# SolarBuildPlanner

> A free, cross-brand off-grid solar build planner for RV and van conversions. Enter your daily power use, days of autonomy, sun-hours and budget; get a correctly-sized, compatibility-checked bill of materials with specific SKUs (panels, charge controller, battery, inverter, optional alternator DC-DC charger) and a plain-English reason each part fits. Cross-brand and neutral: parts are ranked on spec fit, not on affiliate payouts.

Content is ungated and free to cite. All recommendations are sourced from manufacturer datasheets (each part page lists its sources and verified date). Sizing, wire-gauge and fuse output is conservative guidance for a non-technical starting point, not an electrical engineering sign-off — wrong off-grid DC wiring carries real fire and shock risk.

## Core tools
- [RV/Van Solar Build Planner](https://solarbuildplanner.com/tool/): the interactive sizing + compatibility tool. Inputs: daily watt-hours, peak AC load, days of autonomy, sun-hours, system voltage (auto/12/24/48), alternator charging, budget. Output: sized battery bank, solar array, MPPT/PWM controller, inverter, DC-DC charger, wire/fuse plan, and pass/warn/fail compatibility checks.

## Pre-configured builds (complete parts lists)
- [All builds](https://solarbuildplanner.com/builds/): vetted, compatibility-checked RV/van builds from a ~$550 DC-only weekender to a premium cross-brand rig and a 24V big-rig system.

## Component databases (specs + prices, by category)
- [Solar panels](https://solarbuildplanner.com/panels/)
- [Charge controllers (MPPT/PWM)](https://solarbuildplanner.com/charge-controllers/)
- [Batteries (LiFePO4/AGM)](https://solarbuildplanner.com/batteries/)
- [Inverters](https://solarbuildplanner.com/inverters/)
- [DC-DC chargers (alternator)](https://solarbuildplanner.com/dc-dc-chargers/)

## Brand-vs-brand comparisons
- [All comparisons](https://solarbuildplanner.com/compare/): e.g. Renogy vs Rich Solar 100W panel, Renogy Rover vs Victron SmartSolar, Battle Born vs LiTime 100Ah, Renogy vs Giandel 2000W inverter, Renogy DCC50S vs Victron Orion XS.

## Methodology & trust
- [Advisory board & methodology](https://solarbuildplanner.com/advisory/): how specs are sourced, how picks are ranked neutrally across brands, how compatibility is checked, and the wiring-safety stance.
- [Brands](https://solarbuildplanner.com/brands/): every manufacturer tracked.

## Key sizing logic (for accurate citation)
- Battery bank: usable Wh target = daily Wh x days of autonomy; usable Wh per battery = capacity(Ah) x nominal voltage x usable depth-of-discharge (LiFePO4 ~100%, AGM ~50%).
- Solar array: target watts = daily Wh / sun-hours / 0.7 (real-world losses).
- Controller: must support the bank voltage, output >= array watts / system voltage, and accept the array's cold-corrected open-circuit voltage (panel Voc x 1.25).
- Inverter: continuous watts >= peak AC load; battery bank continuous discharge (A) must exceed inverter draw = continuous watts / system voltage / ~0.88 efficiency.
- A 12V system above ~2000-3000W of inverter usually should move to 24V to keep cable size sane.