Average size and weight of RV/boat solar panels (with 51 examples)
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for services I trust and recommend, then I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks.
So, you established how much solar power you need for your RV/boat and now want to choose the solar panels that fit your space. As I said before, it is advisable to buy modules with the same nominal power and, possibly, from the same brand. This way, you overcome the compatibility issue and the possible loss of power because of mismatching effects in your system.
Choosing the right number of solar panels with the right nominal power and size for your RV/boat could be a little bit tricky. You should also consider the fact that you may want to expand your system in the future, so you might need some extra space. In that case, a module with a higher wattage, instead of several small ones, could be a better choice.
What is the most important size factor?
The size of the solar panels, having the same nominal power, changes slightly from one brand to another. The most important factor for the size, other than its nominal power, is the type of panel; by which I mean either rigid or flexible panels.
The rigid solar panels could be divided into:
- Polycrystalline (multicrystalline)
- Monocrystalline
The monocrystalline panels are usually more efficient, which means they are slightly smaller in size, in comparison to their polycrystalline counterpart, for the same amount of nominal power. The better efficiency also makes the monocrystalline panels more expensive.
The performances of both types of solar panels are influenced by the operational temperature.
Flexible solar panels, also known as thin-film panels, are known to be very lightweight but come with some downsides that make them less appealing to buy – they cost much more compared to rigid panels, degrade faster and have a shorter warranty period.
There are, however, some notable advantages that could make them a better choice in some cases – they are lightweight, flexible and can be installed more easily. Also, their performance is not affected by the operational temperature.
Rigid solar panels size and weight (30 W to 90 W)
Even though for an RV or a boat solar power system you typically want to start to look from 100 W panels upward, but for those who really want to start small, I gathered a list (below) starting at 30 W panels.
50 W rigid solar panels are between 1.6 to 1.8 ft (49 – 55 cm) wide and 1.9 to 2.2 ft (58 – 67 cm ) tall.
The average weight is around 9.7 pounds (4.4 kg) for polycrystalline and 9 pounds (4 kg) for monocrystalline types.
Brand Type Nominal Power W Size in (mm) Weight lbs (kg) Dasol Poly 30 13.8 x 25.6 x 1 (350 x 650 x 25) 6 (2.7) Windynation Poly 30 16.1 x 26.4 x 1 (410 x 670 x 25) 6.6 (3) Rich Solar Mono 30 13.8 x 21.6 x 1 (350 x 548 x 25) 5.9 (2.6) Solarland Poly 50 21 x 26.57 x 1.18 (534 x 675 x 30) 10.25 (4.65) Rich Solar Poly 50 21.7 x 26.2 x 1.4 (551 x 665 x 35) 9.2 (4.17) Rich Solar Mono 50 21.7 x 26.2 x 1.38 (551 x 665 x 35) 9.2 (4.17) Renogy Mono 50 19.6 x 23.7 x 1.2 (498 x 601 x 30) 8.8 (4) Dasol Poly 60 25.6 x 26.2 x 1.38 (650 x 665 x 35) 11.7 (5.3) Sungoldpower Mono 60 21 x 30 x 1.2 (533 x 762 x 30) 10 (4.5) Solarland Poly 80 26.57 x 30.47 x 1.18 (675 x 774 x 30) 13.22 (6) Renogy Mono 80 19.6 x 36.2 x 1.38 (498 x 919 x 35) 11.9 (5.4) Dasol Poly 90 26.2 x 36.6 x 1.38 (665 x 930 x 35) 16.4 (7.4) Solarland Poly 90 26.57 x 37 x 1.18 (675 x 940 x 30) 17.64 (8) Zamp Mono 90 19.88 x 39.56 x 1.38 (505 x 1005 x 35) 14 (6.3) Zamp Mono 90 13.5 x 58.3 x 1.38 (343 x 1480 x 35) 14.3 (6.5)
Rigid solar panels size and weight (30 W to 90 W)
| Brand | Type | Nominal Power W | Size in (mm) | Weight lbs (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dasol | Poly | 30 | 13.8 x 25.6 x 1 (350 x 650 x 25) | 6 (2.7) |
| Windynation | Poly | 30 | 16.1 x 26.4 x 1 (410 x 670 x 25) | 6.6 (3) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 30 | 13.8 x 21.6 x 1 (350 x 548 x 25) | 5.9 (2.6) |
| Solarland | Poly | 50 | 21 x 26.57 x 1.18 (534 x 675 x 30) | 10.25 (4.65) |
| Rich Solar | Poly | 50 | 21.7 x 26.2 x 1.4 (551 x 665 x 35) | 9.2 (4.17) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 50 | 21.7 x 26.2 x 1.38 (551 x 665 x 35) | 9.2 (4.17) |
| Renogy | Mono | 50 | 19.6 x 23.7 x 1.2 (498 x 601 x 30) | 8.8 (4) |
| Dasol | Poly | 60 | 25.6 x 26.2 x 1.38 (650 x 665 x 35) | 11.7 (5.3) |
| Sungoldpower | Mono | 60 | 21 x 30 x 1.2 (533 x 762 x 30) | 10 (4.5) |
| Solarland | Poly | 80 | 26.57 x 30.47 x 1.18 (675 x 774 x 30) | 13.22 (6) |
| Renogy | Mono | 80 | 19.6 x 36.2 x 1.38 (498 x 919 x 35) | 11.9 (5.4) |
| Dasol | Poly | 90 | 26.2 x 36.6 x 1.38 (665 x 930 x 35) | 16.4 (7.4) |
| Solarland | Poly | 90 | 26.57 x 37 x 1.18 (675 x 940 x 30) | 17.64 (8) |
| Zamp | Mono | 90 | 19.88 x 39.56 x 1.38 (505 x 1005 x 35) | 14 (6.3) |
| Zamp | Mono | 90 | 13.5 x 58.3 x 1.38 (343 x 1480 x 35) | 14.3 (6.5) |
I noticed that, for 50 W panels, there are lots more brands from which you can choose. So, you may get a better deal there. The sizes within each wattage rate are almost identical, but there are some exceptions, like number fifteen on this list, which has a long, narrow shape.
Rigid solar panels size and weight (100 W to 200 W)
Now, this is the range of solar panels that are often used to set-up an off-grid, solar powered system. 100W are the most common ones, with various brands and price ranges from which you can choose.
100 W rigid solar panels are between 1.7 to 2.2 ft (0.5 – 0.67 m) wide and 3.3 to 4.3 ft (1 – 1.3 m ) tall.
The average weight is around 18.2 pounds (8.2 kg) for polycrystalline and 15.7 pounds (7.1 kg) for monocrystalline types
Brand Type Nominal Power W Size in (cm) Weight lbs (kg) Grape Solar Poly 100 26.37 x 40.16 x 1.57 (67 x 102 x 4) 19.66 (8.9) Rich Solar Poly 100 26.4 x 39.6 x 1.4 (67 x 100.5 x 3.5) 17.5 (7.9) Inergy Poly 100 26.5 x 40 x 1.8 (67.3 x 101.6 x 4.6) 16.2 (7.3) Solarland Poly 100 26.5 x 39.8 x 1.2 (67.3 x 101.1 x 3) 19.62 (8.9) Rich Solar Mono 100 20.5 x 45.5 x 1.4 (52 x 115.6 x 3.5) 15 (6.8) Solarland Mono 100 20.24 x 52.16 x 1.4 (51.4 x 132.4 x 3.5) 17.2 (7.8) Renogy Mono 100 21 x 40.9 x 1.4 (53.3 x 103.8 x 3.5) 15 (6.8) Renogy Mono 100 21.3 x 47.3 x 1.4 (54.1 x 120.1 x 3.5) 16.5 (7.5) Zamp Mono 100 20.63 x 43.38 x 0.63 (52.4 x 110.2 x 1.6) 15 (6.8) Zamp Mono 115 26.5 x 39.6 x 1.38 (67.3 x 100.5 x 3.5) 18 (8.2) Solarland Poly 120 26.6 x 49 x 1.4 (67.5 x 124 x 3.5) 24.25 (11) Solarland Poly 130 26.6 x 59 x 1.4 (67.5 x 150 x 3.5) 26.7 (12.1) Dasol Poly 135 26.2 x 56.7 x 1.38 (66.5 x 136 x 3.5) 23.6 (10.7) Solarland Poly 160 26.57 x 59 x 1.18 (67.5 x 150 x 3) 26.46 (12) Renogy Mono 160 25.9 x 51.3 x 1.38 (65.7 x 130.4 x 3.5) 22.1 (10) Nature Power Mono 165 26.3 x 57.8 x 1.4 (66.8 x 146.8 x 3.5) 24.6 (11.1) Zamp Mono 170 26.4 x 58.3 x 1.38 (67 x 148 x 3.5) 25 (11.3) Rich Solar Mono 170 26.8 x 58.7 x 1.4 (68 x 149 x 3.5) 26.5 (12) Solarland Mono 175 26.6 x 59 x 1.4 (67.5 x 150 x 3.5) 26.7 (12.1) Rich Solar Mono 180 26.8 x 58.7 x 1.4 (68 x 149 x 3.5) 26.5 (12) Zamp Mono 190 26.4 x 58.3 x 1.38 (67 x 148 x 3.5) 26 (11.8) Rich Solar Mono 190 26.8 x 58.7 x 1.4 (68 x 149 x 3.5) 26.5 (12) Rich Solar Mono 200 26.8 x 58.7 x 1.4 (68 x 149 x 3.5) 26.5 (12) Renogy Mono 200 25.9 x 63.8 x 1.4 (65.7 x 162 x 3.5) 25.4 (11.5)
Rigid solar panels size and weight (100 W to 200 W)
| Brand | Type | Nominal Power W | Size in (cm) | Weight lbs (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grape Solar | Poly | 100 | 26.37 x 40.16 x 1.57 (67 x 102 x 4) | 19.66 (8.9) |
| Rich Solar | Poly | 100 | 26.4 x 39.6 x 1.4 (67 x 100.5 x 3.5) | 17.5 (7.9) |
| Inergy | Poly | 100 | 26.5 x 40 x 1.8 (67.3 x 101.6 x 4.6) | 16.2 (7.3) |
| Solarland | Poly | 100 | 26.5 x 39.8 x 1.2 (67.3 x 101.1 x 3) | 19.62 (8.9) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 100 | 20.5 x 45.5 x 1.4 (52 x 115.6 x 3.5) | 15 (6.8) |
| Solarland | Mono | 100 | 20.24 x 52.16 x 1.4 (51.4 x 132.4 x 3.5) | 17.2 (7.8) |
| Renogy | Mono | 100 | 21 x 40.9 x 1.4 (53.3 x 103.8 x 3.5) | 15 (6.8) |
| Renogy | Mono | 100 | 21.3 x 47.3 x 1.4 (54.1 x 120.1 x 3.5) | 16.5 (7.5) |
| Zamp | Mono | 100 | 20.63 x 43.38 x 0.63 (52.4 x 110.2 x 1.6) | 15 (6.8) |
| Zamp | Mono | 115 | 26.5 x 39.6 x 1.38 (67.3 x 100.5 x 3.5) | 18 (8.2) |
| Solarland | Poly | 120 | 26.6 x 49 x 1.4 (67.5 x 124 x 3.5) | 24.25 (11) |
| Solarland | Poly | 130 | 26.6 x 59 x 1.4 (67.5 x 150 x 3.5) | 26.7 (12.1) |
| Dasol | Poly | 135 | 26.2 x 56.7 x 1.38 (66.5 x 136 x 3.5) | 23.6 (10.7) |
| Solarland | Poly | 160 | 26.57 x 59 x 1.18 (67.5 x 150 x 3) | 26.46 (12) |
| Renogy | Mono | 160 | 25.9 x 51.3 x 1.38 (65.7 x 130.4 x 3.5) | 22.1 (10) |
| Nature Power | Mono | 165 | 26.3 x 57.8 x 1.4 (66.8 x 146.8 x 3.5) | 24.6 (11.1) |
| Zamp | Mono | 170 | 26.4 x 58.3 x 1.38 (67 x 148 x 3.5) | 25 (11.3) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 170 | 26.8 x 58.7 x 1.4 (68 x 149 x 3.5) | 26.5 (12) |
| Solarland | Mono | 175 | 26.6 x 59 x 1.4 (67.5 x 150 x 3.5) | 26.7 (12.1) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 180 | 26.8 x 58.7 x 1.4 (68 x 149 x 3.5) | 26.5 (12) |
| Zamp | Mono | 190 | 26.4 x 58.3 x 1.38 (67 x 148 x 3.5) | 26 (11.8) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 190 | 26.8 x 58.7 x 1.4 (68 x 149 x 3.5) | 26.5 (12) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 200 | 26.8 x 58.7 x 1.4 (68 x 149 x 3.5) | 26.5 (12) |
| Renogy | Mono | 200 | 25.9 x 63.8 x 1.4 (65.7 x 162 x 3.5) | 25.4 (11.5) |
Flexible solar panels size and weight
The most common choices that we have in this category are 50 W and 100 W panels. As you can see from the chart, below, there are also semi-flexible solar panels that are more robust and consequently weigh more. They are usually a better option for marine applications.
Brand Type Nominal Power W Size in (cm) Weight lbs (kg) Rich Solar Poly 50 24 x 27.2 x 0.11 (60.9 x 69 x 0.27) 3.3 (1.5) Rich Solar Mono 50 24 x 27.2 x 0.11(60.9 x 69 x 0.27) 3.3 (1.5) Grape Solar Mono 50 21.89 x 25.83 x 0.19 (55.6 x 65.6 x 0.48) 2.2 (0.99) Renogy Mono 50 20 x 26.5 x 0.16 (50.8 x 67.3 x 0.4) 2.87 (1.3) Rich Solar Mono 80 27.2 x 33.3 x 0.11 (69 x 84.5 x 0.28) 4.3 (1.9) Renogy Mono 100 21.6 x 48 x 0.08 (54.8 x 121.9 x 0.2) 4.2 (1.9) Rich Solar Mono 100 21.3 x 44.5 x 0.1 (54.1 x 113 x 0.25) 4.4 (2) Rich Solar Mono 100 27.2 x 41.1 x 0.11 (69 x 104.3 x 0.28) 4.8 (2.2) Inergy Solar Mono (semi-flexible) 100 26 x 40 x 0.75 (66 x 101.6 x 1.9) 8 (3.6) Renogy Mono 160 26.5 x 59.2 x 0.08 (67.3 x 150.3 x 0.2) 6.2 (2.8) Overland Mono (semi-flexible) 160 22 x 58 x 1.18 (55.9 x 147.3 x 3) 6 (2.7) Renogy Mono 175 26.5 x 59.2 x 0.08 (67.3 x 150.3 x 0.2) 6.2 (2.8)
Flexible solar panels size and weight
| Brand | Type | Nominal Power W | Size in (cm) | Weight lbs (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Solar | Poly | 50 | 24 x 27.2 x 0.11 (60.9 x 69 x 0.27) | 3.3 (1.5) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 50 | 24 x 27.2 x 0.11(60.9 x 69 x 0.27) | 3.3 (1.5) |
| Grape Solar | Mono | 50 | 21.89 x 25.83 x 0.19 (55.6 x 65.6 x 0.48) | 2.2 (0.99) |
| Renogy | Mono | 50 | 20 x 26.5 x 0.16 (50.8 x 67.3 x 0.4) | 2.87 (1.3) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 80 | 27.2 x 33.3 x 0.11 (69 x 84.5 x 0.28) | 4.3 (1.9) |
| Renogy | Mono | 100 | 21.6 x 48 x 0.08 (54.8 x 121.9 x 0.2) | 4.2 (1.9) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 100 | 21.3 x 44.5 x 0.1 (54.1 x 113 x 0.25) | 4.4 (2) |
| Rich Solar | Mono | 100 | 27.2 x 41.1 x 0.11 (69 x 104.3 x 0.28) | 4.8 (2.2) |
| Inergy Solar | Mono (semi-flexible) | 100 | 26 x 40 x 0.75 (66 x 101.6 x 1.9) | 8 (3.6) |
| Renogy | Mono | 160 | 26.5 x 59.2 x 0.08 (67.3 x 150.3 x 0.2) | 6.2 (2.8) |
| Overland | Mono (semi-flexible) | 160 | 22 x 58 x 1.18 (55.9 x 147.3 x 3) | 6 (2.7) |
| Renogy | Mono | 175 | 26.5 x 59.2 x 0.08 (67.3 x 150.3 x 0.2) | 6.2 (2.8) |
Conclusion
Keep in mind that choosing the most efficient solar panel, which obviously costs you more, is not as important as carefully selecting other system components. A smarter choice is to have an overall balanced system that pays for itself in the long run.
If you would like to know more about solar panels efficiency, and how to judge their performance before buying, read here.