The Sun as a Supplemental Power Source

With the summer upon us, there are times you're looking for an escape from the sun and heat. But before you head for the shadiest spot, consider what that sunshine could do for you.

Companies now manufacture solar panels that are compact, lightweight, and easy to set up. They can power your television, lights, a laptop computer, even the microwave! The solar panels convert sunlight to electricity, which is stored in batteries and then used to power your appliances. Different appliances require different amounts of power'how much you'll need is determined by the appliances and the length of time you'll use them. A fluorescent light bulb used for 10 minutes will hardly make a dent in your stored energy. On the other hand, using the microwave for 30 minutes could seriously deplete your electric reserves!

Solar systems can include all sorts of fancy monitors and gauges, but a basic system would include one (or more) solar panels, wiring, a controller to keep the electricity flowing evenly, and one (or more) batteries to store the power generated by the panels. What you're doing is "filling up" the batteries with power when the sun shines, and then drawing on that power as needed.

Batteries discharge power as Direct Current, or DC. Most appliances prefer AC, or Alternating Current power, although there are plenty of items available for the RV market that will take direct DC power. If you want to use something that requires AC power, though, you'll need an inverter. This changes the DC power to AC. Do not skip this step! If you supply DC power to an AC appliance, you're likely to ruin it at the very least, and potentially cause serious damage to your RV or yourself.

Solar panels can be mounted to the roof of your RV, further shading the interior of your rig and reducing your cooling costs. Each panel will supply a certain amount of power, measured in watts. That wattage is then transferred to the batteries, where it is stored until needed. A variety of factors influence the amount of power your solar panels will generate, including the type, size and number of panels, air pollution and dust, amount of shade, elevation and angle of the solar panels, proper wiring, and more.

How much one or more solar panels can enhance your RV lifestyle depends on many factors, but if you enjoy "boondocking", or camping where there are limited hookups, a solar energy system can lengthen the time you get to enjoy the great outdoors. Another large factor is how much you can conserve energy. If you like to leave appliances plugged in so they're ready to go "just in case" you need them, solar panels won't make a huge difference in your camping style. But if you're comfortable converting to energy-efficient items and keeping things completely off until you want to use them, you'll reap the benefits of solar power.

And remember, solar panels have no moving parts, besides the little electrons that start dancing around when the sun hits them. They'll last for decades unless something untoward damages them. Many of the solar panels manufactured in the eighties and even the seventies are still going strong today. However, the efficiency of solar panels is rising all the time, so buying today's models will give you more bang for your buck.

Check out a few solar RV systems on the Internet or at an RV dealer near you. Ask questions, and get a good understanding of the benefits as well as the limitations of a solar system for your RV. You'll find the prices have dropped quite a bit the past few years, while the technology has made them lighter and more efficient. Some of the panels are flexible enough to roll up for storage!

You may find that you can enjoy the road longer, with much lower energy cost!