RV Solar Port Guide: Zamp Solar Ready vs. Go Power! Solar on the Side

If you've ever stood next to your RV wondering what that black circular port on the side is — or why the sticker next to it says something different than your neighbor's rig — you're not alone. RV solar ports have evolved significantly over the years, and two of the most common systems you'll encounter are Zamp Solar Ready and Go Power! Solar on the Side.

This guide walks you through the visual differences, what each system means for your solar setup, and which adapters or cables you'll need to connect your panels.

Zamp Solar Ready Ports

Zamp Solar pioneered the "Solar Ready" pre-wired port concept for RVs. If your rig has a Zamp Solar Ready sticker, it means the manufacturer installed a dedicated solar input port at the factory — no drilling or wiring required. You'll typically see one of two sticker styles depending on the year your RV was built:

• Older style — A simple green-and-black "Solar Ready / Pre-Wired for Solar" sticker with the Zamp Z logo
• Newer style — A more detailed sticker reading "Solar Plug — Attention: Only Use Zamp Solar Portable Charging Systems" alongside the Solar Ready badge
• Dometic/Zamp co-branded — A green "Plug & Play / Ready to Go!" sticker with a QR code, indicating the latest generation port

The port itself is a round black weatherproof cap, typically flush-mounted to the sidewall. The connector inside is a proprietary SAE-style plug.

Go Power! Solar on the Side Ports

Go Power! developed their own sidewall solar port system called Solar on the Side™, now found on RVs from manufacturers including Forest River, Keystone, Nobo, Rockwood, and others. The port looks visually similar to the Zamp port — a round black cap — but is branded Go Power! and rated for 20 amps.

You'll recognize it by the bold black-and-yellow "Solar on the Side" sticker, which reads: "Compatible with any Portable Solar Kit — Rated for 20 Amps — solarontheside.com"

Some newer RVs are equipped with both a rooftop wired connection and a Solar on the Side port, indicated by a Go Power! sticker reading: "This unit is equipped with two solar ready options: Wired for Solar™ and Solar on the Side™."

Learn more at gopowersolar.com/solar-on-the-side.

Which Adapter Do You Need?

The port style determines which cable or adapter you need to connect your portable solar panels:

• Zamp Solar Ready port + Go Power! panels — You'll need an MC4 to SAE adapter to bridge the connection. Shop the Go Power! MC4 to SAE Adapter →
• Go Power! Solar on the Side port — Compatible with any portable solar kit using the standard Go Power! SAE connector. No adapter needed for Go Power! portable kits.
• Zamp ATP port (Legacy/Obsidian series) — Requires an ATP extension cable to reach your panels. Shop ATP Extension Cables →

Quick Visual Reference

Here's a summary of what to look for on your RV's sidewall:

Have questions about which adapter fits your RV? Contact our team — we're happy to help you find the right connection for your solar setup.