Forum Discussion

SJ-Chris's avatar
SJ-Chris
Explorer II
Aug 30, 2022

Recent cost to install solar by an RV tech/shop???

Hi All,

I'm curious to know how much people are paying THESE DAYS to have solar installed professionally on their RVs or trailers. I'm not talking about Do It Yourself....I'm talking about taking it to your local RV repair shop (or mobile technician) and having them install solar.

If you respond, please include the following:

- When was the work done?
- What state was the work done in?
- What type/year RV, trailer, etc?
- What type of roof do you have? (fiberglass? EPDM? TPO?)
- What type of panels (if you know) and the voltage?
- How many panels and total Wattage?
- Were your panels mounted in parallel or in series?
- What type of solar charge controller?
- Did they also add an Inverter?
- Might as well include the size (AH) and type of your battery bank too

You can give the total price and/or a total breakdown on cost if you want.

If you want to include pictures, here is a convenient website to use for converting your jpg photos to a postable link in these forums:
http://photoposting.is-great.net

Warning: Solar is addictive!

Happy Camping!
Chris
  • SJ-Chris's avatar
    SJ-Chris
    Explorer II
    Aug 31, 2022
    3 tons wrote:
    If your slightly handy, better to do your own due-diligence and research and do a self-install…Lots of various equipment choices out there, and various ways to optimize a panel configuration, wiring, MPPT, PWM, etc - so lots to wrap your mind around - or just take their word that your getting the best…JMO

    3 tons


    I've done self installs before. I'm really just curious to hear what the market cost is for the work to be done in an RV shop.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Aug 31, 2022
    3 tons wrote:
    If your slightly handy better to do your due-diligence and research and do a self-install…Lots of various equipment choices out there, and various ways to optimize a panel configuration, wiring, MPPT, PWM, etc - or just take their word that your getting the best…JMO

    3 tons


    After the OP, in multiple threads said clearly, NOT interested in DIY...lol

    Would have been more productive to give him advice about what type of oil to use....
  • 3_tons's avatar
    3_tons
    Explorer III
    Aug 31, 2022
    If your slightly handy, better to do your own due-diligence and research and do a self-install…Lots of various equipment choices out there, and various ways to optimize a panel configuration, wiring, MPPT, PWM, etc - so lots to wrap your mind around - or just take their word that your getting the best…JMO

    3 tons
  • Cptnvideo's avatar
    Cptnvideo
    Nomad
    Aug 31, 2022
    I don't mind paying for peace of mind.
    A GOOD solar company that does nothing but install solar is going to have more knowledge and especially experience than me. I will let them choose brands, etc. They know what products have high failure rates and which companies blow smoke and which companies stand behind their products.
    That is - provided they can answer all my questions correctly. I'm a retired uplink engineer so I know what questions to ask.
  • StirCrazy's avatar
    StirCrazy
    Moderator
    Aug 31, 2022
    SJ-Chris wrote:
    I'm curious to know hoHi All,

    - When was the work done? 2016
    - What state was the work done in? BC, Canada
    - What type/year RV, trailer, etc? 2016 cougar 330rbk
    - What type of roof do you have? epdm
    - What type of panels (if you know) and the voltage? go power 12v
    - How many panels and total Wattage? 3 panels 480 watts
    - Were your panels mounted in parallel or in series? parallel
    - What type of solar charge controller? pwm
    - Did they also add an Inverter? yes
    - size (AH) and type of your battery bank 440AH from four 6V batteries

    You can give the total price and/or a total breakdown on cost if you want.

    I am not sure on the actual price I paided as it was worked into the deal but I can say now it was to much it was around 5000 list price for the system (panels, inverter, new charger, solar controler and instalation) I proabaly paid a little under that. it was my first venture into solar and to be honest I don't think I would pay some one to install it again. I do plan on upgrading to a MPPT controler and changing the 180 watt 12v panels out to 350 watt 24V panels, but I'll do that myself.



    Happy Camping!
    Chris
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 30, 2022
    Cptn’s solar system would accommodate 99.9999% of all campers IMO. lol, the little guy with 300 watts.
  • Cptnvideo's avatar
    Cptnvideo
    Nomad
    Aug 30, 2022
    My signature says what we have. You can PM me for more info if you want. But I won't post a price on this forum because I know what some of the know-it-alls will likely post in response.
    The 8 panels are 4 series, 2 parallel.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 30, 2022
    Your questions are inappropriate. Don’t ask the installer. You should be telling the installer what he/she will install…the watts on the roof, the wire gauges, 12 or 24 volt, the controller location and the specs for the controller.

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