Escapees January-February 2024

combined with a portable panel might be all you need. (*Note: We will discuss these components in an upcoming article in this series.) Which is the best solar panel for an RV? There is a lot of information out there about RV solar panels, enough to make your head spin. Several companies make solar panels suitable for RVs such as Renogy, Go Power, Zamp and more. Renogy’s panels are highly ranked among the best overall with regards to quality, price, ef fi ciency, warranty etc. We’ve had great luck with their product line. Let’s break down the panel selection to the three most common types of RV solar panels. Below you will fi ndaquick user-friendly explanation as well as charts to compare and contrast styles, wattages, weight and dimensions.

Another style of rigid panel that has recently become popular are bifacial (2-sided) panels which can collect energy from the sun using both sides of the panel— and include some of the latest technology to augment their power output, with some up to 30% more ef fi cient! Bifacial panels are available in a variety of wattages and are most effective if used against a white or light colored surface to maximize light re fl ection from the back side of the panel. They work very well as tilted panels on the roof as well as side awnings for an RV. Flexible Panels These lightweight, low-pro fi le panels are ideal for smaller rigs, curved roof lines such as Airstreams or teardrop-style trailers, and those who are seeking to minimize the look of solar panels on their roof. Flexible panels are available in various sizes and wattages and can be combined with a portable panel, if desired. The best fl exible panels on the market can bend up to 248 degrees without cracking, are scratch resistant, have at least a22%ef fi ciency rating (really good for today’s commercially available panels), and have a performance warranty of at least 25 years. We’ve had these panels on the roof of our vintage rig for a few years now. Portable Panels Lightweight portable panels and foldable solar suitcases can be used by themselves or in conjunction with any rooftop or awning panel system described above. They are perfect for when you park in the shade, but need your panel out in the sunshine (using an extension cord). Portable panels are also the perfect way to quickly add some additional surface area to your overall system during low solar days. Portable panel sizes ranging from 80W to 220W are ideal for RVs. The best portable solar panel for an RV is the one that fi ts your power needs, storage, space available, your camping style and, practically speaking, the amount of weight you can easily lift. But, don’t skimp on quality. These panels should be very sturdy, ef fi cient, and fold up into their own durable cover. They can simply be clipped to a battery bank on the tongue of your RV with alligator clips, plugged into a “solar ready” port, or can be integrated into a rooftop

Renogy Solar Panel Types

Wattage Options

RIGID

Monofacial

100, 175, 200, 320

Compact

100

Bifacial

115,220

FLEXIBLE

Standard

100, 175, 200

Black Division

100

PORTABLE E.FLEX

80, 120, 220

Solar Suitcase

100,200

Which Voltage Is Best for Your Situation? If you are brand new to solar or simply need a refresher, scan the QR code to visit www.renology.com and read our article to learn

Overall Panel Type + Wattage Chart Rigid Panels: When you think of a typical solar panel, a rigid, monofacial (one-sided) style of panel is probably what comes to mind. These are the panels you see on roof tops and solar farms all over the world. The wattages of these panels vary greatly from small battery maintainers (<50W) to huge industrial panels (>500W) for commercial production. RVers typically install rigid panels ranging between 100W and 320W depending on the size and shape of their RV roof. Rigid panels are heavy-duty and serve as the best RV solar panels for mid- to large-sized rigs, including motorhomes, 5th wheels, travel trailers, skoolies and large vans.

more about various voltage and wiring con fi gurations.

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ESCAPEES Magazine January/February 2024