Solar Install in Texas - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Pamela · RV-Dreams Community Member

Solar Install in Texas

Howard · Host

Hi Pamela,

If you've been around our site very long, you've probably read that there are very few top-notch RV solar installers around the country. We don't know of anyone in Texas to recommend.

We are pretty much in line with Jack Mayer's list of installers on his RV Electrical & Solar webpage. The folks in Arizona may be most convenient for you.

However, if you don't mind making a road trip, there is a new RV solar installation company just getting up and running: RV Solar Solutions

The website is brand new and not fully functioning yet, but they are members of this Forum and can be contacted by Private Message: "byseaandbyland" is their Forum name. Or, you can send us a Private Message, and I'll provide their current contact information.

Greg & Cori are RVers and are moving toward full-timing next year. We've met them in person and they will be attending the 2014 Spring Rally later this month.

They have started RV Solar Solutions at their current home base in Pennsylvania, but Greg is planning to do RV solar installs as they travel. However, for this summer, Greg is offering very, very special pricing to get give their business a kick-start and to get as many installations under his belt as possible before they go on the road. He has to get a certain number of installs complete before he can get the endorsement of AM Solar and be authorized as a mobile installer for them. He has solar installation training from Infinite Solar out of Philadelphia, and RV solar installation training from AM Solar out of Oregon. Greg & Cori, are both professionals, and I have no doubts they will be a new, reliable RV solar installation option.

So, if you, or anyone out there, can travel to Pennsylvania this summer, you can get a great install with extremely low labor costs (assuming they aren't already booked up).

Otherwise, perhaps there are some folks that will chime in with Texas options where they've had good experiences. We're always looking to add to the short list of really good RV solar installers. :)

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

We wanted to go through AM Solar for our install, when we contacted them they were able to provide info for their mobile installers. Personally we couldn't get our schedule to align with the mobile installers, just different travel schedules and ours wasn't very flexible. So, we're waiting until we're passing through OR in May, but they did have one installer who was in TX for part of the year.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'll be interested to see some of Greg and Cori's work. If they do a good job and do not fall into the trap of almost ALL installers I have seen then I'd be happy to recommend them. In fact I'd invite a conversation.

It is VERY, VERY hard to find good installers that really understand the issues. VERY hard. In fact, I rarely see a job that is done really correctly. I realize it is easy to sit back and criticize others work, but I've been there and done that. What got me started on installs was the really crappy work I saw. I REALLY did not want that done to my rig back in 2000. So I started doing them myself and it grew from there. I've given up on installations, but I still do some design work on bigger RV systems and I consult for a couple of manufacturers.

As always, I'm happy to answer questions....

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jack - do you know if the place you recommend in your article in FL (Palmer Energy) is still in business? The link doesn't work and googling brings up a company in OH.

I would like to have solar installed on our 5er (yet to be purchased) somewhere between FL and NY/NJ if possible. Not sure when we'll be out west to get it done.

Alternatively, I believe we will have an Onan 5500 generator. Will that be enough to dry camp for 1 or 2 days without solar?

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have not heard anything about John Palmer (Palmer Energy) in a few years.

An Onan 5500 is much more generator than many have, most boondockers use 1000 to 2000 units. With 5500 you could recharge your batteries and run an air conditioner at the same time.

01zeosix · RV-Dreams Family Member

John Palmer is very much alive and well and still installing solar systems. He's a very good friend and I speak with him a couple of times a week. Just call him at the number listed on his website Palmer Energy Systems dot com and he'll be more than happy to talk with you. Very knowledgeable and has most system components in stock.

Hope this helps some...

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, "01" - I guess I was using the wrong URL. I will contact him.

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

I talkedto John a couple of weeks ago. Just call him as stated above...he is not big on email, etc.

The Hensons · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am having Greg install my 640W solar system on June 12 so I will be sure and report back here how it goes!

Howard wrote:
Greg & Cori are RVers and are moving toward full-timing next year. We've met them in person and they will be attending the 2014 Spring Rally later this month.
They have started RV Solar Solutions at their current home base in Pennsylvania, but Greg is planning to do RV solar installs as they travel. However, for this summer, Greg is offering very, very special pricing to get give their business a kick-start and to get as many installations under his belt as possible before they go on the road. He has to get a certain number of installs complete before he can get the endorsement of AM Solar and be authorized as a mobile installer for them. He has solar installation training from Infinite Solar out of Philadelphia, and RV solar installation training from AM Solar out of Oregon. Greg & Cori, are both professionals, and I have no doubts they will be a new, reliable RV solar installation option.