Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: Best Solar Panels for RVs in 2023

Published Date: September 9, 2022

Last Updated on May 22, 2023 by Camper Front

If you are planning to go on a road trip or just travel in your RV, you might have thought about how you would power up your vehicle. RV parks can cost you a lot of money to plug in and enjoy power for a few days, not to mention even finding a spot. On the other hand, while convenient, generators make a lot of noise which might be unpleasant and they require gas. An option you may or may not have thought of is getting a solar panel.

Solar panels for RVs are readily available these days, not to mention relatively cheaper than in previous years. When deciding to go solar, there are various options at your disposal. These include low and high-wattage units, portable panels, self-installation kits for newbies, and rigid crystalline panels.  

Best Solar Panels for RVs Reviews

For an excellent power source to power your RV, the Renogy 200 Watt starter kit is perfect and reliable for serving all your needs. It can power most electronics, including mobile devices, fans, lights, and even small refrigerators. When you purchase this kit, it features a 20-amp charge controller. In addition, the controller has advanced four-stage charging, including boost, bulk, equalization, and float. All these features ensure that the battery is charged to maximum efficiency.  

Review

These solar panels for RVs from Renogy have an input and output voltage of 12 volts and 100 watts of wattage. The primary material used to make it is aluminum. This 100 W solar panel can produce up to 1000Wh of electricity daily. In addition, bypass diodes ensure the panel performs exceptionally well in a low-light environment and that the TPT back sheet will dissipate excess heat to allow for smooth output performance. 

The solid quality of the encapsulated material has different layered sheets that protect the cell from distortion and physical damage. In the long term, this improves performance and provides long service life. One of the things that makes this solar panel stand out is the intelligent function; the charge controller is compatible with different kinds of batteries including lithium, sealed, flooded, and gel batteries.

There are also built-in fail-safes to protect your system. These include short circuit protection, overload protection, battery overcharging, and reverse polarity protection. You do not need to be concerned about weather challenges as it comes with an IP65 Junction Box. It protects against low-pressure water jets and environmental particles.

The solar panel has all the components required to set up a complete system. Every package includes Z-brackets, pre-drilled holes at the frame’s rear to allow for secure mounting and cables. You can also monitor your system status with the DC Home app by connecting the BT-1 Bluetooth module to the communication port. The BT1 Bluetooth module, however, is not included.

Newpowa would be it if you were looking for a classic solar panel with a classic design. It is also affordable, efficient, and durable. Since 2014, Newpowa has been dabbling in off-grid systems and solar panels for RVs. Their products are known for their durability. The Newpowa 100 Watt can withstand winds of up to 140 mph; it is waterproof and can also withstand hail and snow. In terms of durability, they constitute anodized aluminum.    

Review

The Newpowa solar panel constitutes monocrystalline silicone, and its dimensions lie at 44.49 x 20.08 x 1.18 inches. In terms of weight, it comes in at 16.31 pounds. Many customers enjoy using this solar panel because of the reliable and efficient 158mm solar cell technology.

In terms of power capabilities, solar power is at 100W and has a voltage of 16.77V. For high efficiency, it uses mono cells, which are high-performance and encapsulated in ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA). To facilitate easy and quick installation, the solar panel is pre-drilled. The diodes are already installed in the junction box to aid in minimizing power drops caused by shading. It is important to note that efficiency is not always consistent. There is also already a pre-attached MC4 cable that is 3 feet long.

All these features make installation hassle-free. Some familiar places where these solar panels for RVs can be used other than the RV include remote farms, residential rooftops, traffic signs, and disaster relief. In addition, it supports various mounting options such as a wall, pole, and flat surface installation for added versatility.

As a guarantee to the customer, the Newpowa solar panels for RVs have a two-year limited material and quality warranty. In addition, there is also a 10-year 90% output and a 25-year 80% output warranty.

Top solar 100W 12V Solar Panel

For solar panels for RVs used to power just about anything, this solar panel from Topsolar is the way to go. It is ideal for off-grid 12-volt battery charging systems and different DC applications. You can use it for boats, cabins, battery-powered gates, and RVs. It is also great for remote power use and as backup power. The highlight of this solar panel is that it can generate power to charge batteries, thereby preventing current loss when the battery is on standby or in storage.    

Review

The Topsolar 100W solar panel weighs around 15.84 pounds and has dimensions of 46.5 x 21.8 x 1.37 inches. It constitutes high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells that have heavy-duty anodized aluminum frames. In addition, to help keep the solar panel protected and weatherproof, it features a corrosion-proof aluminum frame with a tempered glass-coated shield.

You also get better sunlight reception, as this solar panel has brackets that allow for an adjustable mounting angle. The Topsolar panel can be mounted on wood, on the wall, or even on the ground. You will have access to various protections if you have an intelligent charge controller; these protections help to prevent short-circuiting, over-voltage, over-discharge or overcharging. 

This kit comes with a 100-watt, 12 Volt solar panel, a 12V/24V intelligent charge controller, and a rack bracket (V shape mount tilt). For battery charge connection, you also get two 5-foot cables with terminal O and two 16 feet cables with a terminal of MC4. Fixing and installing is relatively easy. The stand has spacers; however, to give you easy access to the bolt head, they are too long and you don’t get enough thread to get the thumb screw in.  

WEIZE 200 Watt 12V Solar Panel

The WEIZE 200 Watt solar panels for RVs are the one to get when it comes to high efficiency, durability, and versatility. It is also of excellent quality and reliable in terms of power output. The solar panel is installation ready and comes with all the equipment needed to have it up and running. WEIZE, the brand manufacturer, is confident with its products; this solar panel comes with a warranty. You also get after-sales customer services should you have troubles, questions, or issues with your product.  

Review

The WEIZE 200 Watt is an industrial-standard solar panel with dimensions of 39.96 x 20.27 x 1.18 inches. The maximum power voltage is 18.46V, the maximum power current is 5.41A, and the whole system voltage is 1000V DC. Generating around 5.3 amps of power and charging a 12-volt battery, this solar panel is perfect for RVs, remote locations, cabins, and any other place that requires small power generation.

Offering high efficiency of up to 21%, the solar panel comes constructed with high-performance monocrystalline solar cells. The feature that most people love about this solar panel is its maintenance-free and long-service qualities. Regarding durability, there are anodized aluminum frames and tempered glass with sealed junctions; all of this makes it corrosion-resistance and weatherproof, making it ideal for harsh outdoor conditions. 

The accessories with these solar panels for RVs include a pair of 8-foot battery tray cables, a set of mount brackets and screws, and a pair of 20-foot extension cables. The battery and inverter are not included. In addition, the WEIZE solar panel features a 30A PWM charge controller, which offers intelligent protection against overcharging, short-circuiting, reverse current, and reverse polarity. Overall, getting this WEIZE solar panel is worth it. It will deliver the desired result. 

BougeRV is known for its sustainable energy products. Its main aim is to offer excellent solar product solutions to promote a sustainable future for everyone everywhere. They are known for solar accessories, power stations, and solar panels for RVs.  

BougeRV offers tremendous solar panels for RVs with fantastic tech support and a reliable warm warranty. The 9BB cell design aids in providing more power. It comes with a compact design and is stable in very many scenarios. The BougeRV is durable and long-lasting, user-friendly, and easy to install. 

Review

BougeRV mainly constitutes glass and has dimensions of 54.72 x 27.8 x 1.38 inches. The efficiency of these solar panels for RVs comes in at around 22.8%. The 98B cell design offers more busbar, which means more power. It has a 22.8% conversion rate, making the solar panel last long, and there is also an increased cell receiving surface. The BougeRV is made of a class A solar cell with no visible micro-cracks and defects; this solar panel passes the EL test. Class B and Class C cells have visible cracks. The grade A cell determines what the actual output of the solar panel will be.

Compared to other solar panels for RVs, the BougeRV is around 8% smaller; however, size is not everything; it can power just as much or even more. Compared to 100-watt solar panels, it is 48% larger but offers 100% additional power. The fact that it occupies less space makes it convenient for smaller areas like RVs and trailers.

In terms of use, they can be used in many areas and are compatible with on and off-grid inverters. The BougeRV can be used to power your home or outdoors, basically anywhere. The corrosion-resistant aluminum material is more than capable of handling harsh weather conditions outside and increases its lifespan. It is resistant to snow up to 5400 Pa and violent winds up to 2400 Pa. These solar panels for RVs will also offer excellent performance even when there is low light or the sun is not shining.

Using it is relatively simple, and so is setting it up. The BougeRV is user-friendly; the water junction box is rated at IP67 and capable of separating environmental impurities. Diodes come pre-installed within the junction box, also featuring a 3-foot cable. The back panel holes come pre-drilled to ease the installation process without you having to use heavy tools.    

However, despite all the positive things that come with this solar panel, the one that stands out is the post-sale services that come with purchasing this solar panel. It has an 18-month warranty for the product and a 25-year power warranty for power. In addition, the customer care service will always be there to tend to any issues or trouble you may have with your solar panel. The only downside to this solar panel is its relatively more expensive cost.

Summary

We recommend the Renogy 200 Watt starter kit as the best overall solar panels for RVs. It is almost the best in every aspect: power, budget, and versatility. However, if efficiency is your priority, we recommend the Newpowa Solar panel. It also comes with a classic design and is budget-friendly.

The Topsolar panel is perfect if you want to power different things, maybe your RV today, your home, or your cabin tomorrow. It is ideal for most scenarios. The WEIZE 200 Watt solar panel is durable and withstands harsh outdoor conditions. So if you are looking for solar panels for RVs that would take up much less space and give you twice the power, the BougeRV is your best pick.