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Solar Power

Solar Powering Your RV

A lot of RV owners consider their vehicle to be just as much of a home as their actual house. That's why it only makes sense to consider a solar-powered RV as well as a solar home, especially when you spend a great amount of time on the road. And like all things solar, not only are there environmental benefits, but solar power is rewarding in a practical sense as well.
For instance, solar systems weigh less than a small generator that RVs are usually outfitted with, not to mention the gasoline they require. And clearly, RV owners want their machine to run faster and better, so less weight (and fumes) is always the best bet! A luxury comfort that solar systems provide is that they produce zero noise. RVs are usually intended for the purpose of getting away from it all, and relaxing, so what better way to achieve that, than to cut back on sound pollution? Solar systems require no special skills to operate, no assembly, virtually no maintenance, and of course, they're great for the environment! You can feel good knowing that your family vacation or road trip is not polluting the beautiful scenery that you bought your RV to enjoy in the first place.
Now that we know why solar power is a great alternative to traditional methods of powering recreational vehicles, how can we apply this knowledge to our RVs? Here are some basic things to consider in order to create an efficiently-running solar system for your travels.
First, establish the size of your load. Factors to consider are how many people will be traveling with you, how big your particular model of RV is, and what activities you anticipate using your RV for. For example, a rough estimate of power needed for a family camping trip is 325 watt hours. One watt-hour is the amount of energy expended by a one-watt load that draws power for one hour. This includes light bulbs, heater fans, water pumps, TVs, radios, coffee pots, amongst other miscellaneous items, and the estimated amount of time each of these items is used per day. For dry camping enthusiasts, solar power is a must. Dry camping entails extended camping trips with limited facilities. Your solar energy provider can help you determine what your RV will need.
How much sunlight will you expect to get in your location? It is important to find out how much estimated sunlight will be reaching your area when you travel, and many resources are available to help you acquire this knowledge. The Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology or CREST, can help you find out how much sunlight different locations receive, at different times of the year. So can the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Your solar panel can also be adjusted to different angles throughout the day, to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight possible.
Adding solar power to your life is a great way to save the environment and your money. Find
solar powered products and information at solarpoweredlife.com and start going green today.
Article Source:
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What You Need To Know If Your Thinking Of RV Solar

The first thing to realize is that you are probably not going to be able to generate enough power to fill all your electricity needs for a whole day with your new RV solar panel. A single 50 watt RV solar panel will generate approximately 200 watts of power per day (given sunny circumstances, that is), especially when you consider that it is only during the heat of the day, when the sun is highest in the sky, that the RV solar panel will get the bulk of its charge.
Now, 200 watts is certainly nothing to shake a stick at. Far from trying to discourage you from undertaking this admirable task, we just want to advise you go into it with realistic expectations. The purpose of an RV solar panel should be to supplement your available power, not provide all of it.
With that in mind, it’s a good idea to first sit down and figure out how much supplemental power you’d (realistically) like your RV solar panel system to generate for you. How much power are you planning to run? What is the wattage on your TV, fan, blender, etc. and how long do you intend to run each of them in one day. If you think you’ll be using 800 watts, for example, then you’ll need to install 4 panels. If you live in less sunnier climes, you may need more.
The best and most resourceful idea is to get yourself a deep cycle battery (or two or three) so that you can charge up when the sun’s out and an inverter so that you can plug right in and utilize the solar power you’ve collected whenever you need it, even if it’s dark or raining out.
Be sure, however, that either your batteries or your RV solar panel have a charging controller that will meter the charging process and shut it down before you overcharge your batteries. Barring that, an additional battery charge meter is invaluable. Without one, you risk prematurely reducing the lifespan of your RV solar panel batteries.
When you install the panel RV solar, tilt it upwards so that you can catch the most sun during its peak hours (11am-3pm) when it’s highest in the sky. Do also take care to keep in mind the new height of your RV now that it’s got an RV solar panel on top of it. The last thing you want to do is smack that into a low underpass, right?
Solar power can save you a lot of bucks and it really looks cool! Visit our
Solar Guide for ideas to save money on your energy bills.
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RV Freedom With Solar Panels

If you RV, you undoubtedly like the freedom of cruising around where you will. Sooner or later, however, you have to find somewhere to plug in…or do you?
The beauty of RVing is you get to wander off the beaten path and explore interesting areas. That being said, nothing is worse than being in a beautiful area where there is no place to plug in. For many people, this means cranking on a generator that sucks down the fuel. Given fuel costs these days, that is becoming less and less a good option. In fact, many people are moving away from it entirely.
Technology seems to be invading just about every part of our life for better or for worse. In the case of portable solar panels, it for the better. Vast advancements have been made in solar panel design. No longer are they used solely for homes. Yep, you can now use them to power up your RV.
Portable solar panels for an RV are pretty much what you might think. They are just like the panels you see in peoples’ backyards or on their roofs. The primary difference is these are smaller, but still pack plenty of punch to meet your energy needs. Even better, one of the weaknesses of home solar panels does not exist with an RV. Solar panels produce DC electricity that has to be converted to AC for a home. Energy is lost in the process. Since an RV runs on DC, the problem is eliminated and you get more kick out of your panels.
A portable panel system can be very powerful. In fact, it can put as much power into your batteries as a gas or propane generator. Another advantage is your solar panel system will not make the noise of a generator. On the downside, it also does not produce energy at night, so you need to do some minor planning for your energy needs.
Using solar panels for an RV is a fairly simple process. You need between one and three of them. You can try to figure out your energy usage to determine the correct number, but it is easier to just ask the dealer. Anyway, you mount your panels on the roof. They fold down flat to the roof when you are driving. When you park, you should park in the sun and in a direction where the panels will get the maximum exposure. If you prefer to park in the shade, you can buy a portable system that you can move around on the ground. Make sure you have a long cord in case the sun is a bit off in the distance.
The energy from your solar panels should be able to keep your batteries charged so long as there is sun. The only issue you may run into is air conditioning. RV air conditioners suck the power down, so use it sparingly or turn on a generator.
Adrien White is with
RVRentalsforYou.com - information on RV rentals, dealers, parks and more.
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What is RV Solar Power

RV solar power is for those who are on the go. If you are a regular traveler then you will love RV solar power. Imagine you never having to stop to recharge. Read on..
RV road trips can be a lot of fun. You have your whole family, or all your friends, and you’re headed to wherever you’re going in a completely self-sufficient vehicle stocked with everything you need to eliminate stops.
Completely Stocked For Everyone’s Needs
You have a bathroom, a kitchen, and even a TV or two. Many RVs now have many other electronics that make riding in one much like moving in a celebrity tour bus; all your needs are taken care of. However, with all of these added perks comes the need for more electricity, which means you have to stop every now and again to recharge.
As you use all of your electronics, such as your TV, your stove to cook or even a hair dryer if someone is getting ready for the day, it all takes juice. Wouldn’t it be great if you could power your RV with the natural rays of the sun?
That’s right, you can now get your RV outfitted with
RV solar power panels. RV solar power panels absorb the natural rays of the sun, that will beat down on your RV during the day, and then it will power it at night. This will completely eliminate the need for stops to recharge. You will constantly have enough juice for all your electric needs and you got it all with RV solar power.
Ask your RV dealer if you can get RV solar power installed on your model. If you don’t yet have an RV and you’re in the market to get one, ask the dealer if you can get RV solar power for the RV you’d like to purchase or lease.
Just understand that you’ll likely pay a little extra, as RV solar power is a perk. It saves you time and money and, therefore, as with anything, you must pay extra for it.
However, no matter what you pay for it, it will come back to you many times over as you travel to and from various destinations. You can eliminate stopping for recharging and you can spend more time at your destinations instead of traveling to and from them.
RV solar power should be on every RV and soon it will. If your’s doesn’t, or if you’d like to inquire about one that does, call your local RV dealer and ask about RV solar power.
Visit
http://www.usesolarpower.net for useful tips on how to use solar power as your source of energy for different needs.
Article Source:
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RV Solar Panels - How To Get Started

RV Solar Panels - How to Get Started
The functionality of solar power is still a new concept to many RVers. Many believe that solar power systems are not practical or that the systems are too complex and expensive. After one experiences solar power generation, many agree that it is one of the most useful tools to come around in a long time.
The creation of solar power is pretty simple. Solar panels convert light from the sun into energy. The process is known as “photovoltaic process”. The word Photovoltaic is a combination of the Greek word for Light and the name of the physicist Allesandro Volta.
95% of all solar cells are made up of the semiconductor silicone (SI). As light hits the cells, the semiconductor absorbs the light and electrons on the semiconductor are excited creating an electrical reaction in the form of a DC charge. The DC current can then be used immediately or routed to batteries for storage.
Setting Up An RV Solar Panel System.
The components needed to set up an RV solar panel system are:

• A Solar panel
• A Charge Controller
• A Storage Battery
• And an Inverter

Multiple solar panels can be wired together to generate enough power for the needed output. The most important factor when choosing the right panels is the semiconductor material. Crystalline panels produce power more efficiently and have a longer life span than other semiconductor materials.
A charge controller is another piece of equipment needed. The charge controller monitors the batteries and when current is needed, it is supplied in the right amount. The controllers voltage regulation is needed to ensure the batteries are not damaged by excessive voltage. 12v solar panels can produce voltages up to 19-21 volts depending on the amount of sunlight. Charge controllers are rated in amps. This is the total amount of current is can regulate.
Where To Store The Power For Later Use.
The energy produced by solar panels is normally stored in “Deep Cell” batteries for future use. Deep cell batteries are the favored choice due to the fact that they are designed to be discharged and recharged over and over again.
The amount of power need determines that amount of batteries needed. Batteries are rated in amp hours. For example, a 1 amp hour battery will provide 1 amp of current for 1 hour. Two 150 amp hour batteries in parallel would total 300 amp hours and would provide 10 amps of power for 30 hours. To determine how much power is needed, Add up the total current draw of all the loads on your RV.
The lights in your RV are typically DC and can be operated from the storage battery But most appliances run on AC power. In most cases you will need an inverter. An inverter converts DC power into standard AC current.
Inverters usually come in two types, “True Sine Wave” and “Modified Sine Wave”. Modified sine wave inverters are usually cheaper and can be used to power basic ac power devices.
True sine wave inverters are best for sensitive electronic equipment such as laptop computers, etc. Inverters are rated based on how much power they can supply.
Connecting Solar Panels Together.
Solar panels can be connected together to obtain a higher voltage or power capacity. Connecting two 12volts 5amp panels together in series would give you 24volts 5amps. Connecting two panels in parallel would yield 12volts 10amps. The same is true for batteries.
The panels are then connected to the charge controller. The controller then connects to the batteries. And then the batteries would connect to the inverter. The inverter can then be connected to route AC power to the RV’s electrical outlets.
So there you have it. RV solar panels are great for dry camping or on the go. Solar power is clean, reliable, and the most cost effective means of keeping your batteries charged and the lights on.
Author: Steve Vox
http://www.stevevox.com
RV Solar Power:
http://www.stevevox.com/getting-started-with-rv-solar-panels.html
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RV Solar Panels

RV Solar Panels
No matter what you are planning on doing, there is probably a solar system available to help you generate power. On increasingly popular choice is RV solar panels, which can help you run these large vehicles off the power of the sun. If you are interested in helping to save money as well as help the environment, you should research your options for what kind of RV solar panels are available.
RV solar panels are a component of an electrical system which converts light from the sun to electricity. This electricity is used to charge the RV batteries and are capable of running all the basics in your RV, including the lighting and appliances. On great advantage of using RV solar panels is that you can travel to a wider variety of locations. No longer will you have to worry about finding a source of power for your vehicles when you travel. As long as the sun is shining, you will be taking your power with you.
Thousands of companies in countries around the world now offer different RV solar panels for your convenience. When you decide to make the purchase, spend time researching which options are available to you so you can buy the best system and the lowest possible price.
Alpine Survival
Alpine Survival is one of the top choices for people looking to purchase RV solar panels. The RV solar panels that they sell are durable, lightweight, and easy to transport. One of the benefits of these and other top of the line solar panels is that they continue to generate electricity even if they are in partial shade.
Even the clumsy need not worry about the durability of Alpine Survival RV solar panels. You can pack them up and transport them without worrying about breaking them. They are so durable that it has been reported that dropping them and stepping on them still does not cause them to be ruined (although I would not recommend trying)! These RV solar panels have a unique design with lightweight construction and a nylon fabric covering which allows the entire unit to be folded into the size of a book. This makes them perfect to store and transport.
Mr. Solar
Another brand to consider when purchasing RV solar panels is Mr. Solar. They sell many of the most high efficiency brand names and kits, including such reliable names as Sharp, Sanyo, Photowatt, Mitsubishi, BP, GE, and more. This selection of RV solar panels and kits will ensure that you can find the exact one you want for your RV.
If you love to travel, RV solar panels are the perfect option. Your trips will be more convenient because you will no longer have to base your destination on where you can find a power source. Not only that, but you will save money by reducing your use of a traditional gas generator. With rising fuel prices, RV solar panels make practical sense for any traveler.
Jon Kelly is a published author who writes articles and reviews on solar power and its applications. If you would like to find out about
solar power and learn more about solar panels.please visit: http://www.worldsolarpanels.com
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