Best Portable Solar Panels for RV’s, Vans & Boats: The Complete Guide

By SSK Admin March 01, 2020

Best Portable solar panels for RV’s, Vans & Boats

Solar power is one of the best ways to provide electricity in remote situations. In the case of a mobile lifestyle, such as in an RV, Van, or Boat, having solar panels that can be easily transported and set up is essential for keeping your electronic devices powered.

Whereas it is true that many people will permanently install traditional rigid solar panels on top of their vehicles, in this article, we will be covering the best portable solar panels on the market. Of course, you will need more than just the panels to generate and use electricity, so we will also cover the best solar kits and generators to help power your adventures.

The Best Foldable Solar Panels RV’s, Vans & Boats

Foldable, portable solar panels are perfect for RV’s, vanlife, and boats because they are easy to set up and store, and do not require a sacrifice on power output.

The Renogy 100 Watt Eclipse Mono Solar Suitcase

The 100 Watt Eclipse Mono Solar Suitcase from Renogy is one of the best solar panels for RV use. The suitcase includes a 20 Amp Charge Controller and packs 100W of monocrystalline power into a convenient foldable suitcase that weighs just over twenty pounds. With the adjustable, corrosion resistant pop-up stand and a 25 year power output warranty, this mobile solar panel is guaranteed to deliver reliable portable solar power. Need a little bit more power? Consider the 200 Watt version.

The EcoFlow 110 Watt Foldable & Portable Solar Panel

Another great foldable, portable solar panel is the 110 Watt Panel from EcoFlow. Slightly more powerful, this compact mobile solar panel weighs only 8.8lbs! If you are planning to store the solar power for your van or boat in an EcoFlow solar generator, this panel is the perfect companion.

The Best Flexible Solar Panels for RV’s, Vans & Boats

If you’re looking for the best portable solar panels for your RV, you may want to consider flexible solar panels. Flexible, or bendable, solar panels are made to be mobile, but can also be easily installed for a more permanent mobile solar system.

Inergy Linx 100 Watt Flexible Solar Panel

The Linx 100 Watt flexible solar panel from Inergy is one of the best portable solar panels on the market. The panel is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and can be bent up to 30 degrees. So, if you are looking for a permanent mobile solar panel for the curved roof of your camper or the bow of your boat, this solar panel is perfect. Weighing in at just eight pounds, the panel can be easily removed and taken wherever solar power is needed. It is important to note that all cables are sold separately for this solar panel.

Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Flexible Mono Solar Panels

In addition to it’s foldable models, Renogy also manufactures a great, mobile solar panel in it’s flexible 100 watt model. The ultra-thin, lightweight Renogy flexible solar panel is an astounding one tenth of an inch tall and weighs around four pounds, making it perfect for stealth camping in a van. Boating a 21% cell efficiency and a 10 year 90% efficiency rate warranty, the Renogy 100 Watt flexible solar panel is one of the best mobile solar panels that doesn’t sacrifice performance for portability.

Feel free to check out 100 Watt Solar Panel Equals How Many AMPs

Completing Your Portable Solar Kit for RV’s, Vans & Boats

Once you’ve chosen the best mobile solar panels for your electricity demand, you will need a few more components to complete your mobile solar power system. Unless it is included with your solar panel purchase, you will need a charge controller, battery and inverter to store electricity and power your devices.

Most RV’s come with a battery and inverter preinstalled, so in the case of RV solar panels, you may not need to purchase any additional parts if your solar panels come with a charge controller attached. RV owners might be especially interested in our complete guide Solar Power System for RV.

If you are building your mobile solar panel system for a van or boat from scratch, you will need to purchase a charge controller, battery, and inverter.

Rather than sizing and sourcing the parts individually, you may want to consider a mobile solar power generator. Solar generators come with the charge controller, battery, and inverter built right into a totally portable system. Purchasing a complete solar panel kit with a solar generator is the easiest way to quickly obtain a truly mobile solar power system.

Also consider checking our guide how to build a solar panel system.

Find this article helpful? Then you might be interested in our next blog - How to Charge an RV Battery with a Solar Generator.

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