Keystone RV’s Montana brand will debut an exclusive power package in the 2022 model year.
The release is part of Keystone RV’s SolarFlex rollout in the 2022 model year. The company will offer four packages: the SF200, SF400i, SF600i-L and the Montana-exclusive 1200i-L. Packages will be available to all travel trailers and fifth wheels, with the exception of destination trailers.
“We saw an opportunity for Keystone to set a much higher bar for comprehensive, affordable, state-of-the-art RV solar energy systems,” said General Manager Matt Christensen, whom Keystone RV said championed the SolarFlex project.
The SolarFlex 1200i-L will be the most powerful of four solar power packages Keystone RV will introduce as standard OEM equipment this model year. The package includes four 300-watt solar panels created by Future Solutions, a 50-amp Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller, a 3,000-watt inverter/charger with soft start air conditioners and two 270-amp-hour lithium-ion batteries.
“With the right conditions and ultra-fast charging, campers will have a solid power supply to run onboard systems, air conditioning and appliances,” Keystone stated. “540Ah of stored energy allows owners to bank energy to power through days with sub-optimal weather conditions. Victron’s CerboGX provides complete visibility, control and analysis of your energy to maximize your time off the grid.
The 1200i-L system is very similar to Montana’s previous Super SolarFlex offering, Keystone said, and the robust package is consistent with Montana buyers. Keystone said it would gauge buyers’ interest across other brands before deciding whether to offer the 1200i-L beyond Montana.
The work to bring solar power to standard equipment was a joint effort between the Keystone Innovation Lab and Future Solutions.
“Because Future Solutions is an independent, hands-on RV solar upfitter, they had the practical knowledge and experience to develop the customer-focused systems we were looking for,” said Jon Brock, lead innovation engineer at Keystone. “With the freedom to pick and choose the best individual components and technologies for owners and dealers, we were able to design a seamless solution with products we trusted.”
SolarFlex 200 is the base package offering. It includes one 200-watt solar panel, a 15-amp MPPT controller and a Zamp Solar portable solar panel charge port. Keystone RV said the 200 is designed to operate 12-volt systems including water pumps, lights, USB ports, slides, stabilizers, leveling, refrigerators and the iN-Command multiplex system.
“Designed to refill a typical RV battery bank of two group 24 batteries with one day of peak sun, this system includes a smart controller that prevents overcharging and battery damage,” Keystone RV said.
The SolarFlex 200 is available on the Alpine, Arcadia, Avalanche, Bullet, Carbon, Cougar, Fuzion, Fuzion Impact Edition, Hideout, Montana, Montana High Country, Outback, Passport, Premier, Raptor, Springdale and Sprinter brands.
The SolarFlex 400i brings two 200-watt panels, increases the MPPT controller to 30 amps and adds a 2,000-watt inverter.
“SolarFlex 400i introduces many of the conveniences of shore power,” Keystone RV said. “Designed for moderate off-grid power usage, this system allows owners to run up to 2000w of 110-volt powered electronics, including small kitchen appliances, computers, CPAP machines and entertainment systems.”
Neither the 200 nor 400i packages include batteries.
The 400i is available on the Alpine, Arcadia, Avalanche, Bullet, Carbon, Cougar, Fuzion, Fuzion Impact Edition, Montana, Montana High Country, Outback, Passport, Premier, Raptor and Sprinter brands.
The 600i-L package includes two solar panels but their power is increased to 300 watts apiece. The MPPT controller is upped to 50 amps and the inverter/charger grows to 3,000 watts. Additionally, the package includes a 270-amp-hour lithium-ion battery from Dragonfly Energy.
“With SolarFlex 600i-L, owners can use battery power for air conditioning and run multiple 110-volt components simultaneously,” Keystone RV said, “making this an ideal solution for remote workers, gamers and families.”
The 600i-L is available on the Alpine, Arcadia, Avalanche, Carbon, Cougar, Fuzion, Fuzion Impact Edition and Raptor brands.
“This was a massive effort that involved nearly every part of our organization,” Keystone RV President and CEO Jeff Runels said. “Engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, quality assurance, customer service, and marketing worked together to create what we believe will be the highest quality, best supported solar power program on the market for years to come. Programs like SolarFlex are where the expertise, depth and size of our company really shine.”
