| Solar power systems are a great addition to | | | | These batteries are also low-maintenance because |
| recreational vehicles that are used for any length of | | | | the electrolyte does not require regular topping up. |
| time in remote areas. They are relatively simple to | | | | AGM and gel batteries must be charged with care, |
| install and if well maintained can provide years of clean, | | | | however, and it is especially important to avoid |
| reliable electrical power without having to resort to the | | | | overcharging. This is the job of the regulator or charge |
| use of noisy generators which produce pollutants and | | | | controller. |
| greenhouse gases. | | | | Regulators control the charging voltage supplied to the |
| Most RV solar power systems of any size will require | | | | batteries, ensuring that it is high enough to maintain a |
| three or four basic components: solar panels, batteries, | | | | good state of charge without overcharging. |
| regulator (charge controller) and inverter. The solar | | | | Overcharging is a problem as water in the electrolyte |
| panels are the source of electrical energy, which is | | | | is boiled off, making the sulphuric acid stronger and |
| converted directly from sunlight by the silicon cells in | | | | decreasing battery life, but also creating explosive |
| the panels. Batteries store this electrical energy and | | | | hydrogen gas. It is therefore important that batteries |
| make it available for use at any time of the day or | | | | are always well ventilated. A wide range of regulators |
| night. A regulator is required to maintain the batteries in | | | | is available, with the more advanced models providing |
| a good state of charge and to prevent harmful | | | | multiple charging modes (boost, float and equalisation) |
| overcharging. An inverter is necessary if only if mains | | | | and features such as programmability and data logging. |
| voltage AC power is required. | | | | While it is possible to source 12 volt DC versions of |
| Solar panels are manufactured in three basic forms: | | | | most appliances, there is a growing trend towards the |
| monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous. These | | | | use of inverters, which make it possible to use |
| terms refer to the type of silicon cells used. While | | | | standard mains voltage appliances with the solar |
| monocrystalline panels are typically the most efficient, | | | | power system. Typically, a greater range of standard |
| there are good reasons to consider amorphous panels | | | | appliances is available, at a lower cost, and standard |
| as they are much more tolerant of heat and shading | | | | plugs and fittings can also be used. The efficiency of |
| than other panels, and they are also more robust. The | | | | many inverters is now over 90%, meaning that they |
| only drawback associated with amorphous panels is | | | | can be used with little overall efficiency penalty. |
| that a larger area of panels is required for the same | | | | RV solar power systems are flexible and can be |
| energy output. | | | | configured in many ways. The solar system batteries |
| While many types of batteries are available, the most | | | | (or "house" batteries) can be configured in parallel with |
| practical and cost effective solution remains the tried | | | | the vehicle battery to allow the vehicle alternator to |
| and proven lead-acid battery. In a recreational vehicle, | | | | charge them while the on the road. Other |
| sealed AGM (absorbent glass mat) or gelled | | | | configurations allow parallel batteries to run power |
| electrolyte batteries are a good choice as they cannot | | | | hungry devices such as winches, and solar panels to |
| spill electrolyte (sulphuric acid) and can even be | | | | charge the vehicle starting battery when necessary. |
| mounted on their side or upside down if necessary. | | | | |