Life on the road has been a lifestyle and goal of travelers for decades. Whether it was Jack Kerouac who first inspired freedom-seekers in the 1970s, or the VW Westfalia, people of all walks of life continue to seek the solace that’s found on the open road.
A big part of the current trends like #vanlife and overlanding is the lifestyle: freedom from a desk job, rent or mortgage and the ability to explore the country. And people have come up with some creative and impressive solutions to creating a comfortable and efficient lifestyle on the road.
But how do you actually build an adventure mobile you can live in? What’s important to think about and how do you set it all up? Going solar requires hours of research and learning, but that’s what we’re here for. In this guide, we’ll help take the guesswork out of starting your solar adventure.
Sizing Your Electric System
It can be easy to get excited about the prospect of going solar and skip ahead to selecting your solar panels or batteries before doing the research into deciding how large a system you’ll need to cover your energy needs. Properly sizing your system ensures you don’t overspend on a large system that you’re not going to fully utilize or underbuild a system that doesn’t adequately meet your needs. In this section, we’ll review everything you need to know about what to think about when starting your solar journey, from how to avoid common pitfalls to how to size a powerful and efficient system.
Installing Solar Components
There are a lot of elements in a complete solar installation. The solar panels may be the most visible part, but charge controllers, batteries, and inverters are just as important to think about and plan for. In this section, we’ll talk about all the components of your installation, as well as what to consider when selecting and installing these parts on your van.
- How To Build Your Own Off-Grid Solar System
- Solar Panels: Installing Solar Panels on Your Van
- Charge Controller: Solar Charge Controller Sizing and How To Choose One For Your RV
- Battery: How To Size Your Battery Bank to Extend Your Solar Batteries’ Lifespan
- Inverters: Finding The Best Option For You RV
Cost of Installing Solar
Going solar is an investment. But just how much does going solar on your van cost? How do you maximize that investment? In this section, we’ll explore the real world costs of that dream solar installation as well as how to maintain your system to keep it running in tip top shape for years to come.
Top Selling Renogy RV Solar Components
Now that you know the basics of an RV solar installation, selecting and installing components, and budgeting for your system, let’s take a closer look at some of the top selling Renogy products that can help make your solar dreams come true.
