| Putting recreational vehicle (RV) solar panels on your | | | | generator in case the worst happens...and these |
| vehicle may be one of the best decisions you can | | | | situations occur from time to time. |
| make. The most immediate benefit is you can go | | | | If the solar power system is too big to fit into your |
| along your journey without making frequent stops at | | | | RV, the best solution is to reduce your energy |
| various RV parks. This means you can travel further | | | | consumption. Here are a few practical |
| and see more in less time. You may have | | | | electricity-saving tips given by fellow RVers: |
| experienced the frustration of having to search out | | | | - Avoid cold places that needs extensive furnace use |
| places where you can charge your batteries. Having | | | | - Never fall asleep with your television on |
| solar panels on your vehicle eliminates all these | | | | - Always switch off lights and equipment when not in |
| inconveniences. | | | | use |
| More and more full time RVers are planning to install | | | | - Do not leave any lights on throughout the night |
| solar panels on their vehicles so they can reap the full | | | | You may also want to consider using a catalytic |
| benefits of using solar energy to power up their | | | | heater, as this does not require electricity. Since |
| equipment in their recreational vehicles. | | | | heaters would consume a large portion of your solar |
| Before you decide to buy a solar energy kit to hook | | | | generated electricity, this solution may help you get |
| up onto your recreational vehicle, there are a few | | | | away with a smaller, less costly solar energy system. |
| points you need to work out. The first and most | | | | You may also be wondering how much it costs to |
| important step is to determine your total energy | | | | install a complete RV solar panel system. Depending |
| needs. This affects the number of solar panels you'll | | | | on the quality of your solar panels, batteries and |
| need to buy and the batteries and size of inverter | | | | inverter, an approximate cost for each complete |
| you need to have. | | | | panel system is about (more or less) $500. |
| To size your solar energy system, you will need to | | | | You may want to get a portable solar panel to |
| calculate the average amount of energy you use in a | | | | charge your batteries and see if using solar panels |
| typical day. Only after you size your solar power | | | | can bring more convenience to your travel. Very |
| system can you know if you have enough space | | | | soon, you may be hooked to it. Then you'll |
| inside your recreational vehicle for all the batteries | | | | experience for yourself the benefits you can only |
| and inverter. | | | | experience with a set of RV solar panels installed on |
| You'll also need to consider having a backup | | | | your recreational vehicle. |