Ultimate RV Solar Calculator

Plan a complete RV solar + battery system—loads, battery bank, solar array, controller & inverter sizing, roof fit, wiring, and fusing. Built for real boondocking, not guesswork.

Pro tip: Start with a preset, then fine‑tune. The permalink updates as you edit—share with your installer or team.

Daily Use
0 Wh/day
Battery (total @ DoD)
0 Wh • 0 Ah @ 12V
Array Needed
0 W • ≈ 0 panels
Controller
0 A MPPT (min)
Inverter
0 W cont • 0 W surge

1) System Profile

DoD adjusts total battery capacity. Concurrency estimates how many AC loads run at once.

2) Your Daily Loads

Use Device AC? Watts Qty Hours/day Wh/day

Check AC for items powered by the inverter. AC watt‑hours include inverter losses. Microwave/coffee are short use; enter fractional hours (e.g., 0.2 = 12 min).

3) Sun Hours & System Losses

Overall PV‑to‑battery efficiency (derate). Typical 0.65–0.75 with MPPT.

4) Roof Fit (Optional)

We’ll try both orientations and use the better fit. Real roofs have obstructions—use this as a ballpark and finalize during layout.

Max Panels Fit: 0
Max Array Power: 0 W

5) Results & Sizing

Energy & Battery

  • Total Daily Use0 Wh/day
  • Days of Autonomy2 days
  • Usable Battery Needed0 Wh
  • Total Battery Bank (@ DoD)0 Wh
  • Battery Bank in Amp‑hours0 Ah @ 12V
  • Quick Pick (12V LFP)

Solar Array & Controller

  • Peak Sun Hours0 h
  • PV Efficiency (derate)0.70
  • Array Power Required0 W
  • Panels (@ 200 W)0 panels
  • Roof Fit Limit
  • MPPT Output Current (min)0 A

Inverter & Wiring

  • Recommended Inverter (continuous)0 W
  • Recommended Surge0 W
  • Main DC Fuse (battery→inverter)
  • Battery→Inverter Cable (one‑way ft)
  • Panels→Controller Cable (one‑way ft)
  • Controller→Battery Cable (one‑way ft)
Heads up on air conditioners: Running roof A/C on solar alone is rarely practical for most RVs. Use a soft starter + generator or a much larger battery/array. We’ll still include it in your math if you insist—just expect very large numbers.

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RV Solar Calculator – FAQs

What are Peak Sun Hours (PSH)?

PSH condenses a day’s variable sunlight into equivalent hours at full sun (~1000 W/m²). Array size ≈ Daily Wh ÷ (PSH × PV efficiency).

How much battery do I need?

Usable battery (Wh) ≈ Daily Wh × Days of Autonomy. Total bank (Wh) ≈ Usable ÷ DoD. Convert to Ah: Wh ÷ system volts.

MPPT vs PWM?

Use MPPT for higher harvest and flexibility. We assume MPPT and a PV derate of ~0.7 by default.

Why is A/C so difficult on solar?

A/C draws large continuous power. Even efficient units can demand 1000–1500 W, which requires a very large array and battery. A soft starter + generator is the practical path for most rigs.

Can I enter custom loads?

Yes. Add rows, toggle AC/DC, and fine‑tune hours. The share link and local save keep your setup.

© RVupgrades.com • Use at your own risk. Verify wiring and protection with the component manuals and applicable codes.

How to Use This RV Solar Calculator (Quick Guide)

  1. Pick a preset that resembles your travel style.
  2. Add or edit loads (watts × quantity × hours). Mark AC items.
  3. Choose your battery chemistry, system voltage, and days of autonomy.
  4. Set Peak Sun Hours by region/season or manual input.
  5. Optional: Enter roof dimensions and panel size to check fit.
  6. Review the Array Required, Battery Bank, MPPT current, and Inverter sizing. Use the shop links to build your system.

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