RV Solar Panels

RV Solar Panels

Add free, quiet power to your rig with high-efficiency RV solar panels. We stock rigid, flexible and portable monocrystalline panels from Renogy, Battle Born, Rich Solar, Xantrex, Furrion and Redarc, from compact 50-watt panels to 400-watt portable arrays.

Choosing the right type of RV solar panel

Rigid panels: an aluminum frame and tempered glass make these the most durable, efficient choice for permanent roof installs. They handle wind, hail and snow loads and typically carry 10 to 25-year power warranties.
Flexible panels: lightweight and bendable (up to 180 to 240°), so they fit curved roofs, fiberglass caps and vans. Many install with adhesive, so no drilling.
Portable folding panels and blankets: set them up in the sun and park in the shade. Ideal if you don't want to drill into your roof, or as a supplement to a roof array.

What to look for

Wattage and roof space: measure your available roof area first. Slim and compact panels (like Renogy's Slim and N-type lines) maximize watts on narrow van roofs.
12V vs. 24V panels: 12V panels match small PWM systems. Higher-voltage panels wired in series pair best with an MPPT controller to reduce wire size and voltage loss.
Cell technology: N-type and monocrystalline PERC cells deliver higher efficiency and better heat and low-light performance.
Shade tolerance: bypass diodes and anti-shading technology (Renogy ShadowFlux, Battle Born ShadeGuard) keep power flowing when part of the panel is shaded.

Don't forget the charge controller

Every panel needs a solar charge controller to safely charge your batteries. Shop RV Solar Chargers, or go straight to Lithium MPPT Charge Controllers if you run LiFePO4 batteries.

RV solar panel FAQs

How many solar panels do I need for my RV? Most weekend campers do well with 200 to 400 watts. Full-timers and anyone running a residential fridge or an inverter often install 600 to 1,200 watts or more.

Can I mix panel brands or wattages? It's best to match panels within an array. Mismatched panels in series are limited by the weakest panel.

Will solar run my RV refrigerator? A 12V compressor fridge runs well on solar with lithium batteries. A residential fridge needs a larger array, a battery bank and an inverter. Our team can help you size it: call 1-800-712-8822.