Finding RV Solar Installers Near You
Feb 7th 2023
Recreational vehicles have come a long way in the last few years. They're getting lighter, more comfortable inside, and more practical. You can pick one out for any use you can imagine. There are RVs geared towards constant traveling, long-term living in a single location, off-roading, boondocking- you name it.
Something that makes any use more enjoyable and better is getting an RV solar system installed. Solar energy has made leaps and bounds lately and is uniquely set up to deal with the requirements of modern RVs.
With a good system, you can be set to boondock for extended periods or off the grid. A small system is perfect for maintaining the batteries on your rig, ensuring you never have to worry about them.
Some RVs come with solar preinstalled from the factory (for a hefty upcharge, of course). But what if your rig doesn't have that option? Or perhaps you bought it used, or your primary usage for the RV changed. Now what? Are you out of luck? Are you stuck with using a little portable system that takes time to set up every time you want to use it?
There are many options for solar systems designed to suit your needs. We frequently discuss them in our other blogs. Check them out here.
This blog is about how to find solar installers for your RV, what to look for, as well as whom to steer clear of.
How to find a solar installer near you?
If you're in the lower 48 states, finding a reputable RV solar installer shouldn't be too hard. You’ve probably already Googled some variation of "RV solar installation near me" and been swamped with the sheer volume of results. It seems everyone wants to dip their hands into this cookie jar,which might be how you’ve ended up here. Your search will yield dozens of good (and bad) options, you just need to use a little common sense and research to deduce which ones are good.
Joining RV groups on Reddit or Facebook can be a great way to find reputable installers. You can get honest reviews and opinions from unbiased people who have already experienced the pros and cons.
Some residential solar installation companies also have experience doing solar installatiions. Reaching out to some local ones is an easy way to cross possibilities off your list.
If an internet search for an "RV solar install near me" doesn't give you the results you're hoping for, you can always reach out to a mobile RV solar installer willing to come to your location. If you stay in an RV park, be sure to check with the park managers before booking a major upgrade, like a solar installer.
Can you install a solar system yourself?
If you have some good DIY can-do spirit, you might consider installing a full solar system or even a partial installation yourself. Meaning you had someone like an RV shop installer install the physical panels you supplied, so you're covered for leaks under their warranty. Now you're going to handle the rest of the installation yourself, i.e., mounting, wiring, installing the inverter and charge controller, etc.
We always encourage people with a DIY spirit to take on the challenge themselves. In fact, we have many articles in our blog and guides in our learning center designed to help walk you through the whole process, from planning to turning on the charge controller for the first time.
We have even created solar panel kits to make installing a solar system on your RV easier and more affordable.
Decide who to install your RV solar system
Something to keep in mind with your solar installation for your RV is that solar installers will likely be drilling holes or driving screws into your roof and other parts of your rig. You don't want to hire just any Tom, Dick, or Harry to handle the installation, or you can end up with water leaks, broken equipment, damage to your RV, or worse, electrical fires from improperly installed equipment (we've all seen some of the quality the RV industry has been putting out lately).
That is why going straight to the local RV dealership for the installation might not be the best plan.
Those workers typically receive minimal training and are expected to handle so many different tasks while working on RVs that they simply can't dedicate the time necessary to become experts on any one thing. Electricians spend 2-4 years in school learning proper techniques and electrical safety. An RV tech doesn't have the same luxury (or license requirements).
Solar power system involves a number of different electrical components (Learn more here: What are the Main components of a Solar power system). It's best to have someone experienced with electrical and RVs handle both the physical installation of components like the panels, and the electrical side.
As we mentioned above, you can always have an RV shop install exterior components so that you're covered under their warranty for damage and leaks. Then have an electrical contractor or solar contractor handle the installation of the rest of the components. That way, the electrical side is being handled by true experts. They'll do all of the wire size and amperage calculations for you according to the National Electrical Code if you ask them to.
Ready to take the next step?
Outfitting solar install for your RV is a great investment for anyone. It's just up to you how you go about it. You'll save money when you're at parks that meter your power, open up so many possibilities for boondocking, and make taking care of your battery levels painless. Plus, you'll be making the world a greener place.
If you're considering handling the RV solar installation yourself, we highly recommend heading over to our learning center. We've spent years developing how-to articles to help people like you learn more about all aspects of solar. We cover everything from basic solar theory to installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance, for example, how to build your own off grid solar system.
Last, you can find the monocrystalline solar panels, off grid solar kits, charge controllers, inverters, and other wiring accessories you need at renogy to set up a high-efficiency solar panel system. We've been working hard to solve our customers' problems. Please feel free to contact us!
Related articles:
The Ultimate Guide To DIY Off-Grid Solar Systems
Building An Off-Grid Solar System With Your Child To Fight Climate Anxiety
How To Build An Off-Grid Solar System
