7 Best Solar Generators For RV: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

As an avid RV enthusiast and green citizen, I was looking to replace my gas generator with a clean source of energy that is safe for me and the environment. 

Soon, I realized that if I wanted to find the best solar generator for RV, I would have to try as many of them first hand. 

I bought and borrowed, traded and sold. And after a whole year of tests and trials, I can tell you that the best solar generator for RV is the Bluetti AC200P. 

But, my choice might not be yours. So here are the 7 best solar generators for RV.

My Top 3 Picks for the Best Solar Generators For RV

7 Best Solar Generators For RV Reviews

RV Solar Generator Buying Debates and Concerns

Help, My Solar Generator Doesn’t Have an RV Plug!

RVs have a large, heavy-duty three-prong 30 amp plug. It may look like a standard home 110/120V plug, but it’s not.

Most campgrounds you visit will provide you with a 30 amp outlet so you can plug your RV power cord directly into the grid.

But if you want to fit your RV with a solar generator, it would be nice that the unit itself comes with a 30 amp RV outlet. This way you can use your trailer’s own outlets without running countless extension cords.

The Zero Point  Energy Titan is the only solar generator with a 30 amp RV outlet on this list.

But if your solar generator doesn’t have one, don’t worry. Plug this 30 amp RV adapter in one of the AC ports and you’re all set.

Can I Run Air Conditioners Using My RV Solar Generator?

Yes, you can. With the right setup.

However, running an RV air conditioner might be challenging. First of all, A/C units are real energy hogs — they need lots of power both to start and keep running. An average RV air conditioner needs about 1,800 watts to start up and 650 watts to keep your trailer cool.

This means if you want to run the AC overnight, you need a battery bank of at least 700Ah.

The next challenge is the whole nature of solar power — solar panels work best in direct sunlight, while your RV is more likely to stay cool in the shade.

So, for an average RV air conditioner of around 13,000 BTUs, you need a minimum of 1,500 watts of solar power. If your vehicle roof can take 15x100W solar panels, I'd say your problem is solved.

If you’re not sure about your air conditioner wattage, take the number of BTUs and divide it by 10. So, a 13,000 BTU A/C unit uses roughly about 1,300 watts of power.

How Many Solar Panels Do I Need for Boondocking?

It depends on the number of batteries you need to charge and what appliances you want to power.

Basically, you need to add up the amp hours (Ah) of your batteries on one side and the wattage requirements of your appliances on the other.

So if your kit has a single 12V battery at 100Ah, you should have a minimum of 3x100W solar panels. With two 12V batteries at 200-250Ah, you need at least 4x100W solar panels or 2x200W solar panels.

The formula says you can get 30Ah of battery charge with a 100W solar panel and 5-9 hours of sun exposure.

For example, if you want to run only basic RV essentials, 300 watts of solar panels would be enough. These include the LED lights, ceiling fans, refrigerator, and water heater, along with a few electronics.

If you want to add a 1,000-watt microwave to the bunch, add another battery and mount a minimum of 400 watts of solar. 

Where Should I Place the Solar Panels on RV?

In an ideal scenario, all your solar panels will fit on your RV roof. This is definitely the most elegant solution — just park it in the sunlight and hook them to the battery. You can even charge as you go.

But if you don’t have enough roof space, would you place them on the ground?

Of course not.

You are going to DIY a portable solar panel stand, just like the one in the video below.

I use flexible solar panels and the whole setup is so light that I can move it easily around for the best sun exposure.

But there is an added benefit to using a ground stand. A 100-watt panel will deliver only between 50-75 watts on the RV roof.

Why?

Because if you stick them to the roof, you can tilt them to face the sun at the ideal 90-degree angle. Also, roof panels are more difficult to keep clean of tree sap and debris for maximum efficiency.

Still, even with the power penalty, roof panels seem to be more popular.

You don't have to set them up every time and there’s no risk of the wind kicking them over.

Should I Use an RV Soft Start Device?

Yes, you definitely should make an RV Soft Start Device a part of your solar generator kit. Remember how those A/C units and larger appliances need a lot of power to start?

A soft start device allows you to start large devices with a smaller solar generator.

With a soft starter device like this EasyStart Micro-Air, I can start my RV air conditioner with several appliances running at the same time.  

Just keep in mind that a soft start device won’t bring down the continuous running wattage — it only helps with the initial power surge.

Which Battery Is Best for My RV?

Lead-acid or AGM batteries use proven and time-tested technology that is less expensive than lithium counterparts. However, AGM batteries are more sensitive to the depth of discharge.

This means the deeper you discharge the battery, the fewer life cycles it has. That’s why manufacturers generally recommend discharging lead-acid batteries to only 50% of their capacity.

That sucks!

With lithium batteries, on the other hand, you don’t have to worry about the depth of discharge. As a result, you can get the desired capacity with fewer batteries.

So, a lead-acid battery might be a better choice if you use your RV only for vacationing, while a lithium battery is better for off-grid living.

And yet, with lithium batteries, there are significant differences between the two popular technologies — lithium-ion and lithium iron.

Li-ion batteries have a higher energy density. This makes them a better choice for power-hungry electronics that drain batteries at a high rate.

Li-iron batteries, on the other hand, have much more stable discharge rates.  This means that don't degrade significantly as their capacity drops.

Lithium-ion batteries generally weigh less, but lithium iron technology is safer to use in hot environments because it’s incombustible. 

If you’re not going to move your battery bank a lot, I recommend you go with lithium iron.

How to Choose Solar Panels for RV

If you’re going to set up panels on your RV “as needed” you should go with flexible solar panels, as they are easy to move and store away. If you’re having them mounted permanently, go with rigid frame solar panels, as they are generally more cost-efficient.

And what about the wattage?

100W solar panels are what you should look for. One 200W panel takes the same amount of space as two 100W panels. While you won’t save any space, two panels are easier to manage and mount. More importantly, smaller panels won’t catch the wind so easily.

When it comes to solar panel technologies, there are differences between thin film, polycrystalline, and monocrystalline panels.

Solar Generators vs DIY Solar Kit: Which Path is Right for You?

Outright, installing an RV solar generator kit is much easier than building a 100% DIY RV solar system from scratch.

To do the whole thing yourself, you need to understand volts, amps, watts, and how they work together for maximum efficiency. And there’s also the matter of safety.

The last thing you need is faulty wiring that can start a fire in your trailer down the road.

However, people have done it and are still doing it. Going DIY allows you to tailor the system to your needs, as you get to choose things like the battery, inverter, connectors, etc.

You still have to know what you’re doing and what works and what doesn't. If you go this path, I recommend you enlist help from a professional electrician.

If you don’t want to experiment, you can simply get a solar generator for RV. These units have all the elements already inside — the inverter, charge controller, plugs, fuses, and batteries. 

Plus, you get a full warranty for the whole package.

The best thing is that today you don’t need to build a custom RV solar system.

You can choose between many quality products with different properties and find one that best matches your needs.

And if you’re still not sure which solar generator for RV is best for you, keep on reading.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Solar Generator for RV

How to Choose an RV Solar Generator Battery

The most important feature of every battery in a solar generator for RV is the capacity. The capacity tells you how long you can power your appliances without having to charge the battery.

Battery capacity is measured in watt-hours (Wh) so for example, a solar generator with a 2,000Wh battery can power an 800W microwave for 2 hours, a 60W laptop for 30 hours, etc.

To choose a generator with an optimal battery for your needs, check the power ratings on the devices you plan to use in your RV at the same time.

For example:

Fridge (150W) + TV (110W) = 260W

2,000Wh / 260W = 7.7h

You can run a fridge and TV for more than 7 hours with a 2,000Wh battery.

Lithium Ion (Li-ion) vs. Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries

The best portable solar generators today use lithium batteries. They are lightweight and you can discharge them up to 80-90% without them losing capacity over time.

However, there are two lithium battery types: lithium-ion (Li-ion) and lithium iron (Li-iron). 

Both types are more efficient than lead-acid types, so you can’t go wrong with any.

Li-ion batteries will help you keep the weight down, and generally cost less.

Li-iron batteries (such as those used by Bluetti) are heavier but have between 3,000 and 5,000 life cycles, which means they’ll last for decades. 

The battery life cycle tells you how many times you can discharge and recharge the battery so that its capacity is still above 80%.

Rated Output VS. Surge Output

The rated output is the wattage your solar generator for RV can continually deliver until the battery is empty.

This number is important because it tells me how many devices (based on wattage) I can plug at the same time.

For example, the 1000W Jackery solar generator can power —

And at the same time, there’s still plenty of power left for me to charge my laptop, phone, camera, etc.

The surge output tells you what wattage the generator can provide to start up appliances that need more power to start running.

You can “override” the surge output by using a soft start device that lets you start up bigger appliances with less surge power. These devices are cheap and easy-to-use.

Why is Solar Input Important?

The solar input tells you how much power the generator can take through solar charging.

For example, the Bluetti AC200P has a solar input of 700W. This means if you connect 7x100W solar panels, in good sunlight, the 2,000Wh battery will recharge in 3-4 hours.

So the higher the input the faster the charging time.

Of course, this kind of efficiency wouldn’t be possible without the MPPT (Multiple Power Point Tracking) controllers.

This device smoothens the voltage difference between an undercharged battery and solar panels. As a result, almost all the solar energy goes into the battery. 

Most modern solar generators for RV have built-in MPPT controllers, but make sure to read the specs first.

Size Does Matter!

While all of the solar generators reviewed here are marketed as portable, this isn't much of an issue with RV use.

Of course, you need to take size into account as Bluetti EP500 will take significantly more space than other options.

In my experience, the arrangement of input and output ports is much more important. I personally like to be able to see all the plugs coming in and out of the unit.

If all the outlets are on one side, I find it easier to place the generator somewhere out of the way. It helps with managing all the connectors, too.

You definitely want a solar generator for RV that supports all three modes of charging — from the AC grid, 12V car outlet, and of course, solar charging.

Choose one with at least three 110V AC outlets, as these will be your main power points. USB ports and a car-type 12V DC outlet are nice to have for charging your gadgets. This way three-pronged outlets are free for more serious appliances.

Which Brand To Go For?

Choose the brand that has a tradition of solar generators, batteries, inverters, and other equipment. 

In most cases, this is a guarantee that they have been making improvements with every next generation of products, and that they have good tech support.

While you may never need it, always go with a solar generator for RV that has a warranty of at least 2 years.

My Recommended Solar Generator for RV