6 Differences Between RV and Residential Solar Panels

You may have purchased and installed solar panels on your home and now you’re considering them for your RV…or perhaps it’s the other way around.

Either way, it’s important to know the differences between solar panels that are suitable for your RV and residential solar panels. 

Basically, and solar array you put on your RV is just a smaller version of what you’ll have on your home…but there are more differences than just size. Here are 6 differences between RV and residential solar panels that you should know about.

• Size and Weight
• Power Output
• Installation Requirements
• Installation Flexibility
• Price
• Maintenance

Size And Weight

Residential solar panels are typically larger than RV solar panels. On average, residential solar panels measure 65 inches by 39 inches whereas solar panels suited for RV’s measure about 49, 58, or 64.5 inches long (they can vary since RV’s and camper vans come in different lengths) by 26.5 inches. 

The size difference between residential and RV solar panels is especially noticeable on smaller RV’s and camper vans since they have smaller roof real estate on which to attach a solar array.

The weight of the two types of solar panels is also different. Residential solar panels are usually heavier, with a weight of around 120 pounds. They also have more metal in them as well because they need to be able to withstand wind gusts and heavy loads.

RV solar panels are much lighter at just 59 pounds on average, which is perfect for people who will be moving their RV often or want the panels to be easier to install. Some kits, like this one from Renogy, weigh in at less than 17 pounds!

Power Output

You might think that a solar array for your RV won’t put out as much power as a residential solar setup…and you’d be right. But remember, you’re not trying to power nearly as many devices in an RV as you do in a home. On top of that, appliances in RVs are usually smaller and designed to be as energy-efficient as possible.

Residential solar panels put out about three to four kilowatts of power and RV solar panels put out about two.

A rule of thumb is that residential systems will typically produce one watt per square foot, while an RV system will usually produce 0.25 watts per square foot (though this can vary depending on the type of panel).

Experts recommend a 400-watt RV system for a 30-foot camper van and 600 watts (or more) for larger RVs.

As an added bonus, you’ll be able to use your RV’s solar panels to charge up the battery while the vehicle is parked in sunlight so long as it has an inverter, which most new models do have. For information on solar inverters, here is an article I wrote talking about those.

Being able to keep the batteries on your RV charged up means having power while parked in the shade and even through the night!

Installation Requirements

As I mentioned above, RV solar panels are much lighter and easier to install than residential solar panels.

To install solar panels for most RVs, all you really need are metal brackets that will attach to any surface with screws or bolts. This makes installing them much easier since they can be mounted anywhere…not just flat surfaces like residential solar arrays usually require.

Being larger, residential solar panels need to be installed by professionals. Heavy-duty racking needs to be installed first and then the solar panel is attached to those. 

For RV’s, the best place for them is typically on top of a vehicle or camper van roof near one end where they will receive full sun exposure all day long.

When installing residential solar panels, on the other hand, it’s important to know the orientation of your home and make sure that you’ll be able to get enough sunlight…again, this is where a solar installation professional can come in handy.

Installation Flexibility

This subheading has a few meanings:

• First – Where You Can Place Solar Panels.
• Second – Amount of Solar Panels.
• Third – Solar Panel Removal 

Where Can You Place Solar Panels?

RV – On an RV you really only have one option…solar panels are going on the roof. A larger RV will be able to house more solar panels than a small camper van. But no matter the size of the RV, you’re limited to roof-top installation. You’ll also have to be mindful of vents that are on the roof of your RV since these can’t be covered up.

Residential – Typically, solar panels are going to be installed on the south-facing side of your roof but if you have a large yard with a lot of sun exposure or out-buildings like barns or garages, you can choose to mount solar panels to these.

Having ground-mounted solar panels is usually reserved for farms or fields…basically, properties that have acres and acres of land, but smaller yards can support solar panels. It really comes down to how much yard space you want to give up for solar panels and if the amount of sun they would get makes it worth it.

Mounting solar panels on out-buildings (again, like garages, barns, or sheds) is a way to increase the amount of solar energy your home can produce. On the other hand, you may want to keep the roof of your house free from solar panels, so using these other structures allows you to use green energy while protecting the roof of your home.

How Many Solar Panels Can I Have?

RV – Most RV models will only be able to hold a maximum of 150 watts, which is about 18-24 inches worth of solar panels. The bigger the roof area you have…and hence, more room for your solar panel array…then the more power you can get out of them. 

Ideally, you want to use a solar kit that is designed for RV’s like these kits from Renogy. These kits can be purchased with single, 100 Watt panels all the way up to 8 panels to deliver 800 Watts…and best of all they have all the needed accessories and equipment to get your RV solar-ready.

Your RV solar array is powering smaller square footage than your home’s solar array, and the appliances being used are usually much more energy efficient. Add to this, if you’re in your RV you’re likely camping, which means you’re typically spending less time in the RV than you spend in your home when not camping.

You’re also most likely using other means to prepare your food rather than stoves, microwave, and ovens…greatly reducing the need for electricity.

Residential – Residential solar panels will depend on the size of your roof and what is allowed in your area. The smallest residential system, for example, can hold up to 20 square feet worth of solar panels while the largest systems could handle over 300 square yards. 

A typical residential array would have a minimum of about 12 cells with an average output per cell of around 250 watts.

Can I Remove Solar Panels?

RV – Removing solar panels from an RV is a lot easier than removing them from a rooftop of a house. If you plan to sell or trade-in your RV you will likely need to remove installed solar panels.

While installing solar panels on your RV can be a great DIY project, you may want to have professionals do the removal to minimize damage to the panels and to the roof of your RV. They can usually make quick work of sealing any holes left behind by screws and bolts.

Residential – For residential solar panels, getting them off your roof is a bit more complicated as you will be working from a slanted, elevated roof. It’s a bit trickier, but can be done with the proper equipment. 

Like RV solar panel removal, I highly recommend having solar professionals do the removal for you. Many solar installation companies will have a discounted package price for removing old solar panels and installing new ones, so this might be worth checking into.

Lastly, after the solar panels are removed it’s a good idea to have a roof inspector come and check out your property to make sure your roof is still in good shape. They will point out any issues you will need to address before selling your home or installing a new solar power system.

Price

The panels for RV solar panels are less expensive than residential panels. For example, a typical single panel from an RV system is about $300 while it’s closer to $600 for one that will be used in your home.

For a full solar panel set up on a 2000 SF home, you can expect to spend upwards of $25,000. For a 30 foot RV solar setup, you can expect to spend around $2000 – $2500 on panels. Racking and installation will add a few hundred more dollars. 

Remember, the price doesn’t include your inverter which will cost anywhere from $200 – 400 (depending on the size), or your battery (which typically ranges from $700 – 1500).

RV solar panels are less expensive because they’re lighter and smaller, which in turn means that there’s less metal. Another factor is that a typical residential panel will have about 20 cells whereas an RV panel might only have 12 or 16…or even fewer if it’s a thin film model designed to be lightweight. 

Maintenance

To get the most out of your solar panel array, you’ll need to keep them well maintained by regularly cleaning them. RV panels, in particular, will need to be cleaned often as they’re more exposed to dust and grime that kicks up from road travel. They also get scraped and rubbed by tree limbs and leaves as you pull in and out of RV camping spots.

Residential solar panels, on the other hand, are built with tempered glass which makes them easier to clean and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. The biggest challenge to cleaning residential solar panels is getting up to them and then safely maneuvering around them. 

Cleaning both types should be done with a soft, damp cloth or microfiber rag that is wrung out first so it’s not dripping wet when you approach the panel. 

If you notice dirt accumulating on your RV solar panels often, then consider adding a rain sensor system that will turn the panels off when it’s raining.

The metal brackets that hold the RV panels will need to be tightened on occasion as well and their bolts replaced every few years for safety reasons. 

Residential solar panel racking also needs to be inspected periodically, typically once or twice per year, and should only take a few minutes at most if they’re properly maintained.