How many 200W solar panels you need to set up an off-grid system for your RV?

1. Estimate Daily Energy Usage

First, estimate how much power you'll use each day. For an off-grid RV, the typical daily energy consumption can range from 4 to 8 kWh depending on your usage (e.g., lights, fridge, laptop, TV, AC, etc.).

2. How Much Power Does a 200W Solar Panel Produce?

• A 200W solar panel produces around 1 kWh per day in good sunlight (assuming about 5 hours of full sunlight per day).

3. Calculate the Number of Panels Needed

If you're aiming for 6 kWh/day of usage, here's how many panels you would need:

$$\frac{6 \text{ kWh/day}}{1 \text{ kWh per 200W panel}} = 6 \text{ panels}$$

If your daily usage is higher, say 8 kWh/day, you'd need:

$$\frac{8 \text{ kWh/day}}{1 \text{ kWh per 200W panel}} = 8 \text{ panels}$$

4. Consider Battery Storage (Optional)

If you want to be truly off-grid, you'll also need a battery system to store the energy for nighttime or cloudy days. The size of the battery bank will depend on how much energy you want to store and how long you want to go without sunlight.

Example Setup for Off-Grid RV:

• Panels: 6-8 panels of 200W each (depending on your energy usage)
• Batteries: 12V or 24V batteries (200Ah or higher depending on how much energy you want to store)
• Inverter: A 1500W-3000W pure sine wave inverter for your AC appliances