Pa. Campers look to solar panels for remote power needs of motorhomes

Imagine going camping in the wilderness, you’re enjoying the sounds of a stream and the singing of nearby birds. Then your gas powered generator starts up and that’s all you can hear.

When you need electricity for your remote campsite, quieter solar technology is now becoming a popular alternative for campers.

Tens of thousands visited America’s Largest RV show last week in Hershey, and solar energy was a hot topic.

The show is organized by the Pennsylvania Recreation Vehicle and Camping Association to introduce campers to the latest models. “Solar is really popular,” said Heather Leach, executive director. “It’s the up-and-coming thing.”

In recent years, solar panels have become more cost effective, and lithium batteries provide more storage capability. She said manufacturers are seeing the need for solar power in the camping industry.

Mike Sokol, a writer for RVtravel.com and an RV electrical expert, said some campgrounds that provide electrical connections to RVs became full during last summer’s pandemic. “The campgrounds haven’t been able to keep up,” he said about the space and energy needs of campers.

Solar is a way to power a camper without needing a hook-up to a campsite or an electrical generator. Some RVs now have solar panels installed across on their roofs to take advantage of the sun as much as possible.

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“People are spending days without (traditional electric) power,” he said. The demands of some air conditioning units are still a little tricky but it’s improving, he said. Appliance manufacturers are learning to make their products, like refrigerators, more efficient, which reduces the burden on stored energy reserves.

“The desire for solar is pushing the whole industry,” he said.

One area where solar power is helping campers in remote areas is that they provide electricity for those with medical devices. He said people with CPAP machines for sleep apnea need electricity to power their machines while they sleep.

He sees a promising future for solar in RVs with technology making items cheaper, smaller and faster.

The Flexsolar booth at the show was busy offering a variety of solar panels to campers. From fold-up solar panels that can charge a laptop computer or phone, to large schematic panels that can be configured for the entire length of a camper roof, there are many options to fit the needs of those going outdoors.

Another area where technology is reaching the outdoors involves campfires that use propane instead of wood. “They’re kind of awesome,” Leach said about models that have artificial logs and can be easily set up at a campsite. Campers themselves have propane fireplaces, too.

The show had about 1,200 RVs for people to consider. They range from small, less than $20,000 fold-up campers to $900,000 luxury motor homes.

When thinking about buying a camper, she said it’s important to make sure you think about where you intend to use it. Are you going tailgating at ballgames or going cross country on a road trip? She said the national parks aren’t really designed for 40-foot motorhomes, and you need to be comfortable driving or towing the size of RV you’re considering.

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You also need to think about the number of people who may be staying with you and get the size that makes sense for the number of people on your trip.

“Make sure you know what you’re going to do with it,” she said about having options like the toy hauler models that have space to take an ATV along.

When deciding whether or not to purchase a motorhome or a camper that attaches to a pick-up truck, she said it comes down to the vehicles you already have. If you have to buy a truck and only use it to pull your camper, it might make sense to have a motorhome. “It’s a lot of personal preference,” she said.

When it comes to camping, she said the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of new people to the hobby.

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With RVs providing your own self-contained vacation, the industry has seen a large uptick in people enjoying the outdoors.

“There’s a whole new market of people who never gave a lot of thought to it previously,”  she said.

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But camping isn’t just a solitary environment. She said many people become close friends at campgrounds and make arrangements to come back the following year at the same time with fellow campers.

“They book the same spot as last year,” she said about strangers becoming friends at campgrounds like the one in Hershey near the RV show.  She said many campers tell her, “We’re all coming back next year.” 

If you want to mark your calendar, next year’s event is scheduled for Sept. 14-18 in Hershey.

Brian Whipkey is the outdoor columnist for USA Today Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weeklyOutdoors Newsletter email on your website's homepage under your login name.

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My goal is to help others better understand what’s available in Pennsylvania and to explain what’s happening with state agencies regarding fishing, hunting and enjoying the outdoors. I’ll answer common questions that you may have regarding hunting, fishing, camping, visiting the state parks and trails and almost anything else that you can do outdoors. Twitter: @whipkeyoutdoors / Instagram: whipkeyoutdoors