Best RV Portable Solar Kits: Reviewed for 2023
Having solar with your RV is a great way to extend the length of your travel trailer trips. Many campers come solar-ready with ports on the side, but many do not. Additionally, users may not want to install solar permanently on the roof of their RV, but may opt for a portable kit that requires little to no installation.
These kits offer the same power capabilities, they just have to be set out prior to use. For the purposes of this review, we are going to stick to 100-watt models as they are what most people need to keep charged up. If you are a heavier user, or are staying a longer amount of time, you can always add more panels. We have found the Renogy 100 watt briefcase to be our top pick.
Our Top Pick
The Renogy 100 watt briefcase makes our top pick for many reasons. The first, is that it is priced competitively. the solar controller is built to take more wattage for upgrading down the road, it comes with all of the parts, and Renogy has been a good performer.
Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Runner Up
The Go Power! GP-PSK 120 makes our runner up list. This solar kit is one of the best on the market, but when you compare features to our top pick, the price moves it to the runner up. This kit is a 120 watt, so you will get a bit more power than our other recommendations.
Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Budget Pick
Being our budget pick, the HQST 100 watt is one panel that is great for a starter that will not need to upgrade down the road. This kit will work great if you only ever need 100 watts, as it does not come with a larger charge controller to handle more wattage. Other than that, it is a great buy.
Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Everything we Recommend
Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why you should trust us?
We spent hours and hours over several months researching solar kits and determining their price to value. We ended up with the Renogy pick at the end of the day, and have been very happy. The kit came with good directions, and all the parts needed for installation (besides tools of course).
Who needs this product?
If you are a camper that goes off-grid from time to time, this is a product you may want to have. If you are not using enough power to get a generator, this can be a good substitute.
These kits are also for those who don’t want to drill into the roof of their RV and run wires to install a rooftop mounted solar kit. This is simply put it out, plug it in, and you are good to go.
How we picked?
The wattage on a solar kit will tell you how much charge you will get and how fast. The more watts, the more charge. We stayed in the 100-watt range with our picks with one being 120 watts, but you can typically add as many panels as your charge controller can handle.
Panel type is important, there are monocrystalline panels as well as poly panels. Mono panels are of higher quality and are more efficient.
The charge controller is what puts the solar energy into your batteries. The amperage that can handle determines how many panels you can have. Typically a panel puts out about 7 amps in full sun, so if you have a 10 amp controller, you will only be able to use 1 panel. If you have a 20 amp, you will be able to use up to two.
The construction of portable kits is important. These will tend to get thrown around over bumps as well as tripped over and possibly damaged. The kids we have chosen are made of aluminum support and have good strong reinforced corners, so they will stand up to the test.
How we tested it?
We have used our unit for a year now and have logged the wattage it provides on the charge controller, and it provides good charging power. We have used our kit as a substitute for a generator several times.
Our Pick
Our top pick, the Renogy 100 watt briefcase is our top pick for many reasons. Renogy has done a great job at becoming one of the leaders in the solar industry for off grid operations.
They offer quality items at fair costs as compared to other brands. This model makes our favorite as it comes in a small form factor suitcase with a built in charge controller.
The charge controller is one item that makes this one of our top picks due to it being a 20 amp capacity versus a 10 amp in our other two models. This will allow you to attach an additional solar panel to squeeze more charging capability out of your system.
The whole package comes in at 26.6 pounds including the two 50 watt folding panels, the PWM charge controller that has a digital display to show you the charging stats, aluminum stand, and a 10′ tray cable with alligator clips for easy connection.
All of this can be stored in its included storage case for safe and protected portability.
The 20 amp negative ground charge controller is truly a waterproof controller suitable to charge up to 7 different battery types including lithium-ion. This also is capable of charging your batteries in 5 stages to protect your batteries and keep them lasting longer.
Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Runner Up
The Go Power! GP-PSK 120 makes our runner up pick, not because it isn’t a good unit, its a great unit, but its price is a bit higher than our top pick. It does, however, have more wattage, so it could be worth the upcharge.
Go Power! is one of the top solar brands on the market and they have brand deals with travel trailer manufacturers to have included plug and play ports. This can be one reason to purchase a Go Power! as you can truly be plug and play.
This system is capable of producing 120 watts and charge your batteries up to 6.7 amps per hour. With the included 10 amp controller, you will have excess capacity, but not enough to add another panel. This kit includes a carrying kit, 15′ of cable, and has a 25 year warranty.
The panel is a monocrystalline type which is higher quality than poly panels. The panel frame has folding adjustable aluminum legs that help protect the panel. The weight is 33 pounds which is a bit heavier than the Renogy.
The charge controller is a PWM 4 stage charger and is capable of up to 190 watts or 10 amps. The controller is mounted on the back of the panels and can be used with vented, GEL, LiFePO4, or AGM batteries. We have not found that this controller is waterproof.
Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Budget Pick
On the budget side, the HQST 100 watt really shines. Its low price and ease of use make it an easy choice.
Just like the others, this includes 100-watt Monocrystalline panels, sturdy aluminum stands, a mounted charge controller, as well as a handy carrying case.
This controller is capable of charging at 10 amps and has a 9′ cable allowing you some room to move the panel around to find the best sun. The controller charges at 3 stages for the best battery life. There are the necessary protections like the others of overcharge, overload, and over-discharge functions.
The 10 amp controller will only allow you to use one panel, unlike the Renogy system.
Last update on 2024-11-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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