RV Solar Panel Installation & System Repair in Tucson, AZ
Tucson gets some of the strongest, most consistent sun in the country — which is exactly why so many RVers in the area boondock on solar instead of running a generator. When a system stops keeping up, the panels themselves are rarely the problem. Shawn diagnoses and repairs the rest of the system on-site — charge controller, wiring, and battery bank — and installs new or replacement panels when a panel itself is the issue.
Most RV solar complaints Shawn sees in the Tucson area aren't dead panels — panels are simple, solid-state, and rarely fail outright in the desert heat. The real culprits are almost always downstream: a charge controller that's miswired or misprogrammed for the battery chemistry, a corroded or loose connection at the roof entry plate, or a battery bank that's too worn out to accept what the panels are actually producing.
A solar diagnostic starts with a meter, not a guess — checking actual panel output in full sun, confirming the charge controller is passing that output through to the batteries, and inspecting every connection along the way for the kind of heat-cycling and dust corrosion that's common on Tucson-area rigs. For anyone upgrading to lithium or adding a second battery, Shawn also checks whether an older PWM controller needs to be replaced with an MPPT unit to charge efficiently — swapping the battery type without touching the controller is one of the most common reasons a 'new' solar upgrade still underperforms.
Technician checking RV inverter and wiring panel
Technician performing lead-acid battery maintenanceIs this what's happening to your RV?
Panels show voltage but the battery isn't charging
This almost always points to the charge controller or a bad connection between the controller and the battery — not the panel itself.
Charging drops off in the middle of a sunny day
Partial shading from an AC unit or vent, a loose connection heating up, or a controller derating from its own heat can all cause a midday drop.
A new lithium battery bank still isn't reaching full charge from solar
An older PWM controller often can't charge lithium efficiently — this is one of the most common reasons a battery upgrade doesn't deliver the expected results.
Get a rough idea before you call
These are general mobile-repair ranges, not a final quote — every unit and part is different. Shawn confirms exact pricing after a quick phone diagnosis or on-site look.
Frequently asked questions
No — once a panel's glass or laminate is cracked or the cells inside are damaged, it isn't something that can be patched or repaired. Shawn replaces the damaged panel, matching your existing array where possible, and checks the wiring at the mounting point at the same time.
Both — Shawn installs new panel arrays, charge controllers, and battery bank upgrades, replaces damaged panels, and repairs and troubleshoots the rest of the system on rigs that already have solar installed.
A meter test of real panel output in full sun, the charge controller's programming and pass-through to the battery, and a physical inspection of the roof entry plate and wiring connections for corrosion or damage.
Yes — but the charge controller usually needs to be checked or upgraded too. An older PWM controller often can't charge lithium batteries efficiently, so pairing lithium with the wrong controller is a common reason people don't get the performance they expected.
Hail and wind damage to the panels themselves is uncommon here. What Shawn sees more often after monsoon season is water intrusion at the roof entry plate or connector, which can corrode wiring and cause exactly the kind of charging problems described above.
Tell us what's going on
Call or Text
(520) 818-2310Based In
2749 N Orchard Ave, Suite A
Tucson, AZ 85712
Hours
Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
By appointment — call to check availability