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Sustainable, Reliable Energy for Your RV
Join our many satisfied customers in making your home ready for off-grid living!
Join our many satisfied customers in making your home ready for off-grid living!
It is finally here. Several different companies have tried to capture the solar awning concept but so far only one has really nailed it. These awnings come in sizes up to 21ft and 1900W!! They unroll just like a regular fabric awning using military grade CIGS panels that have a 25 year warranty. This is not an inexpensive option but cheaper than other alternatives to add more solar to a RV roof already covered in panels. A great option for any RV or even a house installation. Please contact Solar on the Cheap directly for pricing and availability. Custom sizes are available.
A shunt based battery monitor is critical to any off-grid system and battery type. This is like a fuel gauge for every type of battery bank showing amps in & out, voltage and amp hours remaining. AiLi makes a great value monitor that is highly accurate. The 350A is large enough for most systems but they do offer a 500
At Solar On The Cheap Solar Installation, we believe in the power of solar energy to transform the way we live and work. Our team of experts is committed to helping you harness this power and take control of your energy bills. From design to installation, we are with you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you go solar!
Save money from campground fees and generator fuel / maintenance costs.
No noise and fume free living.
Even works while driving in the sunshine with rooftop mounted panels.
Typical solar equipment is designed for 20+ years of usage and can easily pay for itself under one year.
Cheap doesn't necessarily mean the least possible up front cost. Here at SOTC, we pick suppliers that provide the best VALUE - high quality components that are fairly priced for long term use.
DEALS AND STEALS is the list of our trusted partners below. Contact us if you would like assistance designing a solar system - from a small starter package to a full blown 'I want to power everything and run air conditioning off sunshine' package.
Components and installation has become so easy to integrate now, anyone with the most basic k
DEALS AND STEALS is the list of our trusted partners below. Contact us if you would like assistance designing a solar system - from a small starter package to a full blown 'I want to power everything and run air conditioning off sunshine' package.
Components and installation has become so easy to integrate now, anyone with the most basic knowledge of electrical components can do it themselves with a few hours of labor to save the thousands of dollars that an installer would charge.
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
ABSOLUTELY NOT. A starter system can be as low as $200 all the way to a big full-blown system for under $8000. This all depends on how you want to live sustainably and for how long.
We offer two types of consultation services.
1: We help you design a solar system based on your current and future needs. This includes using as much current equipment as possible to a complete gut and upgrade of the major electrical system. We strive to keep your equipment costs to and earn your business and be a better choice than the competition.
2: Fix others mistakes. I have seen several extremely dangerous solar installations that are a fire danger - no fuses, wires sized incorrectly, wrong components, etc. We can also troubleshoot why a system is under-performing or what may have quit working altogether.
Batteries - We have partnered with Current Connected, SOK's largest distributor in the US. They offer an extended 3 year warranty for free on all SOK purchases. SOK is the best value in lithium batteries with an all metal or marine grade plastic case, excellent BMS with high amp discharge rates, solid heavy duty terminals for use in RVs and boats, user serviceable components and verified top grade new balanced cells. These batteries are tested to over 8000 cycles (22+ years if fully cycled daily!) https://tinyurl.com/CurConct
SOK rebate website, check for current offers-
High quality used solar panels - These prices are unbeatable per watt. SanTan is one of the largest solar distributors in the US. They are also an EpEver distributor who makes a great value MPPT solar charge controller. Check out their current in stock specials here.
HTTPS://tinyurl.com/SanTanSale
For brand new solar panels and complete kits + accessories, we really like AcoPower products. They are very high quality at affordable prices. Save 10% with coupon code SAVE10
Typically YES. As always, contact your tax preparer for details and confirmation. If this is considered your primary or second home, you should be able to deduct this from your federal and some state taxes.
For sure. If you can do some basic math and have a basic understanding of electrical knowledge (don't touch live wires together, remove ALL power before working on a system...) and are willing to possibly buy a few electrical tools, this is very simple now. There are several how-to websites and YouTube videos available to learn how to install. We can help select the proper components that will work well together costing far less than most advertised systems.
Solar panels in the sunshine work best when pointed directly at the sun. This is why solar farms have tracking / tilting. We highly recommend using some sort of tilt system for maximum energy harvesting.
The solar panels make high voltage, low amp DC power. This then is fed into a solar charge controller that changes that to the nominal battery voltage (typically 12-48VDC) and boosts up the amps. Watts = volts x amps and the watts remain about the same. This lower voltage DC power will then flow into appliances like the light bulbs, fans and an inverter that changes the DC power to 120V AC power that is used by wall plugs and big appliances like air conditioners, microwaves, hair dryers and air fryers. Leftover watts then flow into a battery if there is capacity left.
Yes! We have partnered with TechnoRV, a leading family-owned business made of RVers for RVers. They vigorously test every item they offer to ensure it will live up to end exceed expectations.
The top offering they have for solar RVs is the collection of Soft Start devices for the air conditioners. This stretches out the huge starting inrush of current needed to get an AC compressor moving. This allows smaller generators and inverters to provide the necessary power to start the device without tripping breakers or exceeding max watts available. Check out all their goodies like TPMSes, surge protectors, Garmin GPSes for RVs and so much more here:
There is no 'best system' out there. It all depends on how you plane to use it and your budget. These power stations (AKA 'solar generators') might work for an easy solution for a weekend camper but you can build a much better unit for under half their price with better components in an hour.
The most bang-for-the-buck in an RV is a 48VDC battery connected with just two wires to an all-in-one MPPT/inverter/converter unit and add a step-down buck converter to supply the normal house system with 12vdc power. For about $3000, you can run air conditioning off sunshine and add another battery to run all night for under $5000 total.
We strive to offer the best value products with our partners. These are the actual brands and products that we use daily while living off-grid in our motor home and have been extremely happy with. We are astonished at the prices of some of these blue colored components (that have extremely high advertising budgets) and want to offer a budget friendly alternative.
Xscapers get maximum discounts available. Feel free to email, with Escapees number, for current specials that are not allowed to be published as they are so low. You can also email for more info about becoming an Escapee / Xcaper.
some links above are affiliate links
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