Is Solar Power Worth the Investment for Your Rig?

Even before the COVID-induced boom of outdoor recreation, the quest for solar power was gaining traction. And as the technology continues to improve, the options for outfitting trucks, trailers, and RVs keeps growing. Campers can now power everything from GPS devices and cellphones to fridges and TVs.

What’s more, a recent report by Financialnewsmedia.com projected that the global solar power market size is expected to surpass $194 billion by 2027. With numbers like that, it’s almost certain that both manufacturers and suppliers will continue to beef up their offerings of solar power essentials and accessories.

That said, building a solar setup is an investment – and it varies greatly depending on lifestyle. So, while there are benefits to going solar, it’s worth considering whether or not the investment actually fits the lifestyle at all.

Read on to determine if a solar power setup is right for you.

How It All Works

Solar for RV and automotive requires a few key components – solar panels, a charge controller, and batteries. The panels capture the sun’s rays, the charge controller converts then directs the energy flow (and prevents the panel from overloading the battery), while batteries store excess energy.

Those campers who need to run larger appliances like a refrigerator off grid, will also want a power inverter. This makes it possible to run those 120-volt appliances via solar.

Eva Mitic is the marketing manager at Go Power!, one of North America’s leading innovators of solar-based mobile power solutions. She suggests Bluetooth integration as a “nice-to-have” part of a solar package, equating it to a Smart Home setup. With the Bluetooth option, users can conveniently monitor their power usage.

“That’s something that I personally love to be able to do,” says Mitic. “(I) take a look at my phone while I’m getting ready for a bonfire and check how much solar I brought in during the day and how much I have left to use overnight.”

Mitic adds that for weekend warriors who aren’t planning extended trips in the backcountry, solar can be an excellent backup option when campground power is scarce. Particularly now, with so many travelers on the road, having a solar backup “means you won’t have to worry if you’re stuck in a parking lot for a night or two on your road trip,” she says.

Determine Your Needs

While the casual weekender and the hardcore overlander might have some similarities in needing these three core items to run solar, the way they apply the power can differ greatly.

“The similarities sort of end at the fact that these vehicles have wheels,” says Mitic. “There are so many different variations of living ‘off-the-grid’ that it’s difficult to size a one-size-fits-all solar system.”

Full-time RVers will typically need more extensive (and more expensive) systems to power appliances, while the casual weekender can normally set themselves up with a slightly less complex system.

“There are tent trailers that can pop on a $500 portable kit, and they would be happy for years. Then, you have people who have these big fifth wheels which have residential fridges, and those will need a much, much larger system,” Mitic explains.

Families taking occasional weekend trips into the mountains will likely find it difficult to justify a solar investment. However, overlanders who head off the grid for extended periods at a time will certainly reap benefits from solar power, simply because they’ll need it more regularly. It is that demand that will help narrow down which kind of solar battery to purchase.

“It’s really all about how self-sufficient you want to be,” states Mitic. “Some people love the rugged, wild backcountry. If you’re that kind of person, solar would be a good fit. For me, I know that solar is the right choice because I like to go out into the middle of nowhere: no cell service, no people for miles. I can’t do that with needing to plug the camper in to use my devices or make my tea in the morning.”

Shop Around

Based on the core equipment needed to run a mobile solar power setup, here are a few considerations.

Solar Panels

Solar panels separate into three categories- monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film.

Monocrystalline is generally more expensive than polycrystalline and thin-film, but it’s also higher efficiency. A camper will have to consider making a pricier investment upfront that sets them up for the long term or compromise efficiency to save a little money. For example, if you just need to keep some smaller devices charged up for a short trip, then going with an affordable option could make sense. But if you’re heading entirely off-grid, then investing in efficient panels would be ideal. That said, inexpensive solar panels can also degrade over time and decline in performance, so investing in higher-grade materials is still worth considering.

Solar panels also come in rigid and flexible designs. The flexible panels are practical if there are weight concerns on the vehicle or trailer, or if it needs to be mounted to a rounded surface. These panels are more susceptible to damage than rigid ones, though. So, if they’re being mounted on an off-road vehicle, users will want to make sure they’re properly secured. Generally, rigid panels will work better for more off-road and rugged conditions since they can be secured and reinforced.

Since they come in a broad set of sizes and packs – like those with controllers and batteries included – panels can start around $150-200, and prices climb upwards of $4,000 when bundling other accessories.

Charge controllers

Charge controllers come in Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) variations.

PWM controllers handle the basic job of regulating the power current and keep the battery from overcharging once reaching the target voltage. MPPT controllers are often more expensive than PWMs, but some manufacturers like Go Power! contend that they provide more efficiency and offer more control and expandability options. Go Power! says it recommends “entry-level” setups stick with PWM controllers, while more complex arrangements will benefit from MPPT controllers.

Depending on the complexity and design of the charge controller, prices can range from around $20-60 for a basic PWM controller. For MPPT controllers, features, and optional add-ons like a Bluetooth module can run upwards of $600, like Renogy’s 100A Rover MPPT Charge Controller.

Batteries

Like the other components, battery selection requires buyers to decide whether they want to save some money upfront or pay more for a long-term investment. Outside of a standard lead-acid battery, the two main types of batteries campers will want to consider are Lithium-Ion and Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM).

Lithium-ion batteries are more costly but offer a long lifecycle and no maintenance. In contrast, AGM batteries can be slightly more affordable and discharge better than standard lead-acid batteries.

Laura Falin at RVShare notes that buyers can spend as much as $949 for a high-performance, off-grid battery like the Battle Born LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery. For the weekender crowd, Falin points to more affordable options like the Optima Batteries 8016-103 D34M BlueTop Starting and Deep Cycle Marine Battery which costs around $270.

Regardless of which brand campers go with, Mitic says customer support should always be something to look for. “If you get a solar kit installed and it goes awry in the bush, you want to go with a company that has dealers all over the place that can help you fix your system quickly so you can get back on the road,” says Mitic. “I mean, even if you can find manuals or talk to someone quickly, that’s also a huge plus.”

Top Brands

We mentioned a few brands above in the core equipment breakdown, but here are a few big names in the solar world worth considering:

Zamp Solar

This Bend, Ore.-based company carries a wide set of solar gear, including systems for RVs, van conversions, and overland packages. Prices range anywhere from $299.99 all the way up through $1,000 depending on the options and application. Worth noting is Zamp’s OBSIDIAN SERIES portable solar kits. These low-profile, lightweight solar kits come in 45-to-200-watt variations that can accommodate just about everyone.

REDARC

This Australian company is driving serious innovation in the solar industry, testing many of its products to hold up in the rough conditions of the Outback. Their rugged equipment is suitable mainly for the hardcore overlander who needs a reliable system. The REDARC Manager30, a battery management system, comes in at roughly $1,300, but it features AC, DC, and solar inputs.

REDARC has technology now that allows the company to use a customer’s mobile phone to troubleshoot their installation. The customer simply holds their smartphone up to the RV or piece of equipment, and on REDARC’s end, representatives can use a tool to draw a circle around a specific connection, aiding customers in identifying trouble areas.

Go Power!

Like Zamp, Go Power! carries a wide swath of power systems for the solar enthusiast. Take a closer look at their DuraLite Portable Solar Kit, which is currently priced at $500. The kit features USB charging for all the necessary gadgets and phones and multiple connection options for battery banks and portable power packs.

Is it for You?

Deciding whether solar is worth the investment weighs heavily on outdoor lifestyle and application. Shoppers need to figure out how much overall power they’ll need to store regularly to function. Go Power! offers an online calculator where shoppers can dial in the best fit by vehicle type, installation preference, travel type, DC power loads, and AC loads.

For those who don’t want to get that granular, Mitic offers a few parting thoughts: “If you like the idea of hearing nothing but the wilderness around you and want to really disconnect from the world, it’s worth it,” she says, adding those interested in going green will benefit.

And finally, she points to the one common expense most outdoors enthusiasts encounter: “If you think about how much you’ve spent on park fees in the past, say 2 years, and you’re over $500, it’s worth it,” she says.