By Cheri Sicard
Did you know there’s more than one way to add solar capabilities to your RV? I am continually amazed at the number of campers and RVers I have encountered who have never heard of a solar generator or don’t know what it can do.
A solar power station might be more apropos as it is not a generator in the traditional sense. But since most people know and search for this term, I will use it here.
A while ago, on my long, long RV trip, I quickly lost count of times neighbors asked “What’s that?” or came over to check out my portable solar panels, not knowing that such a thing was possible.
Sure, some people, especially with larger rigs, will want to install permanent solar.
However, depending on your RVing style, a solar generator may hold some enticing advantages over installing solar panels on your RV’s roof and then purchasing and installing the inverter and controls and monitors associated with them.
To begin with, solar generators come in various sizes, so depending on how much power you need, there probably is an option for you. There is the possible exception of running your air conditioner, although it can be done with a large enough generator and some modifications such as a SoftStart.
My Jackery 1500 solar generator keeps my devices charged and keeps my small appliances running, including fans, a small heater, coffee grinder, blender and the like. I even use it to trickle-charge the house batteries while boondocking. Pretty much everything except the air conditioner.
When boondocking, I get into a rhythm of when to put out my four solar panels in order to recharge and be at or near 100 percent stored power come evenings.
Of course, the weather has to cooperate at least to some degree. You can pull some power on almost any rain-free day, even when overcast, but it will greatly reduce your power-generating capacity.
If you do require a lot of power, or you run your A/C a lot, then an installed solar system might be a better option for you. (Or a solar system and gas generator.) But otherwise, consider a solar generator.
7 advantages of a solar generator over installed solar on an RV
Quicker and easier: Professionally installed solar can be costly and involves mounting panels on your roof and installing wiring and controls in your rig. Things can and sometimes do go wrong, and the process can take a while before all the work gets done. Conversely, you can take a solar generator out of the box and be fully charged and ready to use in a few hours. Zero installation needed.
Portable: The solar generator and its power need not stay in your RV. Both within your RV and outside of it, solar generators are incredibly versatile. Take it outside to power outdoor parties; ditto on the boat. Even when at home, you have a backup plan should the power ever go out. This is also advantageous if you won’t be keeping your present RV for long. You can simply take the solar generator with you to your next rig.
Multiple ways to use power: You have lots of plug and charging options.
Multiple ways to recharge: You can use solar panels, plug into a wall outlet, or charge via your vehicle while driving.
Lower cost: Depending on the size system you need to be installed or the size generator you require, the solar generator will usually cost less.
Less maintenance: While both solar power methods have solar panels that will need to be cleaned, the ones that come with the solar generator are far easier to access and clean and require less overall maintenance.
Leak-free: Installing solar panels on the roof entails attaching hardware to your rig’s roof, which makes for a potential new place for leaks down the road. Since the solar generator is not installed, this is never a worry.
Solar generator buying tips
Without a doubt, a large solar generator is a big purchase. I had planned to add this accessory somewhere down the road, but I ended up buying mine long before I ever took off on my Long Long RV Trip.
Why? Because Amazon made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.
If you are in the market for a solar generator, it might be beneficial to wait for their annual Prime Day, usually in July, as discounts were SUBSTANTIAL!
Another way to potentially get discounts and special offers any time of year is to get yourself on the mailing lists for the solar generator brands you are interested in.
When I started researching solar generators, two brands stood out among others: Jackery and Bluetti.
From everything I read about them, including unbiased consumer reviews, they seemed more or less equal. I have no doubt both would do a great job. The only factor that nudged me towards Jackery was the amazing Amazon Prime Day deal I got.
##RVT1150
Cheri, this is an excellent article and we too, have already purchased 2 different Generators for our RV Adventures, as well as a smaller backup for some home use. We reside in Florida but have 2 units on a Lake in NC. This year we will have the panels setup to see what we can and can’t power with the Units. One of them is a 3,600 Watt Natures Generator. We did considerable research on the brand and read some very good reviews. I will follow up with a small writing after we find out what it can do. Happy Camping!
“Solar Generator” what a success story for the marketing industry. My neighbor told he didn’t need a gas generator he has a solar generator that’s expandable. When I said that’s not a generator it’s a portable solar system with a battery wrapped up in a fancy case with some plugs and usb’s. With that said the system is great for tent, car camping, or limited emergency use at home. I very much like solar and have a portable system to keep the TT house batteries charged up (I also have gas generator) when boondocking. JMHO
Solar generators have a very narrow niche.. i.e., small, limited time-span appliances. The cost per aH is several times that of a conventional, installed system. If an RV owner has the “real estate” to mount panels, the advantage is that they are out of the way, with no packing/unpacking required. My unit came with a “Solar Plus” pkg… three 320w solar panels, 3x 100aH lithium batteries and 3000watt inverter.
I’m currently parked overnight at a Walmart, watching a 55″ TV, having a coffee, and the gas furnace is running. Try that with Solar generator!
Plus, with portable panels placed out in the hot sun, you can be charging the unit while your rig is in the shade.
What I like most about my permanently installed roof panels is that we can go off for the day and not worry about someone liking them and stealing them. Also, we charge while driving – and running our TT sized ac fridge. No fuss, no muss. It all runs in the background and needs almost no maintenance. And as Greg mentioned, it’s not a “solar generator”. It’s a battery being charged with solar panels you have to set out to collect the sun’s energy. Less expensive to be sure, but a hassle to set up.
I have an external solar panel that directly plugs into a port on my RV. And I hate it. It takes up storage, is a hassle to set up and pack in all the time, it looks “cluttery” to be polite, I have to wonder if someone might take it, I can’t use it in some locations. I can’t imagine having the added hassle of a having to charge the house battery with that power station.
I can’t WAIT to have some permanent panels on the roof that charge all day, everyday.
Ray, where are you? I’ll take it! Thanks
I prefer my diesel generator but I do also love the sunlight absorbing panels on my roof that trickle charge my batteries while driving. Those sunlight absorbing panels are very similar to a solar generator. Perhaps if they added an ICE engine to a solar generator and called it a hybrid generator they could then sell a hybrid solar generator that can also run an A/C unit and a fridge and a TV all at the same time while brewing coffee. Now that’s an untapped business model for someone out there.
Thank you, Cheri! 🙂 You make a strong argument for a solar “generator!” The prices undercut my effort to convince DW that it is a prudent purchase. Perhaps as we travel more, she will see the wisdom of adding one to our set of tools. Thanks again, safe travels, and happy Easter! 🙂
For $4000 you can get a Jackery with an advertised 3024 Watt-hours. That is equivalent to about 25 Amp-hours which batteries and solar systems are based on. So that’s not too bad in the way of power. But! you can buy a 100Ah LiFePo battery, 300w solar panel w/charge controller, and a 5k watt inverter (30 amps), all for around $1800, add in cables and connectors and you’re still at half the price of the Jackery with 4X the power. A “solar generator” is just a cute name for a battery being recharged by a solar panel.
Honestly, this article just reads as an advertisement. All pros, no cons. While I admit that solar “generators” have their plusses, they also have their drawbacks:
1] At least here, I can install permanent panels plus lithium ion batteries for less than buying a pre-done solar “generator”- and have higher output/storage capacity. (I’ll mention that adding additional panels to my roof involved no new holes in the roof – there are other methods)
2) panels on the roof of my trailer mean no packing/ unpacking, and I don’t have to figure out where to store the pieces while travelling.
i do agree, the “generators” are easy to use, but it would have been nice to see a more balanced article.
hmmm, no mention of self adhesive solar panels leaving only a single hole requirement for wiring pass thru and sealed up as you would anything else on the roof. solar panels have come a long way so don’t dismiss it as being a costly addition or maintenance hog.
Good article. Recently purchased a Yoshino 4000 unit and use it for house backup and rv. It is solid state which cuts weight by 50%. Unit will operate my residential fridge in the rv for 10 hours and still have 45% remaining. It is half the size and weight of the other comparable 4000 watt units. As far as I know it is the only solid state unit available. You should check this unit out before purchasing one of these. Not cheap, but sometimes you get what you pat for.
We bought a EcoFlow River2 Pro with 160W panel and have been very pleased with it. We used it extensively while boondocking in Arizona.
But one disadvantage not mentioned with portable panels is wind! We could not use our panels when the strong spring desert winds hit.