Solar Panels for Caravans, Motorhomes and RVs

Posted: 21st May 2012

When you think of solar panels you probably get an image in your mind of solar panels attached to the roof of a house. But in truth there are many other options available to you today, and if you are the owner of a caravan, motorhome or RV you can look forward to using solar energy in these situations too.
 

Why is it worth looking into solar power in these situations?

 
We all know how useful and practical solar power can be. But it is particularly useful to have when you are out in your caravan or motorhome, enjoying a break away from home.
 
You can now get portable solar panel kits that provide you with the ability to charge up a 12V battery by using the power of the sun. You can then use the stored energy to power all manner of appliances whenever you need to do so.
 
This is particularly useful to know when you are travelling long distances and you don’t necessarily have the option to hook up to a power supply when you stop for the night. While many places provide this service not all of them do; it depends where you are. Furthermore it is good to have the additional option of having a compact and easy to transport solar panel just in case you need it.
 

Is it a big advantage to have a portable solar panel?

 
Yes it certainly is. For starters it isn’t fixed in position so if you have good sunshine and you are parked up in your caravan or RV, you can position the panel and turn it every now and then to ensure it is receiving full sunlight all the time.
 
Furthermore if you break down on the road and you find your mobile phone has died, you can charge it up using the power stored in the battery, thanks to the use of solar power. It is certainly a good thing to have ready and waiting to use.
 

Can you have built in solar panels?

 
It is possible to do this but it is more common to see with motorhomes rather than caravans. This is because the solar panels can be quite heavy so the roof needs to be strong enough to cope with the additional weight. Motorhomes tend to have stronger roofs than caravans which is why they can have them. However they are only built into a small number of models at the moment.
 
It does seem to be possible to retrofit them to older motorhomes but the cost of doing this can be prohibitive in many cases. Many people find it much easier and cheaper to get the portable option since it is more versatile. You can also lock them securely when they are storing up energy so they will not be taken.
 
As you can see it is possible to make the most of solar power when you are the proud owner of an RV, a caravan or a motorhome.