RV Solar Installation
Step 1
Estimate your daily energy use
Enter how long you use each device in a typical day away from hookups. The wattages are starting examples; replace them with your equipment’s measured or documented power use.
Total: 0 Wh/day
| Device | Power Example valuesUse input watts, not an appliance’s output rating. | Unit | Run time | Daily energy (Wh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee PotNeeds an inverter when powered by the battery. |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| MicrowaveNeeds an inverter when powered by the battery. |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| Air ConditionerNeeds an inverter when powered by the battery. |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| RV Furnace |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| Exhaust Fan(s) |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| Laptop |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| Water Pump |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| TV |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| Interior Lights |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| Exterior Lights |
(watts)
|
0 | ||
| Uses average watts over 24 hours. Set watts to measured daily Wh divided by 24 when available. |
(watts)
|
0 |
Step 2
Compare battery capacity and daily charging
Choose a 12V battery bank, solar array size, and generator run time to compare with your daily energy estimate. These are planning scenarios, not a final system design.
Battery bank
Ah
Modeled capacity at 12V: 4800 Wh
Solar array
W
Modeled solar charging: 0 Wh/day
Fixed example: 3.5 peak sun hours and 85% output factor. Location, season, shade, and weather change the result.
Generator charging
Modeled charging: 0 Wh/day Fixed example: 1,150W into the battery while running. Your charger, battery limits, and other loads affect actual charging.Lithium: full-capacity model
Add daily use aboveUses all modeled capacity with no reserve. Actual usable energy depends on the battery and its settings.
Add daily use aboveUses all modeled capacity with no reserve. Actual usable energy depends on the battery and its settings.
Lead-acid: 50% capacity model
Add daily use aboveUses half of modeled capacity as a planning assumption. Follow the battery manufacturer’s discharge limits.
Add daily use aboveUses half of modeled capacity as a planning assumption. Follow the battery manufacturer’s discharge limits.
Your daily energy estimate
0 Wh/day
0 Wh/day
Days shown estimate how long a full bank could cover the daily energy shortfall after modeled charging. The calculation does not account for inverter losses, battery aging, charging schedules, or extra reserve. A daily energy balance does not prove there is enough storage overnight or enough power to start and run every appliance. Check inverter, wiring, protection, and charging limits separately.