There are three main types of RV solar panels you will have to choose from when deciding what to purchase for your RV solar system setup. They are:
- Monocrystalline — made from monocrystalline solar cells.
- Polycrystalline — made from different pure silicon fragments.
- Amorphous — made from a fine layer of non-crystalline silicon.
What type of RV solar panel you purchase will depend on many factors such as: budget, size of RV, how much power you need to generate, whether you want flexible or rigid panels etc. But in general, polycrystalline panels are the most affordable, monocrystalline are the most efficient (i.e. generate the most energy in the least amount of time), and amorphous very lightweight and flexible due to the thin layers of photovoltaic material.
Related post: How Do RV Solar Systems Work?
How much more expensive are the more efficient monocrystalline panels than polycrystalline? They cost approximately 20% more but also provide an approximate 20% increase in efficiency.
Another advantage of monocystalline panels is that they require less surface area to produce the same energy output as polycrystalline panels, which can be an important consideration if you have a small rig with limited roof space.
Amorphous solar panels are less efficient (closer to 7%) therefore you would need to buy more panels for similar power output. They typically are used only for small, portable solar power kits.
5 RV solar panel offerings by top brands
Popular brands tend to be popular not only because they have the cash to invest in advertising, but also because they have a product that is customer-tested and approved. If you start to research what RV solar panel you want to buy, and get overwhelmed… I’m right with ya. I price compare like there’s no tomorrow and there are so many offerings on Amazon from companies I’d never heard of, trying to find a good deal got a little frustrating.
So I checked out the recommended top brands and their products online and here are a few that you might want to consider:
- Renogy Monocrystalline RV Solar Panel Kit — 200 watt rigid panel with PWM charge controller and mounting brackets. I’ll definitely consider this one.
- GoPower Overlander 190W Solar Kit for RVs — 190 watt rigid panel with PWM charge controller and mounting hardware. It’s on the high-end price range but may have advantages that aren’t the scope of this list. Check it out!
- BLUETTI Monocrystalline Portable Solar Panel PV200 — a foldable portable 200 watt panel that weights 16 pounds.
- EF Ecoflow 160W Solar Panel — 160 watt foldable portable panel weighing 16 pounds.
- Topsolar 100W Solar Battery Charger — 100 watt panel with charge controller and cables to hook up directly to your battery. Weighs 15 pounds.
Knowing what is selling well can be a good starting point, then if you want to take a risk purchasing from a less expensive competitor you can. I’m guessing returning for a refund if there are problems would be a major pain in the rear end.
Cheers.