Solar Power

This video breaks down the use of solar in a straightforward and simplified manner. Use this as an educational tool or feel free to share it with your retail customers.

Terminology to understand

1: 12V DC: This is power from your battery that can be used to power simple low energy consuming components, such as fantastic fan, water pump, etc.

2: 110v AC: This is the power that is used to power large components, such as your outlets, air conditioning units, hair dryers, etc.

3: Inverter: This converts 12v DC energy into 110v AC energy.

4: Charge Controller: Makes sure your battery charges as fast and efficiently as possible. (only controls how the battery is charged with solar energy)

The general flow of solar energy

Sun --> Solar Panel --> Charge Controller --> Battery --> Inverter --> Outlets for power

The solar panel captures energy from sunlight after it passes through the charge controller and becomes DC energy it enters the battery. The battery could disseminate this energy to components that do not require a great deal of voltage. However, most components in your rig need more than 12 volts. This DC energy will enter the inverter and turn into AC energy. This AC energy can then be used to power the various systems in your coach.

Calculate how much solar energy you need

What size inverter should I get?

To calculate your ideal inverter, add up the total wattage requirements of all the equipment you want to power and add 20 percent to the total as a safeguard. Some appliances will surge when they first start up, like microwaves, so we recommend you calculate your wattage requirements based on the high surge value to be safe.

For example, if you add up the wattage of all the appliances that would be running at the same time and it’s 3000 watts, then add another 20%, you get 3600.

For the purposes of RVing, a 2000-4000 watt inverter should be sufficient to power your coach consistently and account for surge loads. Our Sol - Powered by the Sun packages that include an inverter use a 2000 watt model.

If this feels overwhelming, do not worry, this is how I felt when I first started diving into solar power and RVs.