A Renogy solar kit gives you the panels, a charge controller, and most of the cables and brackets to join them. It does not give you a whole working system. Most kits have no battery and no inverter. Depending on the kit you may also need fuses, roof sealing and longer cables. Here is what comes in each Renogy kit we sell, and the checklist of what to buy alongside it.
What's in the box
| Kit | Panels | Controller | Also included (per Renogy and our listings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100W Starter | 1 x 100W N-Type | Wanderer Li 30A PWM | Cables, Z-brackets |
| 200W Starter | 200W of 12V N-Type panels | Wanderer Li 30A PWM | Cables, Z-brackets |
| 200W Essential | 2 x 100W | Adventurer 30A PWM, flush mount | 30 ft 10 AWG adaptor kit, 16 ft 10 AWG tray cable, Y-branch connectors, BT-1 Bluetooth module, cable entry housing |
| 400W with Rover 40A | 4 x 100W | Rover Li 40A MPPT | BT-2 module, 20 ft 10 AWG adaptor kit, 8 ft 8 AWG tray cable, 2 ft fuse cable, 4 Z-bracket sets, 3 Y-branch pairs, 10A in-line fuse, 40A ANL fuse |
| 400W Starter | 2 x 200W (rigid or flexible) | Rover 40A MPPT with BT-2 | Cables, connectors, mounts |
| 400W Essential with DC-DC | 4 x 100W, 2 x 200W or 2 x 200W flexible | 50A DC-DC charger with MPPT | Z-brackets (rigid), Y-branch connectors, adaptor kit, tray cables, cable entry gland, BT-2, fuse holder, ANL fuse set |
| 800W Essential | 4 x 200W | Rover 60A MPPT | BT-2, 4 Z-bracket sets, Y-branch connectors, adaptor kit, tray cables, 2 fuse holders, 60A ANL fuse set |
None of these kits includes a battery or an inverter. If you want those in the same box, look at the "complete" kits such as the 400W with 2.4kWh or 800W with 3.6kWh.
1. A battery
Solar charges a battery, and the battery runs the rig at night. Size it from what you use each day. For planning we count 90% of a lithium battery's rating as usable (Ah x 12.8V x 0.9), so a 100Ah battery gives about 1,152 Wh and a 200Ah about 2,304 Wh. All the controllers in these kits have a lithium setting. Our Renogy lithium battery comparison covers which Renogy battery fits which rig. If you camp below freezing, choose a self-heating battery.
2. Fuses between the controller and the battery
Renogy recommends a fuse at both ends of the charge controller, and the one between the controller and the battery is sized to the controller. Renogy's 400W Rover kit pairs its 40A controller with a 40A ANL fuse, the 800W kit includes a 60A ANL fuse set, and the 400W Essential kit includes an ANL fuse set. With the 100W, 200W and 400W Starter kits, check the box and add a fuse holder and fuse if there isn't one. Our Renogy 30A/40A/60A thermal breakers are a resettable alternative to a fuse.
Wiring panels in parallel adds more fuses. Renogy notes that the four-panel 400W kit, wired in parallel through its Y-branch connectors, needs three more 10A in-line fuses on top of the one in the box.
3. The right cable lengths
Kit cables are sized for a typical install, not your rig. Measure the run from the roof to the controller and from the controller to the battery before you start. Renogy sells the panel-to-controller adaptor kit in 10 ft, 20 ft and 30 ft lengths, plus extension cables and branch connectors. A shorter, heavier cable means less voltage drop.
4. A way through the roof
The 200W Essential and 400W Essential kits include a cable entry housing or gland. The other kits' listings don't mention one, so plan a weatherproof entry point and the right sealant for your roof material before you drill.
5. An inverter, if you run AC appliances
Solar kits charge a 12V battery. To run a microwave, coffee maker or anything that plugs into a wall outlet, you need an inverter. Renogy makes 1000W and 2000W pure sine inverters. Our guide What size inverter do I need for my RV? sizes one, and the battery has to be rated for the current the inverter draws.
6. A battery monitor
The controller shows what the panels are doing, not how full the battery is. A shunt-based monitor such as the Renogy Battery Shunt 300 or the 500A Battery Monitor shows state of charge. That matters most with batteries that have no Bluetooth of their own, like the Core Mini.
7. A plan for adding panels later
This is where kits catch people out. Each controller has a ceiling:
| Controller in the kit | Max solar at 12V | Max panel voltage (Voc) |
|---|---|---|
| Wanderer Li 30A PWM | Renogy rates the starter kits to expand to 400W | 25V |
| Adventurer 30A PWM | 400W | 50V |
| Rover Li 40A MPPT | 520W | 100V |
| Rover 60A MPPT | 800W | 140V |
The Wanderer's 25V limit means you can only add 12V-class panels, such as more of the same 100W panels, and even those run close to 25V in hard cold (about 24.9V at 14°F for the 100W N-Type). Renogy's 200W N-Type is a higher-voltage panel (37.44V open-circuit) and needs an MPPT. The 800W kit already sits at the Rover 60A's 800W limit at 12V. To go bigger, step up to the Rover 100A (1,300W at 12V) or add a second controller. Our Renogy charge controller guide lists every model's limits.
8. Charging from the alternator
If you drive most days, a DC-DC charger refills the battery on the road and covers cloudy days. The 400W Essential kit has one built in. For the others, see Which size Renogy DC-DC charger do I need?
Quick checklist
- Battery sized from daily use, with a lithium-ready controller setting
- Fuse or breaker between controller and battery, plus in-line fuses for parallel panels
- Cables measured for your actual runs
- Roof entry gland and sealant
- Inverter, if you run AC loads
- Battery monitor (shunt)
- A controller big enough for the array you'll end up with
Still working out how many watts you need? Read What size solar kit do I need for my RV?, or let our RV solar and battery calculator build a Renogy parts list for you. Browse the full Renogy range. Found it cheaper? We'll beat it.
FAQ
Can I connect a Renogy kit straight to my RV's existing solar port?
Some RVs come prewired with a roof port and sometimes a controller. Check what controller is fitted and whether it suits your battery. If it does, you may only need the panels. If not, the kit's controller replaces it.
Do I need a battery to use the kit?
Yes. A charge controller is built to charge a battery, and Renogy says not to connect panels directly to a battery without a controller.
Rigid or flexible panels in the kit?
The 400W Starter and 400W Essential kits come either way. See flexible vs rigid solar panels on an RV roof.