The only number that matters first
Start with daily watt-hour use. Everything else comes after that.
If your rig uses 1,500Wh a day, the array you need is very different from a rig using 3,500Wh a day for remote work, kitchen appliances, and longer shoulder-season stays.
Add margin, not fantasy
Paper math assumes better weather and cleaner charging than real campsites usually offer. Add margin for clouds, shade, and lifestyle creep.
Use the calculator next
Once you have the rough usage number, the solar calculator is the fastest way to turn that into a working equipment target.
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Meet the author
Devin Harper
Full-time RVer and off-grid systems writer • On the road since 2019
Devin has spent the last several seasons testing solar, battery, water, and connectivity setups while traveling between desert boondocking zones and mountain shoulder-season camps. The focus is practical system design: enough detail to make confident decisions, without pretending every rig has the same priorities.
Contact the editorial team