Choosing the right portable solar panels or RV solar panels depends on how often you use them and what kind of power they need.
Size and efficiency
Efficiency is key when portability is a factor. Whether you install your panels on the roof of your van or remove them when you move from one place to another, the available space is often limited. Portable panels are not as powerful as home models, so each performance variable can have a different effect.
If your solar system only needs charging to store small amounts of electricity when needed, all you need is a small 100 watt panel. You may need a few high-wattage panels to run a small refrigerator while your RV is in motion. Regardless of your needs, look for an efficiency ratio of over 18% to get the most out of your investment.
Mobility often goes hand in hand with size. You need solar panels that are easy to install or set up in a temporary arrangement. When deciding how much solar power you need, consider the space available for installation or rooftop storage. Look for panels rated for wind, snow or ice loads.
reliability and durability
Another important thing is durability. If you plan to install it permanently on the roof of your RV, make sure your portable solar panels are rated for high winds. Look for a wind load of at least 2400 Pa. If you use them in winter, make sure they are rated at 5400 Pa or higher for snow load.
For portable panels that you will place on the road, choose panels that are easy to store and safe.
But being strong is not enough. There are few things more frustrating than setting up camp on your own and finding out your solar panels aren't working. Problems can occur when water gets into cable connections. Make sure your solar panel connections are above IP65, which means they won't let water through most of the time the panels survive. The higher the IP rating, the stronger the connection.
Price:
Determining your budget for portable solar panels is more than you might expect. Installing a grid on the roof of a mobile home is enough to meet all your electrical needs, and there simply may not be enough space. Perhaps you should choose items that use solar energy.
Once these decisions are made, compare the savings of installing solar panels to the cost of running the same equipment in a camper. If you spend a lot of time away from your RV attached campsites, you may want to install a maximum solar panel for your setup.
