never need to worry about charging your battery or mooching off the public power.
In this guide, I will introduce you to the best portable solar panels for RV and other people’s experiences using them for their recreational vehicles and how to use them.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Zamp solar Legacy Series 140-Watt Portable Solar Panel Kit | Best Overall |  |
| ACOPOWER 100W Portable Solar Panel Kit | Budget Pick |  |
| Go Power! GP-PSK-130 130W Portable Folding Solar Kit | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Zamp solar Legacy Series 140-Watt Portable Solar Panel Kit
Pros:
- Looks really solid and durable
- The built-in charge controller and LCD display shows real-time the power your panel is producing.
Cons:
- The cabling, fuse, and controller only work with 6-8s solar panels.
- The Zamp solar Legacy Series 140-Watt Portable Solar Panel Kit with Integrated Charge Controller and Carrying Case is my top pick as it is the best portable solar panel for RV owners for a very affordable price.
This lightweight and easily portable standalone panel can be used to charge RV batteries or even a car battery. With this panel, you can create your own micro-grid and be truly independent. You can power lights, small appliances, and cell phones.
Package includes:
- 1 x Zamp Solar 140Watt Portable Solar Panel with integrated charge controller and carrying case.
- 1 x 20 ft long MC4 solar cable set
- 1 x 15 foot long DC extension cable
- 1 x 12V car adapter
- 1 x 25 Amp quick-change fuse, and
- 1 x battery disconnect switch
2. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable 2Pcs 50W Solar Panel Suitcase Built-in Kickstand
Pros:
- Features the best Renogy quality, and backed with a 25-year power performance warranty
- Includes 2 Mini Fit Jr. Bifacial PV MPPT Charge Controllers for a total of 20A
- Waterproof, Foldable and Easy to Transport
Cons:
- Might overheat when charging more than one device at a time
- Not good for cloudy environments
With the lid rolled back, RVers have the option to charge 2 devices directly, or embed into the trailer’s 12 volt system and provide additional charge to other 12 volt devices. At 100 watts, we found this to be plenty powerful for the typical RV, and also more convenient than having to string together multiple panels.
This 100 watt panel is rigid, but lightweight for a panel of its size. At a little over 20 lbs. it’s extremely easy to set-up, and all you need to do is set it in direct sunlight. It works best for charging in sunlight, but is capable of charging under other lighting conditions.
The Mini Fit Jr. MPPT charge controllers are designed to handle high current, low voltage situations, and are an ideal solution for many RV applications.
3. ACOPOWER 100W Portable Solar Panel Kit
Pros:
- One of the best products for charging trailers, RVs, boats, and eco-friendly power storage systems
- This product provides a field of view of 100W and a battery voltage of 28V
- It is made with a highly durable, high-quality solar panel with a waterproof 20A charge controller
- The output of this product features DC 5.5mm, which is useful for use in homes and offices
ACOPOWER 100W Portable Solar Panel Kit is environmentally friendly, and it is also safe to use. It is safe to use in winter.
If you need an effective way to keep your electric devices charged during a power outage or camping trip, then this solar charger is the best product for you. It has everything that you need to keep your devices charged.
This ACOPOWER 100W Portable Solar Panel Kit can provide power to you in 24/7, 365 days. It is designed to ultra-high efficiency conversion of solar energy to electrical energy.
4. Go Power! GP-PSK-130 130W Portable Folding Solar Kit
Pros:
- Compact and light
- Mounting hardware is included
- Easy to set up
- Easy to transport – folds up easily and small enough to fit inside of your car
- Great price
- Folds up for easy storage
Cons:
- The 10 Amp controller is not waterproof
- Only works for 12V battery systems
- Not waterproof
- The charge controller is not included
The Go Power! GP-PSK-130 130W Portable Folding Solar Kit with 10 Amp Solar Controller is our top pick for mobile solar power on the market today. This solar panel kit is great for charging your RV batteries. This portable solar panel kit features a 10 amp PWM Battery Charge Controller, which has a color LCD display screen and is microprocessor controlled 48-volt 10-amp PWM Current Limited Charge Controller. It also comes with 15 foot cables, 8 foot MC4 solar cable, 30 amp 4-gauge extension cable with fuse and circuit breaker and is completely portable.
Choosing a portable solar panel kit is easy if you do your homework. The questions you need to ask yourself include:
- Is it light, portable and compact for easy transport?
- Is it large enough to supply power to my needs?
- Is it easy to set up?
- Does it have a waterproof rating for use outdoors?
5. Jackery SolarSaga 60W Solar Panel
Pros:
- Made from durable military grade material
- Solar panels are very efficient
- Great service from the manufacturer
- The Jackery Explorer 160 is a great storage.
The controller can be a bit tricky to figure out. It has a digital display that shows battery capacity. To get this display to read the current charge, you need to press and hold the button on the controller. Holding the button for a second or two also turns the product on and off.
The Jackery Explorer 160 portable solar generator uses the latest cutting-edge technology that allows it to work in all weather conditions?helping campers take the worry out of staying connected on their summer adventures
The Explorer 160 is very efficient and charges devices quickly. It comes with a DC charger, home AC adapter, and what Jackery calls a ?ribbon A-to-D for auto cigarette lighters. This is a flexible cord that you can stick under your dash to have power anywhere in your vehicle.
6. Renogy 100 Watt Eclipse Monocrystalline Charge 20A Voyager Waterproof Controller Solar Suitcase
Pros:
- Very strong, well-made panels
- Completely waterproof and UV-resistant
- 5V USB output for charging phones and other small devices
- Includes a USB cable for charging
- Comes with a carrying case with shoulder strap
- Accessories ring for storage
- Has anti-corrosion protection
Cons:
- Relatively heavy
- Cannot be used when showering or during the rain
Portable solar panels are great for RVing andcamping. These panels are good to charge up yourphone and laptop while you are on the road. The Renogy panels are great for camping because they are completely waterproof and sufficiently rugged. No matter how much we rained, in the sun or in the shade, these panels retained their charge extremely well. We liked the Renogy panels’ size, they fit into our car easily and we can carry them around when they are not connected to the RV. The plug that connects to the panel to charge the batter is plastic and will not corrode like with other panels.
Overall, these were a great addition to the RV and have proven to be invaluable on many occasions. They worked great for the first trip and we made a lot of contacts with nomads and relatively skilled organizers. This group has become an invaluable resource.
7. HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Off Grid Monocrystalline Portable Folding Solar Panel Suitcase Built-in Kickstand
Pros:
- Consistent power
- Easy assembly and setup
- Mobile design for portability and storage
Cons:
- Flimsy port on charge controller
- Not waterproof
HQST has produced my top pick portable solar panels for an RV and Marine Boat for 2020. These HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Off Grid Monocrystalline Portable Folding Solar Panel Suitcase are great for already off-grid systems and they are highly affordable.
The dimensions of this panel are 9.84 x 23.62 x 1.77 inches which makes it ideal for an RV. It has standard MC4 connectors which technically means you should have no need to splice any connections to make it work with your existing system.
Because of its foldable design, it can be packed into small spaces but still can provide an adequate amount of power.
8. SUNGOLDPOWER 130W Portable Foldable Solar Panel Suitcase 12V Monocrystalline Folding Solar Module
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Produces a lot of power
Carrying Bag, and LED Indicator, 130W Portable Folding Solar Panel.
The SUNGOLDPOWER130W Portable Foldable Solar Panel Suitcase 12V Monocrystalline Folding Solar Module with LCD Charge Controller, Carrying Bag, and LED Indicator, 130W Portable Folding Solar Panel. is one of the best solar panels for an RV for a number of important reasons, like its lightweight design (only 14.4lbs) and its power output.
This portable solar panel folds up and comes with a carrying bag that makes it easy to transport, and it also comes with a load controller that monitors power output at all times, making it simple to monitor.
9. ECO-WORTHY 120 Watt 12Volt Off Grid Monocrystalline Portable Foldable Solar Panel Suitcase
Pros:
- It is quite cheaper compared to the leading brand
- Has a great array of features for its price
- Effective at maintaining a charge
- Provides sufficient power even in the absence of sunlight
- You can depend on this product for years
If you are looking for a portable solar panel that performs well at home and price is a deciding factor, then the ECO-WORTHY 120 Watt 12Volt Off Grid Monocrystalline Portable Foldable Solar Panel Suitcase with Charge Controller is the best choice.
This versatile piece of equipment is designed with every component you need to maintain sustainable energy. It comes with flexible solar panels that can be attached to your RV or kept in storage. You can use it as a solar power generator and take it with you as you go camping.
The wiring and connectors are together with the unit, where as the battery is separate. You need to buy the battery separately.
10. DOKIO Foldable Solar Panel 100w(50×2) 12v Monocrystalline
Pros:
- Extremely Durable Yet Lightweight
- Get 3.2 Amps out of 2 Output Portions.
- Anodized Aluminum Frame to Extend Product Life.
3.2A USB Output
The DOKIO Foldable Solar Panel 100w(50×2) Monocrystalline Foldable Suitcase Solar Charger is an extremely afforable, lightweight, portable, lightweight solar panel. You can easily carry it to everywhere you go by putting it just like a suitcase.
When you travelling with your family, there are so many things to take care of. The DOKIO Foldable Solar Panel Kits comes with the best solar panel, charge controller, and we will show you how to use them all together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best portable RV solar panel?
The best portable solar panel for RV includes plenty of accessories. This way you can hook it up easily in the motion, and not pay too much attention on the wiring. It is also difficult to check the solar panel for flicker if you do not have experience and knowledge. That said, you will feel more confident in using it, especially when you are considering to buy the solar panels for RV.
There are no standardized requirements that RV solar panels need to meet. It is another good reason to choose a solar panel with a soft start capacitor, or one that has a battery connection. Examples of such panels include the Renogy 100 Watts Mono-crystalline Solar Panel, Renogy 30W Foldable Solar Panel, Outad 100W/12V Flexible Solar Panel, and the Renogy 12V 100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel.
How many solar panels do I need to power a camper?
Many first-time campers are deterred from choosing a solar power system for their RV because they are intimidated by the significant investment. Many are also reluctant because they don't understand how solar works.
However, we use solar power in our camper as a major source of power and can tell you that it is absolutely possible, for very little money, to be completely energy independent when using solar power.
So, where to begin?
For starters, let's get something straight – the largest power draw in an RV doesn't come from lights, appliances, or anything else inside the vehicle. It comes from the 12-volt DC power of the vehicle's battery(s).
So, getting a deep understanding of your power usage will be critical to determining how many solar panels you will need.
Are solar panels for an RV worth it?
The short answer is yes! The longer answer:
Obviously, we're all concerned about energy efficiency and saving cash. We've found that if you're living in an RV, definitely considering putting solar panels on your roof.
The idea of installing panels for your RV seems fairly simple. Go to a website, browse panels, and then buy a few. Then, you simply drive to your local hardware store, and install your panels.
It's not quite that simple, however, we've done the research for you. Below you will find the most important considerations when deciding whether or not you should buy an RV solar panel kit.
How much will a 100 watt solar panel run?
The best portable solar panel for RV depends on the charging devices that you are charging.
The panels we review have different outputs.
The panels you want to look at are the Renogy panels.
The Renogy panels have a maximum output of 100 watts, which means they are the best for RV use. They have a 22.5% efficiency rating, which is impressive for one that is this size. They also have a maximum amperage of 12 amps, which gives you extra power.
Conclusion
Solar power is being incorporated and stored in many new and innovative ways for powering recreational vehicles. The following solar panels are among the best in the market and have worked well for us. When adding solar power to your RV, it makes sense to have a proven source of information for deciding what to buy and how to save money. We hope this article helps you in deciding what type of solar panels is right for your RV.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Zamp solar Legacy Series 140-Watt Portable Solar Panel Kit | Best Overall | |
| ACOPOWER 100W Portable Solar Panel Kit | Budget Pick | |
| Go Power! GP-PSK-130 130W Portable Folding Solar Kit | Upgrade Pick | |