Should I install a solar panel on the roof?

jtcpartners wrote:
When dry camping would a solar panel allow me to use the tv or 1 air conditioner?

TV yes, AC no.

jtcpartners wrote:
Are the results of installing solar on the roof worth it?

Hopefully this isn't a trolling. If you are not DIY type, the cost will be much higher. It is worth it if you can afford it then, and if you need those benefits (see below).

jtcpartners wrote:
If someone could explain this in novice terms the benefits of installing a solar panel I would greatly appreciate it.

Quiet. No generator. Practically endless stay with enough panels, which is in your case feasible. Enough = 400W minimum total.

jtcpartners wrote:
I'm just trying to decide if I want to further research this or just forget about it.

You surely have to further research this if, again, you need those benefits. Mostly you have to research the conservation side of solar life. A lot of items - I would say most 120V devices - become impractical to run off the battery. Some of them you will have to learn how to live without, some need to be replaced. If boondocking is about a week, the task is easier, you can then allow battery charge to drop slowly, because you'll be going home soon. If the goal is a long term living, more conservation is needed.

Edit - PS: about microwave. This is one of things that you better turn off. You CAN use a microwave with solar, but you need a good inverter, and constantly keep an eye on your battery charge, and likely to limit the use of MW. Good news is that most things can be done on LP stove same well. For me it was easier to learn how to live without MW while boondocking. You can live without popcorn for a week, and reheating leftovers you can in a double boiler, aka Baine Marie like This one. Have found a matching lid for a few bucks. It is a slow reheating in 20 minutes, but the results are much better than MW. The food remains moist, not dried out and rubberized like in MW.