TEMPERATURE TO AC AMPERAGE
To power two air conditioners in an RV with solar panels, you need to calculate the total energy demand and then size your solar array accordingly.
Energy Consumption of Two RV Air Conditioners
Total daily energy needed:
3,000 W×8 hours=24,000 Wh(or 24 kWh)3,000\,\text{W} \times 8\,\text{hours} = 24,000\,\text{Wh} \quad (\text{or 24 kWh})3,000W×8hours=24,000Wh(or 24 kWh)
Solar Panel Sizing
Assume 5 peak sun hours per day (a common average for many U.S. locations)3.
Solar panel output needed per day:
24,000 Wh5 hours=4,800 W\frac{24,000\,\text{Wh}}{5\,\text{hours}} = 4,800\,\text{W}5hours24,000Wh=4,800W
If using standard 100-watt panels:
4,800 W100 W/panel=48 panels\frac{4,800\,\text{W}}{100\,\text{W/panel}} = 48\,\text{panels}100W/panel4,800W=48panels
Result:
You would need about 48 standard 100-watt solar panels to run two RV air conditioners for 8 hours a day under typical conditions.
Alternative Panel Sizes
If you use larger panels (e.g., 400-watt panels), you would need fewer panels:
4,800 W400 W/panel=12 panels\frac{4,800\,\text{W}}{400\,\text{W/panel}} = 12\,\text{panels}400W/panel4,800W=12panels4.
Practical Considerations
Startup surge: AC units require significantly more power at startup (up to 2–3 times the running wattage), so your inverter and battery bank must be sized to handle these surges125.
Battery storage: Solar panels generate power only during daylight. To run ACs at night or on cloudy days, you’ll need a large battery bank to store excess energy35.
Roof space: Most RVs cannot physically accommodate 48 standard panels, so high-efficiency residential panels (300–400 W each) or a hybrid energy setup (solar plus generator) may be more practical64.
Summary Table
AC Units 2
Daily Use (hrs) 8
Total Energy Needed (Wh) 24000
Panels Needed (100W) 48
Panels Needed (400W) 12
Key Takeaways
To run two RV air conditioners for 8 hours a day, you need about 4,800 watts of solar capacity, or 48 × 100-watt panels, under optimal sun conditions16.
You must also have a large battery bank and a powerful inverter to handle the startup surge and provide power during non-sunny periods35.
Due to space and cost constraints, running two AC units solely on solar is challenging for most RVs, but possible with high-efficiency panels and a robust battery system.
Always check your specific AC units’ wattage and consult with a solar professional to design a safe and effective system for your RV.
https://www.jackery.com/blogs/knowledge/how-many-watts-does-an-rv-ac-use
https://www.renogy.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-an-rv-air-conditioner-use
https://www.sungoldsolar.us/how-many-solar-panels-do-i-need-run-my-rv-ac/
https://www.microair.net/blogs/news/can-you-run-an-ac-with-solar-power-in-an-rv
https://www.renogy.com/blog/how-to-run-rv-air-conditioning-off-solar/
https://www.trailmanorowners.com/threads/12-volt-air-conditioner.780335/
Solar Power for RV Air Conditioner – How to Size RV Solar Power
https://rvtravellife.com/free-rv-solar-calculator-solar-configuration
https://blog.ecoflow.com/us/how-many-watts-do-rv-ac-use/
RV Air Conditioner Power Consumption: A Complete Guide To Usage, Efficiency, And Savings
https://www.bluettipower.com/blogs/articles/how-much-power-do-rv-air-conditioners-use?srsltid=AfmBOoojTa855vzBjS9NFTIU-L7XGiI5L_mWj7hyJDY3-RGMe6wvogGz
RV AC Unit Wattage: Comprehensive Guide To Power Consumption, Efficiency, And Selection
https://www.relionbattery.com/blog/how-much-solar-rv