Our new motorhome has a 7.0 kw generator. I imagine to run all appliances A/C, refrigerator, tv's, lights, etc. it would take much less than 7.0 kw as not everything is on at the same time. We declined the solar panel option as I don't think 2 solar panels would run the A/C during a 115 degree AZ summer.This leads to my question. We are thinking about buying a couple of acres in the Tucson area to use as a home base. We are going to build a covered, open sided car port with storage shed and concrete floor about 35' x 40'. It will be big enough to park our rig with slides out and room for patio furniture. It will likely be inaccessible to public power so we will have to install solar panels. How many kw should I plan to be able to generate? Should I just match the 7kw generator? Will also have to install a septic system so we don't have to dump tanks every few days and also install a water tank.Thanks in advance for your insight!

Well then, everything changes based on your specific application. Residential solar cells come in larger panels, so it's easier to get the amount of power you'll need. So the big question actually is battery storage. There are days when the sun doesn't shine there (not too many) and obviously you will have no solar generation at night. AFA panels, 6KW should work to keep a battery bank charged and run 2 A/C units. You will need enough battery capacity to get you through the night minimum. I would seriously consider hiring an engineer who has training in this area to put a system together for you. I'm in Florida (I'm an EE with training in this area) so I'm too far away and I don't do design projects. Just a warning - it will not be cheap.Al

The solar panels on RV's aren't meant to drive AC appliances like your AC and microwave etc. They are meant to keep your batteries charged to run your 12V systems (lights, controls, inverter for fridge..). Solar panels are great to have because without shore power or the gen set to charge your batteries, there is no way to keep them topped off.You may want to try and better understand your RV's electrical systems. Specifically 12V vs 120. There are a lot of things that run on a coach that are 12V only. Lights, controls, water pump etc. The 120 items like your AC and microwave require being plugged in to shore power, or in the absence of shore power - that is why you have an onboard power plant - your genset. We used to run our AC while going down the road - for example or use the microwave when stopping for lunch. These things don't run on batteries.

You would need a very costly solar system with batteries and inverter to be able to run the RV as if it was plugged into 110V 50A power. For example a 400W system would allow you to run a residential fridge and some appliances when not plugged in.You may want to do some research on RV solar power.

https://www.parkedinparadise.com/solar-calculator/This is just one of multiple places to look to answer your question.But, rather than build a system just for the RV, why not look into building a true off-grid power system.

The plan is to build an off the grid system and use that as my “shore” hook up when there. What I’m trying to determine is what size that system should be. I don’t know how much power the rig would consume considering running two A/C units, fridge, lights and tv’s.

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jdc1
Explorer II
May 27, 2021
Why not use propane for the refigerator? A 100 gallon tank will last you years. Then, the only thing you need to power up is the AC. I doubt you'll be out there in June through October, when it's 110*+.
Alex_and_Tee
Explorer
May 27, 2021
The plan is to build an off the grid system and use that as my “shore” hook up when there. What I’m trying to determine is what size that system should be. I don’t know how much power the rig would consume considering running two A/C units, fridge, lights and tv’s.
fyrflie
Explorer III
May 27, 2021
https://www.parkedinparadise.com/solar-calculator/
This is just one of multiple places to look to answer your question.

But, rather than build a system just for the RV, why not look into building a true off-grid power system.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
May 27, 2021
You would need a very costly solar system with batteries and inverter to be able to run the RV as if it was plugged into 110V 50A power. For example a 400W system would allow you to run a residential fridge and some appliances when not plugged in.

You may want to do some research on RV solar power.
way2roll
Navigator II
May 27, 2021
The solar panels on RV's aren't meant to drive AC appliances like your AC and microwave etc. They are meant to keep your batteries charged to run your 12V systems (lights, controls, inverter for fridge..). Solar panels are great to have because without shore power or the gen set to charge your batteries, there is no way to keep them topped off.

You may want to try and better understand your RV's electrical systems. Specifically 12V vs 120. There are a lot of things that run on a coach that are 12V only. Lights, controls, water pump etc. The 120 items like your AC and microwave require being plugged in to shore power, or in the absence of shore power - that is why you have an onboard power plant - your genset. We used to run our AC while going down the road - for example or use the microwave when stopping for lunch. These things don't run on batteries.
FloridaRosebud
Explorer
May 27, 2021
Well then, everything changes based on your specific application. Residential solar cells come in larger panels, so it's easier to get the amount of power you'll need. So the big question actually is battery storage. There are days when the sun doesn't shine there (not too many) and obviously you will have no solar generation at night. AFA panels, 6KW should work to keep a battery bank charged and run 2 A/C units. You will need enough battery capacity to get you through the night minimum. I would seriously consider hiring an engineer who has training in this area to put a system together for you. I'm in Florida (I'm an EE with training in this area) so I'm too far away and I don't do design projects. Just a warning - it will not be cheap.

Al

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