Portable RV solar panels were designed to give homeowners and adventure seekers an easy way to use clean energy. Whether you’re going on a vacation, or simply boondocking, portable solar panels are an awesome way to keep your gadgets powered on go!
But finding the best portable RV solar panels can be a challenge if you don’t know how to get started.
Luckily for you, I’ve done the research so that you don’t have to.
Discover the best 9 portable RV solar panels that can fuel your travel adventure, along with a helpful buying guide and tips to help you make an informed decision.
Let’s dive in!
Best Portable RV Solar Panels
Here are the top RV solar panels to fuel your RVing needs:
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro – best overall
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro-Kit is the best overall portable RV solar panel. It can charge batteries three times faster than standard solar generators. The kit comes with 4 pieces of 200W solar panels, a pure sine wave inverter, and can fully charge your batteries within 1.8 hours.
Its lighter body and over 1000 charge cycles let you enjoy any outdoor activities to the fullest. The kit can power a wide range of gadgets and electronics, including a car fridge, TV, blender, coffee maker, phones, and laptops.
There’s an in-built battery system to protect and monitor the battery life. Additionally, this portable solar kit features multiple ports, including a DC car port, 2* USB A, and 3* 1000W AC output ports. The LED light will keep your immediate surroundings illuminated.
Pros
- Simple and speedy setup in one minute
- It supports 100W delivery for fast charging.
- It supports up to 8 devices at a time.
Cons
- The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro weighs more than some other solar panels.
Bluetti – most efficient
The Bluetti portable RV Kit is the perfect power solution whenever there’s an unexpected blackout at a campsite. The panel kit with battery and inverter has an advanced Battery Management System that protects your gadgets from overcharging, overcurrent, and any potential risk. It has 17 outputs to enable you to plug in multiple devices and a 700W solar input.
The package comes with a 2000W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter and 3*SP200 solar panels that can power your coffee maker, electric grill, air conditioners (5000 BTU), camera, car fridge, and CPAP. It comes with a 2,000Wh battery that you can recharge in 7 ways: solar/AC/Dual AC/AC+Solar/Car/Generator/Lead battery. The battery offers up to 3,500 life cycles and can serve you for up to 10 years with proper maintenance.
Pros
- Charges multiple devices simultaneously without sacrificing power.
- The Battery Management System will protect your gadgets from overcharging and overcurrent.
- It is the most efficient solar panel kit on this list.
Cons
- No locking mechanism on the legs
Renogy 300W 12V Monocrystalline Solar RV Kit – best value for money
The Renogy 300W 12 Monocrystalline Solar RV Kit is ideal for recharging boat or RV batteries and fueling your van life. The solar panels are engineered to withstand harsh environmental conditions and elements. They also offer the best value for money.
The panels are sturdy, versatile, and available at a moderate price. It is very efficient even on cloudy days or in low-light areas.
These Renology portable solar panels deliver an average of 500Wh of electricity in a day. The panels are 8% lighter than most of the kits on the market. The package comes with a rugged protective case with latches and heavy-duty handles, as well as a corrosion-resistant aluminum stand.
The 20 pre-drilled holes on the panels make it easy to mount them on your RV roof.
Pros
- This portable solar panel system is great for camping, hiking, and RVs
- It has battery clips for easy battery connection.
- The foldable case design makes it easy to transport it from one place to the other.
Cons
- Not the greatest foldable support.
Go sun – best budget
Go Sun can redefine your vacationing and fuel your RV fan for all-day enjoyment. The kit is packed with energy but without the size, emissions, weight, and noise of typical power generators. You can power up to 9 devices simultaneously, so long as the devices are not more than 1,200 Watts.
The body is made of aluminum with a passive heat sink to drain the heat generated by the panels. There’s also a cooling fan to blow off any remaining heat through the vents.
Go Sun solar panel kit has a number of ports, including AC output, DC outputs, USB outputs, and main display. The main display shows the battery level and the power input/ output levels.
The kit is protected from over-voltage, over-discharge, overcurrent, and overheating. The solar panels are designed to withstand snow, rainfall, and other harsh environmental conditions.
Pros
- This kit has a powerful LED flashlight that can illuminate your environment at night
- Very durable waterproof panels.
- Can power your gadgets all day.
Cons
- No USB charging ports.
Wondering how to take camping to events, traveling, and job sites, and still have enough electricity for emergency backup? Then the HQST 100W 12V Polycrystalline Solar Panel has got you covered.
The HQST 100W 12V Polycrystalline Solar Panel is engineered to power essential gadgets and devices like laptops, power tools, cameras, and CPAP machines.
The kit recharges itself through the sun, which means power outages won’t be a challenge when you are far away from home.
This portable solar generator is made of high-quality material with multi-layered sheet laminations for long service life. It comes with a 100W monocrystalline solar panel to deliver excellent performance on cloudy days and low-light environments.
The panels can withstand snow loads and high wind. Installing this kit on your RV roof is very easy. With MC4 connectors and junction boxes, it won’t take you up to 5 minutes to complete the installation process.
Pros
- The kit comes with dual USB ports for multiple devices.
- The folding design makes it easy to move the kit from one point to the other.
- Easy installation
Cons
- Limited positioning options.
The Eco-Worthy 100W 12V Solar Panel Kit is one of the best solar panel kits that can power your gadgets and devices when you are far away from home. The kit comes with an array of 100W solar panels with mounting accessories, a charge controller, and connecting leads.
The solar panels are made of a corrosion-resistant aluminum frame, which gives it the toughness to withstand wind and rainfall. You can mount the panels on top of the roof of your RV for camping to generate the required energy to charge the in-built battery.
This solar generator is perfect for golf carts, campers, marine, caravans, RV, or trolling motors. It can also serve as an emergency power solution at home.
The plug-and-play cables and pre-drilled holes on the back of the panels make the installation process seamless. The kit has overload protection to protect all connected gadgets.
Pros
- The kit has an active charge controller to avoid overcharging.
- The padded case helps to safely transport it to any location.
- It comes with a long warranty.
Cons
- Some users mentioned that these solar panels are very heavy.
BLUETTI is a company that is reputable for producing high-quality solar products, and the SP120 120W Solar Panel is one product in the company’s production line.
The 120W solar panel comes with active cells that will fully charge the in-built battery within 2 hours. The panels are durable with an efficiency rated of 88%, meaning they can withstand snow and wind load.
The foldable design makes the kit an excellent space-saving solar product of all time. It can power your cameras, TV, phones, power bank, and laptops.
The SP120 120W Solar Panel has up to 4 kickstands, which gives it a solid mounting on an RV to receive maximum sunlight during the daytime. The package comes with connecting cables and MC4 connectors for easy installation.
So, if you are looking for a portable RV solar panel when camping, the SP120 120W Solar Panel will not disappoint you.
Pros
- The package doesn’t take up a lot of space.
- Easy Installation
- The suitcase makes it easy to make the panels from one place to the other.
- The panels can withstand snow, wind, and rainfall
Cons
- Some users reported that the MC4 connectors are difficult to remove.
The Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel is another powerful RV solar panel for those planning to go on vacation. The panel converts solar energy to clean and renewable power with a conversion efficiency of 23.7%.
You can use the converted energy to power your gadgets and devices. Its foldable, lightweight, and IP68 design makes it very easy to move the panels around when you are engaged in off-grid adventures.
The solar panel is equipped with two kickstands, making it easy to mount on any surface, including on top of your RV fan.
If you don’t want unexpected power outages to ruin your fun, then add the Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel to your shopping list.
Pros:
- The lightweight design makes it easy to handle.
- It can fully charge a battery within 1.5H.
- You can connect up to 9 gadgets simultaneously.
Cons:
- Some users reported longevity issues.
EcoFlow 160W Portable Solar Panel is a perfect off-grid energy generator that you can rely on to fuel your adventures. One major problem that the best portable solar panels for RV battery charging usually face is falling off a mounting surface when the wind blows: not the EcoFlow 160W Portable Solar Panel!
This foldable, durable, and IP65 waterproof solar panel can withstand snow, intense temperature, and heavy rainfall.
When connected to a pure sine wave inverter, the 160W portable solar panel can generate an AC current to charge your phones, laptops, and cameras. It has both heat and overcharging protection so that overcurrent doesn’t damage any connected device.
Pros
- The solar panels are made of sturdy frames
- Durable with IP68 waterproof rating
- Portable & self-supporting
- One-piece folding design
- A high conversion efficiency of 22%.
Cons
- The package is heavier than other models
How to Choose Portable or RV Solar Panels
If you are looking to buy the best RV solar panel to power your gadgets, there are some factors to look out for to make an informed decision. These factors include:
Size and efficiency
As you hit the market to buy portable or RV solar panels, by no chance should you ignore the size and efficiency of the system you intend to buy.
Generally, efficiency and size go hand-in-hand, so make sure you purchase RV solar panels that are easy to mount.
If you are looking to get the most from your investment, you also need to look for an efficiency rating of above 18%.
Reliability and durability
Another important consideration to look out for is the durability and reliability of the solar panel that you intend to buy. Whether you intend to buy the solar panels to charge a battery or to permanently mount them on your roof, look for panels that are rated to snow load and wind load.
Make sure you get an RV solar panel that is at least 2400 Pa in terms of wind load ratings. But, if you are going to use the panels during winter, then the wind load rating shouldn’t be less than 5400 Pa.
The solar panel connection should also be rated at least IP65 so that water doesn’t get into the cable connections, which can cause a bigger problem.
Price
Pricing is a major deciding factor when it comes to getting the best portable RV solar panels. You want an array of solar panels on top of your RV roof to supply enough electricity to power your gadgets, but it’s an expensive venture.
So, it’s important you consider the price of the solar panel you have in mind, side by side, with your budget. If you have a deep pocket and can afford premium panels, then go for them.
Otherwise, stick to the ones that fall within your budget. The bottom line? Most of the solar panels reviewed here are great and will serve the purpose.
How do you use portable solar panels?
There are different ways to use portable solar panels depending on your needs.
Off-Grid Electricity
Off-grid electricity is a common way of using portable solar panels. While portable solar panels are not as powerful as those installed on roofs, they can serve your electricity needs when you are far from home.
To set up the off-grid system, you will need to purchase a battery bank, a charge controller, a power inverter, and the solar panel itself.
Continuous Appliance Power
You can use portal solar panels to power your devices (for example refrigerator) to run 24/7. A solar system that can power a refrigerator all-day long requires that you have sufficient battery storage and a reliable inverter system.
Temporary Device Power
Unlike the above, you can use portable solar panels to temporarily run your gadgets. For instance, you can connect your coffee maker, TV, Wi-fi routers, and lightning points to the portable solar system instead of relying on the power source at the campground.
Intermittent Device Charging
Lastly, you can use portable solar panels to intermittently charge your devices. If you are far away from home, for example, in a campground, your phones, laptops, and other smaller devices need to be intermittently charged so they don’t run out of power.
This is exactly where portable solar panels come in. Before heading out to the campground, make sure your storage battery is fully charged.
FAQ On Portable RV Solar Panels
How long do solar panels last?
With proper care and maintenance, solar panels should last up to 30 years. However, you may begin to notice inefficiency and degradation from 20 years and above.
How many panels do I need?
The number of panels required to power or run an RV depends on the individual user. To determine the appropriate number of panels required to run your RV, you will need to, first of all, decide the devices or gadgets you wish to power with solar energy. Then find out the amount of energy these devices use and how long you can operate them in a day. Once you have this information, you can do the mathematics to know the number of panels that you need.
What is the highest-watt solar panel for an RV?
The highest-watt solar panel for an RV is around 100W to 400W. If your RV has more devices or gadgets that require electricity to operate, you may want to increase the solar panel rating; otherwise, you won’t be able to operate your gadgets.
How much power does a 450-watt solar panel produce in a day?
A 450-watt solar panel can produce between 1800-2250 Watt-hours (Wh) per day depending on the availability of sunlight. The more the solar panel rating, the more energy the panel will generate.
Is a 120W solar panel enough for a motorhome?
Yes, a 120W solar panel is enough to power a motorhome or even a larger caravan. But make sure you use a reliable battery to store the generated energy; otherwise, the solar system will not be able to support the motorhome.
What will a 100-watt solar panel run in an RV?
A 100-watt solar panel may seem very small to the average person, yet it can power LED light bulbs, phone and laptop charges, and even DVD players in your RV.
How many solar panels do I need to run everything in my RV?
You don’t need too many solar panels to run everything in your RV. As a matter of fact, a 300-watt solar panel is enough to charge a 100 Amp Hours of battery that’s required to run everything in your RV.
What can an 800-watt solar panel power?
An 800-watt solar panel can power a wide range of devices, including but not limited to a TV, coffee maker, laptop, different lightning points, as well as audio systems. In fact, an 800-watt solar panel can efficiently operate a medium-sized refrigerator.
Is 200-watt solar enough for an RV?
Of course, a 200-watt solar panel can power a small RV, only that you won’t get much wiggle room. So, if you care so much about wiggle room, you may want to upgrade your solar panel to something bigger than 200 watts.
Let’s recap: best portable solar panels for RV
Whether you just want to store energy in your battery bank, or you are in search of the right solar panels to fuel your fun when you are vacationing, portable solar panels are here to solve your problems.
Despite the fact that there are lots of portable solar panels for RV, choosing the best one within your budget can be challenging since not all portal solar panels offer all the features that you need when camping. However, purchasing any of the 9 portable solar panels that we reviewed above will set you on the right path.
If you want our expert opinion, we recommend the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro. This model is the best overall. Setting up this model takes less than one minute; plus, it lasts longer than other variants and produces endless clean energy whenever you travel. It is compact, portable, and comes with a long warranty. The foldable handle even makes it easier to stow it in your car trunk.
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