A lot of RV owners consider their vehicle to be just as much of a home as their actual house. That's why it only makes sense to consider a solar-powered RV as well as a solar home, especially when you spend a great amount of time on the road. And like all things solar, not only are there environmental benefits, but solar power is rewarding in a practical sense as well.
For instance, solar systems weigh less than a small generator that RVs are usually outfitted with, not to mention the gasoline they require. And clearly, RV owners want their machine to run faster and better, so less weight (and fumes) is always the best bet! A luxury comfort that solar systems provide is that they produce zero noise. RVs are usually intended for the purpose of getting away from it all, and relaxing, so what better way to achieve that, than to cut back on sound pollution? Solar systems require no special skills to operate, no assembly, virtually no maintenance, and of course, they're great for the environment! You can feel good knowing that your family vacation or road trip is not polluting the beautiful scenery that you bought your RV to enjoy in the first place.
Now that we know why solar power is a great alternative to traditional methods of powering recreational vehicles, how can we apply this knowledge to our RVs? Here are some basic things to consider in order to create an efficiently-running solar system for your travels.
First, establish the size of your load. Factors to consider are how many people will be traveling with you, how big your particular model of RV is, and what activities you anticipate using your RV for. For example, a rough estimate of power needed for a family camping trip is 325 watt hours. One watt-hour is the amount of energy expended by a one-watt load that draws power for one hour. This includes light bulbs, heater fans, water pumps, TVs, radios, coffee pots, amongst other miscellaneous items, and the estimated amount of time each of these items is used per day. For dry camping enthusiasts, solar power is a must. Dry camping entails extended camping trips with limited facilities. Your solar energy provider can help you determine what your RV will need.
How much sunlight will you expect to get in your location? It is important to find out how much estimated sunlight will be reaching your area when you travel, and many resources are available to help you acquire this knowledge. The Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology or CREST, can help you find out how much sunlight different locations receive, at different times of the year. So can the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Your solar panel can also be adjusted to different angles throughout the day, to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight possible.
Blog