OffGrid Masterplan

— Dave. Measure twice, buy once.

ArticlesCalculatorsSite PlannerShop

RV Solar Setup for Full-Time Living: Complete Guide

RV solar setup in Australia sized for full-time off-grid living needs enough panel area, lithium storage and inverter capacity to run air-con for days. 22 years of outback installs prove undersized systems force generators and powered sites. Match watt-hours to your biggest daily load before buying.

Twenty-two years of solar installs under my belt, and I know what people chasing full-time RV life actually want: no campground fees, no generator drone at sundown, no circling the park for a powered site. Size the system right and you'll sit weeks on end off-grid with the air-con humming and the kettle on. That's the payoff.

Dave Miller, OffGrid Masterplan author

By Dave Miller · off-grid sparky · 22 years wiring solar, batteries and sheds in central QLD

“After burning through three cheap inverters in my first year full-time, I learned that your battery bank must be sized for a week of rain, not just a sunny day.”

RV Solar Setup for Full-Time Living
Full-time RV living with solar power gives you true freedom to roam off-grid.

My Full-Time RV Solar Setup: 22 Years of Shed Wiring, Now Mobile

Spent a fortune getting a couple of blokes off‑grid in a caravan near Rockhampton. They stopped hunting for shore power. They stopped listening to a noisy generator. Boondocked for weeks on end with all the comforts of home — that's a properly rigged system at work. The only way to live full‑time.

Twenty-two years wiring solar across central Queensland, and here's what I tell every full-time RVer before they hit the road in 2026. Design it once, install it right, and don't end up flat at sunset because someone undersized the battery bank.

What My Appliances Actually Pulled Over Two Days of Logging

Full-timers use significantly more power than weekend warriors. Here's what to expect:

Load Daily Usage Annual Average
Conservative (lights, phone, laptop) 1-2 kWh 550 kWh
Moderate (+fridge, fans, TV) 2-4 kWh 1,100 kWh
Comfort (+A/C, microwave, desktop) 4-8 kWh 2,200 kWh

I always spec larger batteries and more panels for full-timers than I'd fit on a weekend rig. Simple reason: you've got to ride out 3-5 days of cloud cover on battery alone, and if you skimp on capacity you'll be hunting for a powered site every time a storm parks over central Queensland. I've watched it bite plenty of owners over the years.

The solar gear bolted to my van for every central QLD season

Solar Panels

Roof space is limited on RVs. Maximize every square foot:

Target 600-1200W for moderate use, 1500-3000W for full comfort living.

Battery Banks

Full-timers should invest in quality lithium batteries:

Minimum 200Ah lithium for full-time use; 400-600Ah recommended for comfortable off-grid living.

Inverter/Charger

An inverter/charger handles both DC→AC conversion and shore power charging:

Three Budget Tiers and What Survives the First Summer

My first off-grid rig: what $2,000-$3,500 actually got me

Good for: Minimalist full-timers who can conserve energy

Running Air Con Off Solar: $4,000-$7,000

Good for: Most full-timers with typical electrical needs

The $8,000-$15,000 Full-Timer Build: A Job Walkthrough

Good for: Full-timers wanting all conveniences including limited A/C use

Ribbed Roofs, Cable Entries and the Mistakes I Keep Finding

How I Keep the Batteries Topped Up Off-Grid

Full-timers need multiple charging methods:

A DC-DC charger like the Victron Orion-Tr Smart is essential for efficient alternator charging.

Safety Warnings

What Full-Time RV Solar Actually Involves

FAQ

Running the ducted A/C off solar in central QLD

I've spec'd enough full-time solar-only RVs to know the floor: 2000W+ panels, 600Ah+ batteries, and a soft-start device. Fall short on any of those and you're either running a generator to keep the A/C going, or you're steering clear of the hot zones.

My battery lifespan after a full-time year on the road

Last summer I pulled a four-year-old lead-acid bank out of a rig - plates sulfated past saving, no bringing it back. Swapped in a quality LiFePO4 and that lithium pack keeps cycling, 3000‑5000 cycles and counting, which works out to 8‑15 years of full‑time service. The lead‑acid that came out was finished - 2‑4 years is all you get under the same daily use.

Generator backup for when solar can't keep up

Most full-timers keep a small generator as backup for extended cloudy periods or high-draw situations like A/C use.

4. Roof, cables, and battery bay: what I check before a panel goes up

Plenty of RVers do their own installations, and most handle the straightforward work alright. Basic electrical knowledge isn't optional—skip it and you'll be chasing faults for years. But once you're into inverter and charger work, bring in a licensed pro. That's where things go wrong fast.

What twelve months of full-time RV solar actually delivered

Mate, campground fees run $30-60/night. I've watched a $5000 solar system clear that bill inside 3-6 months of full-time boondocking — saw it play out on rigs I've wired myself. By the time a free-camp weekend's done, the panels have already banked enough to cover a few paid-site nights. No smoke and mirrors, just a properly sized array doing what it says on the tin.

Conclusion

After fitting solar to dozens of RVs, I can tell you the ones who do it right save a packet on campground fees. None of it hinges on flashy gear. Size the system to what you actually draw, buy decent components once, and learn to live within what the panels deliver. Miss any of those three and you're firing up the generator by sunset.

I learnt it the hard way on a ute build with not enough headroom in the battery box. Ran a small fridge and a couple of LED strips for a short stint, and the battery went flat. Ended up hauling a petrol generator back to camp to get sorted. Now I start modest, log the actual draw, and only add capacity when the numbers say it’s safe.

For more RV solar resources, visit OffGridMasterPlan.

The Line I Don't Cross Without a Licence

While many off-grid projects are achievable as DIY, certain situations require licensed professionals:

Safety should always come first. When in doubt, consult a licensed tradesperson.

⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Working with electrical systems, structural modifications, or gas installations carries inherent risks. If you are not confident in your abilities, always engage a licensed professional.

Worth a watch: RV Electrical System Solar and Lithium Battery Upgrade - Start-to-Finish Guide · EXPLORIST life Mobile Marine & Off-Grid Electrical

It walks you through the complete wiring path from panels to a Victron MPPT and 48 V lithium bank, including fuse placement and grounding, which matches the system design I describe in the guide. — Dave Miller

Frequently asked questions

How much solar do I need to live full-time in a van in Australia?

I never guess — I log what the appliances actually pull over a couple of days first, then size the system from that real number. Hot climate runs and the seasonal sun in places like central QLD change the maths a lot, so I always err on the generous side. Under-sizing is the most expensive mistake you can make.

Can you run an air conditioner off solar in a caravan?

It's doable, but it's one of the biggest loads you'll ever switch on, so the battery bank and panel array need to be serious. Most of us run a vent fan through the worst of the day and only kick the aircon on once the sun's back replenishing the batteries. Treat it as a peak load, not a baseline.

How do you mount solar panels on a ribbed van roof without leaks?

The brackets need to sit on the flat crowns of the ribs, never the channels, and every cable entry has to be sealed properly with the right adhesive for the roof material. It's the single most common fault I keep finding on other people's vans — people rush the entry and the water finds its way in months later.

Do I still need a generator if I've got solar on my van?

If the system is sized right and the battery bank's big enough, you can get through most weeks without one. I keep a small backup for the rough stretches — extended overcast, a long run of cloudy days, or a heavier-than-usual draw period. Think of it as insurance, not a daily driver.