10 Best Solar Panels for RV Battery Charging in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks
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Pete Ortiz - Last updated:
If you’re looking to get off the grid, you need an RV battery charger to help you get there. But there are a ton of options to pick from, and the wrong one won’t give you the charge you need when you need it most.
It’s an important decision, which is why we took the time to track down 10 of the best options today. Not only that, but we came up with comprehensive reviews for each one, so you know exactly what you’re looking for.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Renogy 200-Watt Solar Panel Starter Kit |
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CHECK PRICE |
Best Value
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Newpowa Flexible Solar Panel |
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CHECK PRICE |
Premium Choice
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Zamp Solar Legacy Series |
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CHECK PRICE |
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Nature Power 50215 |
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CHECK PRICE |
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Go Power! GP-PSK-130 |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Solar Panels for RV Battery Charging
1. Renogy 200-Watt Solar Panel Starter Kit – Best Overall
Watts: | 200 |
Input Voltage: | 12 volts |
Dimensions: | 3” x 21.3” x 1.4” |
Weight: | 45 pounds |
If you’re looking for the best overall solar panels for RV battery charging, you’re not going to find a better brand and solar panel than the Renogy 200-watt solar panel starter kit. As the name implies, it comes with everything you need to start charging a battery.
It puts out a total of 200 watts, which is more than most systems, and it’s a great mix of price and quality. The system is easy to install and it’s efficient and durable, which are all big perks.
However, the system does come with two different solar panels to install, so you’ll need a little more space to unlock the full 200-watt system.
- 200-watt system
- Outstanding price and value
- Easy to install
- Durable
- Installation can be challenging
2. Newpowa Flexible Solar Panel – Best Value
Watts: | 100 |
Input Voltage: | 12 volts |
Dimensions: | 13” x 0.07” x 20.47” |
Weight: | 31 pounds |
When you’re looking for a solar panel to charge RV batteries but you don’t want to spend a ton of money, Newpowa Flexible Solar Panels are the way to go. They’re extremely affordable and lightweight, making it easy to take them from place to place.
They’re also IP68 waterproof so you don’t have to worry about what happens if it rains, and with a 5-year warranty, durability isn’t an issue with these solar panels. But they are budget solar panels for a reason.
First, it only includes the solar panel. You’ll still need an adapter and controller to really use it. Still, at this price, it’s not hard to see how it’s the best solar panel for RV battery charging for the money.
- Very affordable
- Flexible design
- Very lightweight
- IP68 waterproof
- 5-year warranty
- Only panel included
3. Zamp Solar Legacy Series – Premium Choice
Watts: | 140 |
Input Voltage: | 12 volts |
Dimensions: | 4″ 21.5″ 3.1″ |
Weight: | 9 pounds |
If you’re not worried about how much your new solar panels for RV batteries are going to cost, then the Zamp Solar Legacy Series is the way to go. It’s certainly a more expensive option, but it also has the higher performance and durability to help justify the cost.
First, it’s an extremely portable design that folds down compactly for easy transportation in your RV. And since it’s so portable, you can easily move it at the site to get maximum exposure to the sun.
The system is easy to use, although it is heavier. It’s a great choice overall, though, just be ready to spend a little more on it.
- You don’t need to mount it
- Portable design
- Higher wattage
- Very easy to use
- Expensive option
- Heavier design
4. Nature Power 50215
Watts: | 215 |
Input Voltage: | 12 volts |
Dimensions: | 29” x 64” x 3” |
Weight: | 30 pounds |
The Nature Power 50215 didn’t crack our top three, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an excellent option for you to consider. With 215 watts, it’s one of the most powerful options on our list, especially considering it’s a single solar panel.
Another perk is that it uses a plug-n-play design so it’s easy to set up and use. Moreover, it’s durable, so you don’t have to worry about replacing it any time soon. All-in-all it’s a great combination of price and quality, which is why it more than earns its spot on our list.
However, while it’s a great option, there’s a reason it didn’t crack our top three. First, it’s a bit more expensive than our top choice. This is especially true when you consider that it doesn’t include a charge controller or a battery.
Still, it does provide a bit more wattage, so if you need the extra power and can afford to spend a little more, this might be the best choice for you.
- Higher wattage
- A great mix of price and quality
- Plug-n-play design
- Durable
- Expensive
- It does not include a charge controller or battery
5. Go Power! GP-PSK-130
Watts: | 130 |
Input Voltage: | 12 volts |
Dimensions: | 48” x 2.76” x 19.88” |
Weight: | 7 pounds |
The Go Power! GP-PSK_130 is another portable solar panel option you have. It pushes 130 watts of power, and at 28.7 pounds it’s relatively lightweight. There are multiple connectivity options that open your options.
Overall, it’s extremely durable, and nothing highlights this quite like the 25-year warranty on the plug adapter. But if you’re worried about keeping it in tip-top shape, the included carrying case makes it easy to take from place to place and safely store.
Still, it’s a more expensive option, especially considering it only comes with the solar panels. It’s a great choice, but you need to ensure you take the time to get everything you need to make it work.
- Portable design
- 25-year warranty on the plug adapter
- Includes a carrying case
- Multiple connectivity options
- More expensive
- Panels only
6. Renogy Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Watts: | 100 |
Input Voltage: | 12 or 24 volts |
Dimensions: | 9” x 21” x 0.08” |
Weight: | 8 pounds |
The Renogy Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel is another solar panel option for your RV. This kit comes with a panel and a controller, but it’s still not everything you need to make it work.
The flexible design makes it easy to find a place to install it, and overall, the installation process is pretty simple. It’s also a durable option so you won’t have to replace it any time soon. It’s extremely affordable, even if it is a lower-wattage option.
But for smaller batteries, this solar panel is all you need to enjoy plenty of time off the grid while you’re traveling in your RV.
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- It includes a panel and a controller
- Very easy to install
- Extremely durable
- You still need additional components
- Lower wattage
7. 8x100W AcoPower Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit
Watts: | 800 |
Input Voltage: | 12 or 24 volts |
Dimensions: | 44” x 22” x 28” |
Weight: | 8 pounds |
This AcuPower Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit is actually eight different solar panels. This gives you more than enough power to charge up any batteries you might have for extended time off the grid.
It’s easy to install overall, though, just be ready for all eight panels. Each panel is extremely durable and comes with a 25-year warranty on the power output side of things, and every other part of the kit comes with a 1-year warranty.
The panels are extremely effective and will do everything you need day after day and year after year. Just know that getting eight different panels certainly jacks up the cost quite a bit, but it does give you 800 watts of power.
- Complete kit
- Easy to install
- 25-year warranty on power output
- 1-year warranty on all other components
- Very effective
- Eight different solar panels to install
- Very expensive
8. SunPower 110 Watt
Watts: | 110 |
Input Voltage: | 12 volts |
Dimensions: | 9” x 21.9” x 0.8” |
Weight: | 4 pounds |
If you want a solar panel with a great warranty, the SunPower 110 Watt solar panel is an outstanding choice. It comes with a 5-year power warranty, and every other component in the solar panels comes with a 2-year warranty.
It’s a lightweight and portable solar panel that’s easy to store between uses. Even better, it’s available for a great price. Still, even with all these perks, it fell too close to the bottom of our list for a reason. And it all comes down to its effectiveness and power output.
It’s a great choice, but don’t expect it to keep up with a ton of batteries at the same time!
- 5-year power warranty
- 2-year product warranty
- Easy to store
- Lightweight and portable design
- Affordably priced
- Not the most powerful
9. WindyNation 100 Watt
Watts: | 100 |
Input Voltage: | 12 volts |
Dimensions: | 40” x 1.38” x 26.4” |
Weight: | 19 pounds |
The WindyNation 100 Watt solar panel is yet another solar panel option you have to charge RV batteries. It’s a complete kit that’s easy to install, and it even comes with 40 feet of cable for tons of options when you’re finding somewhere to install it.
Overall, the kit can give you 33-amp hours of charge each day in normal conditions. This isn’t a ton of power, but it’s more than enough for a single battery. At 100 watts it’s a lower-wattage option. Still, while it’s affordable and easy to use, it’s not the most durable option out there.
- Complete kit
- Easy to install
- 40 feet of cable
- 33-amp hours charge per day
- Lower wattage
- Not the most durable
10. HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Polycrystalline Solar Panel Kit
Watts: | 100 |
Input Voltage: | 12 or 24 volts |
Dimensions: | 6” x 25.9” x 1.2” |
Weight: | 65 pounds |
The HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Polycrystalline Solar Panel Kit might be the last solar panel option on our list, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great choice. This kit beat out a lot of other options to make our list, and it all starts with the fact it comes from a reliable company.
The kit comes with everything you need to install and use it, and it’s also lightweight. As a complete kit, it’s well worth it, but just know you’re getting a lower-wattage option with a bulkier design.
You can do far worse than this kit, but if you pick an option from farther up the list, you can do a little better, too.
- A complete kit
- Easy to install
- Reliable company
- Lightweight design
- Lower wattage
- Bulkier design
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Solar Panels for RV Battery Charging
With so many great solar panel options out there, it can be challenging to try to narrow it down to just one. We understand, and that’s why we came up with this buyer’s guide to help you break down everything you need to know to pick out the perfect solar panels for your RV the first time.
How Much Power Do You Need?
It really depends on how much power you’re using. For a typical 12-volt battery, a 100-watt solar panel is typically all you need. But if you’re looking to charge multiple batteries or you don’t get ideal sun conditions, you might need a more powerful solar panel.
As a rule of thumb, don’t get anything smaller than a 100-watt solar panel, but you can’t go wrong with a larger panel.
Portable vs Mountable Solar Panels
If you’re looking to charge RV batteries, there are two main types of solar panels you need to consider. First, there are mountable solar panels that you can put on top of the RV. The advantage of these solar panels is that they’re always in place and all you need to do is plug them into the battery when it’s time to charge.
The other option is portable solar panels. You need to pull these out when you want to use them, but that allows you to set them up exactly how you want them for the most possible sun exposure at each location. However, you’ll also need to set them up each time, and you’ll need to find somewhere inside the RV to store them as you travel from place to place.
Conclusion
If you still can’t figure out which solar panels are right for you after reading the reviews and the buyer’s guide, don’t overthink it. There’s a reason the Renogy 200-Watt Solar Panel Starter Kit is our top choice, as it expertly combines cost and performance.
Of course, if it’s still a little out of your price range the Newpowa Flexible Solar Panels is a great choice at a lower price. No matter what option you choose, simply having one with your RV will open up a ton of options for you!
Featured Image Credit: Voyagerix, Shutterstock
Contents
- 1 A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
- 2 The 10 Best Solar Panels for RV Battery Charging
- 2.1 1. Renogy 200-Watt Solar Panel Starter Kit – Best Overall
- 2.2 2. Newpowa Flexible Solar Panel – Best Value
- 2.3 3. Zamp Solar Legacy Series – Premium Choice
- 2.4 4. Nature Power 50215
- 2.5 5. Go Power! GP-PSK-130
- 2.6 6. Renogy Flexible Monocrystalline Solar Panel
- 2.7 7. 8x100W AcoPower Monocrystalline Solar Panel Kit
- 2.8 8. SunPower 110 Watt
- 2.9 9. WindyNation 100 Watt
- 2.10 10. HQST 100 Watt 12 Volt Polycrystalline Solar Panel Kit
- 3 Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Solar Panels for RV Battery Charging
- 4 Conclusion