Solar
RV Solar Calculator
RV solar sizing starts with the sum of each load's watts multiplied by daily hours. That energy budget determines the array, battery storage, and controller-current planning values.
Estimate an RV solar array, battery storage, bank amp-hours, and controller current from an editable list of travel loads.
Calculated result
RV solar system estimate
Calculating…
Calculated locally in your browser
Planning math only. Verify equipment specifications and installation requirements separately.
Equipment planning
Components that meet these requirements
The specification is calculated from the result above. Product links appear only when an enabled catalog entry meets every displayed requirement.
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Calculate above to generate a parts requirement.
Cable, fuse, breaker, disconnect, mounting, grounding, and code requirements need separate equipment and installation review.
Layer B · economics
Economics estimate
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State averages are editable prefills, not utility tariffs. This section is not tax, financial, or investment advice.
Data provenance: NLR PVWatts v8 grid awaiting its first private-key refresh; the visible peak-sun-hours fallback is active. EIA residential state averages updated 2026-08-13. ZIP centroids use the 2025 Census Gazetteer. No ZIP or calculator input is sent to those sources. Read the solar data provenance and limitations.
What this calculator returns
RV presets are starting assumptions only. Check measured duty cycles, alternator or shore charging, roof space, mounting, and equipment documentation.
Formula and variables
The calculation runs entirely in your browser. Static formulas, definitions, examples, and tables remain readable without JavaScript.
Daily RV kWh = Σ(watts × hours × quantity)/1,000; array and storage follow the same retained-output and autonomy equations as off-grid solar.
- Eannual
- Annual electrical energy use or production, in kilowatt-hours.
- Parray
- Required or installed solar array nameplate power, in kilowatts DC.
- Y
- Estimated annual AC energy produced per installed kilowatt DC.
- PSH
- Peak sun hours per day from dated static data or the visible fallback input.
- f
- Visible orientation, shading, loss, reserve, or efficiency factor used by the selected tool.
Peak sun hours should reflect the trip region and season; all loads, reserve, losses, battery depth, and voltage are user assumptions.
Worked example
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| RV daily loads | See the example load list in the calculator |
| Trip peak sun hours | 4.5 h/day |
| Battery autonomy | 1.5 days |
| House-bank voltage | 12 V |
The default RV loads use about 1.05 kWh/day before losses, producing an editable array, battery, and controller estimate for travel planning.
Reference table
| Load | Planning watts | Daily-use example | Daily energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED lighting | 10 W/lamp | 5 h | 50 Wh/lamp |
| Laptop | 65 W | 3 h | 195 Wh |
| 12 V refrigerator | 60 W average input example | 12 h equivalent | 720 Wh |
| Water pump | 500 W | 1 h | 500 Wh |
Frequently asked questions
How should travel location affect peak sun hours?
Use a value appropriate to the trip region and season because solar availability changes with location, weather, and time of year.
Does the result include alternator or shore charging?
No. The solar and battery estimates do not automatically subtract energy supplied by an alternator, generator, or shore connection.
Should I use appliance nameplate watts?
Measured average energy is better for cycling appliances. The editable presets are nominal planning values, not claims about a specific RV model.
Assumptions and limitations
- Planning estimate only; not an RV electrical design or code-compliance determination.
- Travel weather, parking shade, roof obstructions, temperature, and alternator or shore input are not predicted.
- Verify mounting, batteries, protection, and wiring with qualified installers and manufacturers.
Method and sources
Review the solar data sources, calculation methodology, and electrical formulas for the references most relevant to this calculation. The broader technical sources index records source scope and verification. Last reviewed .