To adequately set up a motor coach with solar power will run you about $8,000 and this will include the panels on the roof, super batteries, installation and a control module. The control module is the most inexpensive component, only about $150.00 and it will keep you from over cooking your batteries and turn off the collection from the solar panels when the batteries are 100% charged up. It will also prevent potential fire hazard too.

You will need a number of panels and you need to consider how much power you will need, including air-conditioners, lighting, microwaves, personal computers, dishwasher, washer and dryer or whatever additional electrical units you have. I do not recommend getting rid of your portable generator if you already have one, as you never know when you will need it. I have an Onan Quiet Diesel 7500 and I cannot ever imagine getting rid of it, even with the solar power.

When I say dump the generator, I really mean dump the fuel expense to run it and go pure, that energy from the Sun makes sense to use and with fuel prices this high the return on investment can be achieved very quickly for the full-time RV’er. Convert that wasted empty space on top of your RV and help yourself to some energy from the Sun. Please consider all this in 2006.