| Buying recreational vehicle (RV) solar panels to | | | | RV, the best solution is to reduce your energy |
| provide energy for your vehicle can be the best | | | | consumption. Some practical electricity-saving advice |
| decision you make for your travel needs. The most | | | | given by fellow RVers are as follows: |
| alluring benefit is it allows you to drive further without | | | | - Park at warmer locations that do not require |
| the need to stop frequently at RV parks to charge | | | | extensive furnace use |
| your batteries. This may not seem inconvenient to | | | | - Always switch off the TV when not in use |
| you now. Yet when looking for an RV park hinders | | | | - Make it a point to switch off lights and equipment |
| your travel, it can get pretty frustrating. | | | | when not in use |
| Many more full time RVers are planning to install | | | | - Never leave any lights on throughout the night (if |
| photovoltaic panels on their vehicles so they can reap | | | | you can) |
| the full benefits of using solar energy to power up | | | | You may also want to consider using a catalytic |
| their equipment in their recreational vehicles. | | | | heater, as this does not require electricity. Since |
| There are, however, a few points you need to work | | | | heaters would otherwise consume a large part of |
| out before you decide to buy a solar energy kit to | | | | your solar generated electricity, this may help you |
| hook up to your vehicle. The first and most | | | | get away with a smaller solar energy system. |
| important step is to determine your total energy | | | | You may also be wondering how much it costs to |
| needs. This affects the number of solar panels you | | | | install a complete RV solar panel system. Depending |
| will need to buy and the batteries and size of | | | | on the quality of your photovoltaic panels, batteries |
| inverter you need to have. | | | | and inverter, an approximate cost for each complete |
| In order to size your solar energy system, you will | | | | panel system is about (more or less) $500. |
| have to make calculations with considerations to the | | | | If you are those that give serious thought to every |
| energy you use in a typical day. After sizing your | | | | decision you make you life, you can start by |
| required solar power system, you can then know if | | | | experimenting a little with solar panels. Buy a portable |
| you have enough space inside your RV for the | | | | solar panel to charge your batteries and see if using |
| batteries and inverter. | | | | solar panels suit your way of life. Very soon, you |
| It is also prudent to carry along a backup generator | | | | may be hooked to it. Then you will experience for |
| in case the worst happens...and these situations do | | | | yourself the benefits you can only experience with a |
| occur from time to time. Many RVers consider this a | | | | set of RV solar panels installed on your recreational |
| must. | | | | vehicle. |
| If the solar power system is too big to fit into your | | | | |