RV Solar Solutions

RV SOLAR PANELS APPLICATIONS

Do you want to maintain abundant independent power on your RV, even for several days?
Then our rugged and state-of-the-art RV solar panels are the perfect choice for you.
RV
VAN

TRAILER

Your Reliable Camping Companion

RV solar panels are designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, including:
      * Wind resistance
      * Heat dissipation
      * Extreme temperatures

At Sungold, we understand the diverse needs of RV enthusiasts. Choose from our wide range of high-quality RV solar panels to find the perfect fit for your power requirements. Whether you’re a weekend adventurer or a full-time traveler, we have you covered!
rv solar panel camping companion
rv solar panels
Sungold Solar Panels Design
The solar solution designed by Sungold is perfect for RVs. The flexible solar panels for RVs are more flexible, they fit the shape of your car roof and can be glued to the roof without worrying about breaking.
Rigid solar panel is more mature and stable, which can make you use more assured. Solar panel can not only bring power to your RV life, but also make your RV life more environmentally friendly. Solar modules are an essential product for RV enthusiasts.
How Solar Panel Works ?
Sunlight hits the solar panel, and the cells absorb energy from the sun. In the cells of a solar panel, a circuit converts the energy absorbed by the solar cells into an electric current. The current is then sent to the controller.
This energy is turned into direct current, which is then stored in the battery. It is also possible to convert direct current into alternating current through an inverter to power more electrical equipment.
solar panel kit for rv

Portable Solar Panels for RV - Powering Camping Life

Best Solar Panels for RV - How They Work and Other Applications

Sungold provides solar cells specifically designed for RV applications, with special encapsulation materials for heat dissipation, securely connected to the RV roof using 3M adhesive or custom RV brackets. They are made with high-polymer composite materials on the back, providing impact resistance, and coated with ETFE anti-corrosion material on the surface, resulting in higher light transmittance and resistance to salt fog. Moreover, RV solar panels are exceptionally lightweight.
RV solar panels are not only suitable for unrestricted outdoor use but also perfect for installation on boats or other vehicles to power your camping adventures. Hence, these solar panels are the ideal companions for any outdoor activity!
rv solar panel system work

How to Mounting Solar Panels on RV ?

There are usually a few options for installing solar panels on a motorhome
Power Rating

Fixed Mounting

Fixed mounting systems are specifically designed for rigid solar panels and require drilling holes in the roof of the caravan, installing brackets and then fixing the panel to the brackets and ensuring that the top is flat

Flexible-Solar-Panels-for-Car-Roof

Flexible Mounting

Flexible solar panels can be adapted to the shape of the caravan so that they fit snugly and do not protrude from the caravan roof. Simply use tape or special adhesive to fix the back of the flexible solar panel.

Flexible-Solar-Panels-for-Car

Tilt Mounting

You can use the tilt mechanism to mount the solar panel without having to fix it in a flat position, so that by adjusting the tilt angle of the panel, the solar panel can work with maximum efficiency and absorb light energy, thus generating greater power output.

Step 1

Planning The Layout of Solar Panels on RV Roof

Place the solar panels on the RV roof and mark them with colored tape. If connecting multiple solar panels, you will also need to leave enough space between them (about 20mm).

While planning the layout of the RV roof, check that the roof is not damaged or leaking, if it is, it is best to repair the roof before continuing with the installation of the panels.

Step 1

Step 2

Remove Satellite and TV Antenna From RV

We recommend removing any obstructions from your RV roof , having them on the roof will prevent the solar panels from getting optimal sunlight exposure. The ideal layout is to have only panels and vents on RV roof to maximize sunlight.

Step 2

Step 3

Installation of Solar Panels

The mounting process differs depending on the type of panels you have. You must install rigid panels with screws by drilling holes into your roof. They can either be affixed flat or tilt-mounted on the roof.

However, you don’t have to drill holes in your RV roof to install solar panels. Flexible designs can be mounted with adhesive attached directly to the roof surface.

Step 3

Step 4

Connect Multiple Solar Panels

If you intend to connect multiple solar panels, you have two connection options: solar panels in series or parallel:

  • In series: Attach the positive terminal on the first panel to the negative terminal on the second. This type of connection increases the voltage.
  • Parallel: Connect the panel’s positive cables with the positive cables of the other panel. Do the same with the negative cables. A parallel connection is preferable if you want to increase your current value. 
Step 4

Step 5

Connecting A Portable Power Station

Once the solar panels are installed, you can connect them to a portable power station via an adapter. The power station should start charging once you connect the solar panels.

Step 5

Step 6

Wiring of DC Appliances

You will need to use a separate wire to connect the DC to the fuse box. You can install the cables along the ceiling and trim them to tuck everything away neatly.

When you connect shore power at your campground, the current flows directly into the fuse panel, which looks like a circuit breaker in a regular house. A circuit breaker on the AC side supplies 120V to the 12V DC panel through a converter.

Step 6

Step 7

Connecting Wires to The Fuse Panel

Once the DC devices throughout the RV are wired, we’ll connect them to the fuse panel. Strip the wires with wire strippers to remove the protective coating. Then use a crimping tool to crimp the terminal heads to the wires.

Connect the terminal heads to the fuse panel, which should be labeled with negative and positive connections, and add a fuse to the positive portion. The fuse protects against power surges.

Step 7

Step 8

Connecting the Fuse Panel to The Power Station

The easiest way to connect the fuse box to the power station is to use a cord with a car adapter plug on one end and a positive and negative fuse box connection on the other.

Start by connecting the cord to the fuse box. Then plug the other end into the power station and turn it on.

Step 8
RV Solar Panels Solution Scheme
Are you looking for a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly way to generate power for your boat or RV? Sungold’s RV solar panels are an excellent choice. With the right size and type of panels, you can easily power yourself while on the move!
In order to choose RV solar panel, you need to know how much energy your appliances are using on a daily basis. When deciding on the size of solar panels you need, consider your average daily electricity consumption. You can refer to the table below to calculate.
If you choose a 100W solar panel with 4h of sunlight a day, it can produce 400Wh a day.Then you divide the power consumption by 400Wh to get the number of panels needed. In fact, the power generation will be lower due to factors such as weather, angle, etc. So you have to buy more rv solar panels.
Device Rated Power Usage Time KWh Per Day
Toaster 600W 10min 100Wh
Coffee Maker 500W 10min 85Wh
Refrigerator 80W 24h 1920Wh
Television 70W 2h 140Wh
Mobile Phone*2 15W 3h 90Wh
Fan 60W 2h 120Wh
Light Bulbs*4 10W 5h 200Wh
RV Solar Panels FAQs

RV Solar Panels FAQs

Q:Which solar panels have good heat dissipation?

RV solar panels are designed to withstand the conditions of RV applications. Therefore, they not only have good heat dissipation but also resistance to salt fog, suitability for walking, and anti-slip features.

Q:Who should invest in solar for RV?

Not every RV enthusiast will have the same solar setup. If you only travel in your RV on weekends or for short periods, a full-fledged solar system may not make financial sense.

We recommend using a smaller system, such as one of Sungold’s smaller RV kits, like the 100W 12V panel kit. However, if you frequently park or camp in areas without utility hookups for extended periods and require power, a complete RV solar system (including RV solar panels, batteries, inverters, charge controllers, and wiring) can be a worthwhile investment. The significant investment will pay off over time.

Sungold offers RV solar kits ranging from 100 to 400 watts, equipped with essential components such as MPPT charge controllers and cable entry housing units.

Q:How is RV solar different from home solar?

It is equally important to clarify the key differences between adding solar to a home and installing a solar system for an RV. Residential solar systems are typically designed to meet all of your household energy needs, while RV solar systems are meant to maintain a stable charge in the batteries and provide enough power to charge some appliances within the RV.

Q:How long will a 100 watt solar panel take to charge a RV battery?

Depending on the charging capacity, a single 100W solar panel can take approximately 4-20 hours to charge a 12V battery. If you want to charge the battery quickly, you can increase the number of solar panels used for charging.

Q:How many solar panels do I need to run an RV?

If your daily consumption energy is 5,000 watts, you’ll need at least two 400W solar panels to power your RV’s appliances and devices. Keep in mind that it’s unlikely you’ll receive 7 hours of peak sunlight each day. Solar panels can still gather energy on overcast or rainy days, but their output will be diminished.

Q:Do you need an inverter for RV solar panels?

Like with your home, the appliances inside an RV run on AC while the engine and battery of the RV use DC electricity. Solar panels run on a DC, meaning that just like a residential solar setup, your RV solar panel system needs an inverter to convert that energy to AC electricity.

Q:How to mount solar panels on rv roof?

The installation process varies depending on the type of panel. In the case of rigid solar panels, holes must be drilled in the roof and then the rigid panels are installed with screws. They can be mounted flat or tilted on the roof.
However, with flexible solar panels, there is no need to drill holes in the RV roof to install the panels. The flexible design can be attached directly to the roof surface with adhesive.

What will warm you on your travels, besides the sun, is your solar panels
If you have any questions about our high-quality marine solar panels, our expert team is always ready to provide you with extensive experience and professional knowledge.
Scroll to Top