RV system planning

RV solar calculator

Build an RV or van appliance list, then estimate the solar array, battery storage, and a charge-controller current baseline together. Replace every example load with your own measured or nameplate data.

Runs in your browserEditable assumptionsPlanning estimate

Inputs

Build the RV energy plan

Appliance Watts Qty Hours

These are editable examples, not fixed appliance ratings. Replace them with measured or nameplate data.

Peak sun hours hours/day Battery autonomy days System voltage V Panel rating W

Battery chemistry presetEditable starting point. Check the battery maker's operating limits.

Advanced assumptionsEditable planning values

Depth of discharge % Usable share of rated battery capacity. Battery efficiency % Energy retained after battery-side losses. Inverter efficiency % Used for AC conversion. DC runtime ignores it. Reserve margin % Extra nominal capacity above the loss-adjusted result.

Solar and controller assumptionsEditable planning values

Solar system efficiency % Controller planning factorApplied only to the current baseline. It does not replace Voc/Isc checks.

Planning estimate

Your planning estimate

Local calculation

Enter your values, then calculate. Results will show the formula inputs and rounding used.

Formula used

RV plan = appliance Wh → shared battery sizing + shared panel sizing; controller baseline A = installed array W ÷ battery V × factor

The RV page does not maintain separate battery or solar formulas. It sends the appliance total to the same calculation modules used by the dedicated battery and panel tools, then reports a current baseline for controller research.

See the full assumptions and rounding policy.

Worked example: a small van day

A 55W fridge runs for 12 hours, four 8W lights run for 4 hours, and a 65W laptop runs for 3 hours.

Fridge: 55 × 12 = 660 Wh.
Lights: 8 × 4 × 4 = 128 Wh.
Laptop: 65 × 3 = 195 Wh.
Daily total: 983 Wh before battery and solar losses.

Result: The shared battery and panel formulas size storage and generation from 983 Wh/day using the selected autonomy, sun, voltage, and loss assumptions.

Common mistakes to avoid

Leaving a compressor appliance at nameplate watts for 24 hours without checking duty cycle.
Sizing panels from peak running watts instead of daily watt-hours.
Treating the controller current baseline as a complete MPPT selection.
Ignoring roof area, shade, panel Voc, temperature, and travel-season changes.

Questions people ask

Why are the example appliance values editable?

RV appliances vary widely. The examples only demonstrate the workflow; your measured use should replace them.

Does the controller result choose a model?

No. It is a current baseline. A real selection must also check cold-weather Voc, Isc, input voltage, charge current, battery profile, and manufacturer rules.

Should I plan from summer or winter sun?

Use the season and location that matter to your travel plan. A year-round system usually needs a more conservative scenario than a summer-only trip.

Before you build: This calculator is for planning. Check voltage limits, current limits, temperature corrections, protection devices, cable sizing, and installation rules against equipment manuals and a qualified professional.