How To Get Reliable Solar Power For RV

By Sandra Brooks


Every home needs a reliable power source to ensure maximum home comfort. Refrigerators, TV sets, home theaters, air conditioners, washing machines and laundry machines, among other types of household appliances, all use electrical energy. Fortunately, the grid is a reliable source of energy, so any home that is connected can enjoy almost unlimited electrical energy. When it comes to a motor home, however, a portable or off-grid energy source is needed. In that regard, photovoltaic panels are perfect. To get affordable solar power for RV, you need to do some research.

If you own an RV, you can either choose to install a generator to provide the electrical energy needed by the RV, or you can install photovoltaic panels. Generators normally produce a lot of noise and they are costly to maintain because you have to buy fuel for the generator. Photovoltaic panels, on the other hand, are quiet and do not have any running costs, so they are perfect for your home on wheels.

Before the panels can be installed, the energy needs of your mobile home will need to be assessed. The peak energy demand of your RV will be calculated and a system designed to meet those needs. A suitable battery will also be required to store enough energy to run your appliances at night when the sun goes down.

Since photovoltaic panels are costly, proper sizing is crucial in keeping the costs low. You do not want to spend too much money on the panels and end up producing more energy than you need in your mobile home. Similarly, you do not want to produce less energy than your RV needs as this can be inconvenient.

To find the best installer, it is important you make a shortlist of the most experienced firms. Experience is important because you want the job done right, so you should hire a firm that has done similar jobs in the past. Be sure to check the portfolio of the installer to see the kinds of RVs they have worked on in the past.

Only licensed contractors should be given any consideration. This is because you want to hire a firm that has met all the legal and professional requirements to offer the services you need. In that regard, the ideal firm should have qualified electricians who hold a valid electrical license. Do not settle for anything less because you might put yourself, your RV and family at risk.

Ideally, you should give priority consideration to shortlisted firms that have a valid insurance policy. This is because there are many risks that you may be exposed to. For instance, you may be sued if an electrician gets injured while installing the necessary equipment. The installer may also damage your vehicle while installing the system. To get protection against these risks be sure to hire an insured firm.

The cost of installation needs to be compared. Once you have narrowed down the search to three or four firms, you will need to request quotes from those firms and do a comparison. The most affordable contractor should be given priority consideration. When comparing costs, however, be sure to check the specifications of the battery pack, solar panels, voltage regulator and inverter that comes with the system. This will enable you to make the right decision.




About the Author: