Solar Kits For Camping Trailers & RV – Top 5 Reviews With Comparison

by Robert Mahon | May 21, 2022 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

If you’re like me, then you love to push the limits of RVing. Sure, there are plenty of established places you can go, but what’s the fun in only staying there? Aren’t RVs designed to go anywhere they can take you?

Yes, but then you have to think about things like electricity. That’s where a good solar kit comes in.

With the right solar kit, you can take your RV anywhere without having to worry about your electrical needs. This extra freedom really lets you take the idea of off-roading to new heights.

But, what’s the best bang for your buck when it comes to solar kits? We’ve assembled five of the top brands to help you make the right choice.

Read on for more information about the best solar kits and what I think about each one.

COMPARISON CHART

IMAGE	PRODUCT
	1. Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit Excellent power output. Kit is ready to install with everything needed, right out of the box. Can be used for a variety of applications. Extremely friendly.	LEARN MORE ►
	2. WindyNation 100 Watt Solar Panel Off-Grid RV Boat Kit Expandable and adaptable kit grows as your needs grow. Easy to install and use, with everything you need for most installations right in the box.	LEARN MORE ►
	3. HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Polycrystalline Solar Panel 500 Wh per day Weather and snow-resistant. Anti-reflective technology	LEARN MORE ►
	4. Newpowa 2 Piece 100W Polycrystalline Photovoltaic PV Solar Panel Module 2 panels for twice the output. Connectors included. Strong output overall.	LEARN MORE ►
	5. Go Power! GP-PSK-130 130W Portable Folding Solar Kit Up to 500Wh per day provides more than enough energy. Expandable up to four panels. Comes with everything you need.	LEARN MORE ►

OUR TOP 5 PICKS

#1 Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit

Product Dimensions	47.01 x 1.5 x 20.87 inches.
Item Weight	19.84 pounds
Ideal Output	500Wh per day

Features

Comes with 100W Solar Panel and 30A PWM Negative ground Charge Controller.
Connectors and cables included in the package.
Has several safety features built in to protect against short-circuits, discharging, overloading and more.

Includes mounting Z brackets so you can affix it to anything: boat, RV, pop-up camper, etc.
Expandable up to 400W of power.
Built to last for decades.

For those who are considering a solar kit, but don’t know where to start, the Renogy starter kit is perfect; it contains everything you need to get started, along with several options.

Want to put it on an RV? No problem. Looking to solar-power your applications on a boat? No problem. In short, this starter kit can handle any basic application you throw at it.

It’s also very easy to use and set up; even those with very little electrical or technical experience should be able to install this without any muss or fuss — or know someone who can.

Video

#2 WindyNation 100 Watt Solar Panel Off-Grid RV Boat Kit

Product Dimensions	40 x 1.38 x 26.4 inches.
Item Weight	19 pounds.
Ideal Output	350 Wh per day.

Features

Ready to install on boats, RVs, cabins and other anywhere else you can imagine.
Expandable: comes with one solar panel, but the controller can handle up to four!

Kit comes with 100 Watt WindyNation Solar Panel, 30-Amp Charge Controller, cables and more.

The best part about this kit is its flexibility. It really is designed to handle just about any situation in any place. Sure. We’re talking about RVs here, but boats, cabins and even homes are not our of the question with this kit.

The flexibility extends beyond placement; as your power needs increase, so can the capacity of this system. Add panels as you need to — up to four panels can be safely installed to this controller, giving you power well beyond what comes in the kit.

All in all, this kit is an excellent choice for your solar panel needs.

Video

#3 HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Polycrystalline Solar Panel

CHECK PRICE

Specifications

Product Dimensions	35.6 x 25.9 x 1.4 inches
Item Weight	15 pounds.
Ideal Output	500 Wh per day.

Features

Anti-reflective coating helps to absorb energy instead of deflecting it.
Holes are drilled and ready to mount; mounting equipment not included.

Wind-resistant up to 2400 P; snowload-resistant up to 5400 Pa.
Compatible with Z bracket mounts, pole mounts and tilt mounts.

The HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Polycrystalline Solar Panel is an excellent solar panel. It boasts high efficiency ratings, solid weather resistance and a maximum output of 500 Wh per day, which is adequate for most RVers at any given time.

The biggest downside to this panel is the fact that it comes with nothing else – no control module, no regulator, no wires, no mounting hardware or anything else it might need. If you are able to find and get those separately, then this is a panel to check out.

Video

#4 Newpowa 2 Piece 100W Polycrystalline Photovoltaic PV

Product Dimensions	35.83 x 26.57 x 2.4 inches.
Item Weight	19.62 pounds.
Ideal Output	200W of power (2 panels, 100W each).

Features

Contains two panels, with 100W of power each.
No mounting hardware, but connecting cables included.

Comes with a 25-year power transfer warranty.

Like the HQST listed above, this item is a solar panel without the additional items needed to mount to your RV. That being said, this solar panel is actually a 2-piece package. Each panel is rated for 100W, 12V, which means that you’re actually getting double the power output than you would with only one panel.

It is also rated high when it comes to wind and snow resistance, and even comes with connecting features in the form of pre-installed diodes and 3ft MC4 cables. While this won’t help with mounting, it will definitely make it easier to connect and start getting power immediately.

#5 Go Power! GP-PSK-130 130W Portable Folding Solar Kit

Product Dimensions	32.48 x 2.76 x 19.88 inches.
Item Weight	28.7 pounds.
Ideal Output	500 Wh per day.

Features

Can fully charge a 50Ah Battery from 50% in 3 hours, depending on what sunlight is available.
Expandable up to 400W of power (four panels).

Comes with one 100W Solar Panel, a 30A PWM Negative ground Charge Controller, MC4 Connectors, an 8Ft 10AWG Tray Cable and Mounting Z Brackets.

Let’s get something straight right from the start: this is an excellent solar panel kit. IT really comes with everything you need to get set up, right out of the box. It has excellent power output, expandability and even comes with a warranty.The biggest drawback to this model is the fact that you get everything you get in many other kits out there, for a much steeper price. And if one of the reasons you’re going solar is to save on energy costs, then this becomes a major concern very quickly.

Can you run an RV air conditioner with solar power?

Yes, you can run your RV air conditioner with solar power. This requires a special charge controller that is designed to regulate the voltage and current coming from the solar panels. While a typical RVC unit will run just as well with solar power as it would with grid power, it’s a good idea to have a battery bank to store extra solar energy for those times when the RV is parked in the shade and solar power is limited.

Are solar panels for an RV worth it?

Yes. Recreational vehicles are not powered by traditional mains electricity and depend on a battery to operate. Solar panels can help power the battery and are worth it, although it will depend on how often you use your RV.

CONCLUSION

When you are looking for the best solar kit for your RV, boat or other project, there are a lot of choices available. When you look at all the ones we’ve mentioned, however, it’s clear that the Renology kit offers the best of all worlds — a full kit with rave reviews that doesn’t break the bank.

So, now that you know, it’s time once again to hit the open road; where can you take your RV now? Just about anywhere!

Robert Mahon

RV Enthusiast

Robert Mahon is a seasoned adventurer and a passionate storyteller dedicated to the RV lifestyle. With over two decades of experience exploring the open road, Robert has become an expert in all things RV-related. His journey began with a simple desire to see the world from a different perspective, and it quickly evolved into a full-time passion. Robert's extensive knowledge of RV maintenance, travel tips, and hidden gems makes his writing both informative and engaging. As a key contributor to the RV Expeditioners blog, he shares his insights and experiences, inspiring readers to pursue their own RV adventures. When he's not behind the wheel or writing, Robert enjoys hiking, photography, and discovering new destinations off the beaten path. His deep appreciation for the RV lifestyle is evident in every post, making him a trusted voice in the RV community.