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Stay powered up on the road, at national parks, and even at the most remote campsites. 350W Solar Module
Just because you want to go off the grid for extended periods of time doesn’t mean you want to give up all of your creature comforts. With your RV or camper, you aren’t beholden to campsites or parks with electricity hookups—but that means drawing from your limited battery or gas supply if you want the fridge and toaster to work. Staying powered up without worry requires an easily-renewable energy source, and the best option is kitting out your home on wheels with some RV solar panels.
Along with solar power generators, solar panels are a quiet alternative for keeping your appliances working without lugging around spare gas cans or stopping at the gas station to fuel up for your traditional generator. RV solar panels come in different sizes and wattages for various needs, and you can even buy adjustable ones for paring down or expanding to suit the trip at hand.
The two most common solar panel materials are monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels use a single silicon crystal to capture solar energy, while polycrystalline panels rely on multiple silicon crystal fragments. Monocrystalline is more efficient so we only recommend this type.
Solar panels come in rigid and flexible models. This matters when deciding where you are going to use your panels and whether or not you plan on mounting them permanently on top of your RV or camper. Flexible panels are ideal if you’re mounting on a curved or uneven surface, but if your RV is flat up top, a rigid panel will work just fine.
Decide whether you want to mount your panels or go the portable route. Mountable panels come with hardware and instructions for self-installation, like our best overall pick from Renogy. Mountable RV solar panels are more durable than portable ones, fit with waterproofing and wind resistance, since they are always outside braving the elements.
Portable solar panels fold up for compact storage, designed for easy set-up and tear-down from site to site. They are scratch-resistant and can handle a light shower, but they’re not meant to stay outside permanently and will get damaged if you do so. Some portable picks have features like integrated kickstands and handles to make setting them up at the optimal angle as smooth as possible, no matter where you’ve posted up for the night.
Most RV and camper rigs require 100 to 500 watts of solar power depending on what you need powered. 100 watts will power a small fridge along with a toaster and coffee maker, but if you have a full on electric stove, a fridge, and multiple appliances, you’ll need more power.
We recommend you start small and expand to more wattage if needed as multiple panels can be wired together for more energy. Keep in mind product descriptions describe watts in optimal conditions—sunny day, no shade, no clouds—and typically pull less than this. The efficiency rate is a better sign of how well the solar panel works—the best ones are 23 percent or higher.
To choose the best RV solar panels, we used our expertise from testing and recommending solar power generators, as well as reviews from other travel outlets like Treehugger and SolarReviews. We considered the different uses for RV solar panels, ultimately presenting a range of options that work for different RV electrical needs. After pooling together the top products, we scoured user reviews to ensure that the quality and efficiency of these solar panels adheres to the performance the manufacturers promise. Here are out top picks for RV solar panels to keep you powered up and on the road.
This kit has almost everything needed for easy installation on any RV or camper. (It doesn’t include a battery, though most kits don’t.) It’s made especially for those who have never installed solar panels, so the components are straightforward and user-friendly. This setup works best for small to medium set-ups like Sprinter vans, camper trailers, and medium-sized RVs.
The two 100-watt solar panels are rigid, but relatively lightweight at 18 pounds, and the included Z brackets and pre-drilled holes on the hardware make mounting easy atop any RV or van.
The included charge controller has LED indicators that let users monitor the status of their Renogy setup. Pro tip: Regulating the amount of energy flowing into the battery reduces the risk of overcharging, overloading, and short-circuiting.
The indicators on these panels also alert you to input changes due to weather conditions like rain, clouds, or nightfall. The aluminum frame panels are UV- and corrosion-resistant to withstand high winds, rain, snow, and blazing heat. For anyone looking to install their first RV solar panels on their own, this kit is an excellent pick.
This is the largest single 12-volt panel on the market, drawing up to 190W of power to keep any battery charged on long trips, camping, or on the road. All of the mounting hardware and cables needed to connect to your battery are included, making installation easy.
It’s made with an anodized aluminum frame to hold up against weather and durable tempered-glass panels. The panel is on the heavier side at 26 pounds, but packs a lot of power with a wattage of 190.
If you need more power, the company sells an expansion kit that doubles the output. It’s designed for seamless connectivity between your existing solar power system and the panels you want to add for more power.
Customers report easy installation and that the panel maintains power in their RVs even in less-than-ideal conditions like partly cloudy skies and rain.
This RV solar panel is great for uneven surfaces like Airstreams and vans, or propped up facing the sun at your campsite. It weighs only four pounds and can withstand high winds, rain, and snow.
It mounts using silicon adhesives for permanent installation, so there’s no need to worry about drilling holes. It can flex up to 248 degrees without any micro-cracks forming, which is handy for hitting the right angle after midday.
Customers like the slim profile of these panels and say the output is great for such lightweight panels. These are best suited for small camper set-ups or as expansions to larger RV solar energy systems, as just one or two of these isn’t enough for a large RV with a lot of appliances.
This powerful solar panel folds up to a slim 25 by 23 inches and weighs just 16 pounds for easy storage and portability. The integrated kickstand allows you to angle the panel to most efficiently catch sunlight.
It’s designed for durability with a scratch and splash-resistant coating, but it isn’t waterproof and you shouldn’t leave it out in the rain. This portable panel is good for adding power to your RV or camper set-up without taking up a lot of room.
While customers are satisfied with the power output, some notice that ancillary components—like carrying handles and wire straps—aren’t as durable as the panel. Still, the majority of customers report this works as expected and the portability and easy deployment of the panel make this a worthy buy.
This Rockpals panel folds up to 17 by 15 inches and weighs only nine pounds, making it the most lightweight option we recommend. That doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful, though, giving you 100 watts of power wherever you need it. It can charge all types of batteries and has the option to deliver power directly to your devices with the integrated USB-C and USB-A ports.
The included cable connection is versatile, with two different-sized DC jacks and an Andersen connector. There’s also a parallel connector cable included if you want to buy another solar panel for a total of 200 watts of power.
Our deputy editor, Zoë Hannah, uses two of these panels to charge up her portable power stations, and while she’s never used them to power an RV, they’re supremely easy to store and set up. The one drawback is the lack of a kickstand—you’d be surprised how much less power you can draw when the panel isn’t angled toward the sun.
Customers also report that service from Rockpals is remarkably helpful with questions or any spare parts you may need.
This combo from Jackery includes both the solar panel and a portable power station, so you get an entire power system—one that works in and out of your RV—in one purchase. The generator houses the lithium-ion battery and inverter and is small enough to carry with one hand.
The 100-watt solar panels folds up and includes integrated handles for portability. At 11 pounds, it doesn’t weight down your camper and isn’t too heavy to move and maneuver.
It has a USB-C and USB-A port built into the back, so you can charge small devices by plugging directly into the solar panel without needing extra adapters. The kickstand adjusts to different angles for the optimal amount of direct sunlight.
Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
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