Small Solar Setup for Home
How to Go Solar Without Breaking the Bank
I get a lot of calls at Outside Supply from customers and individuals tired of high utility bills, energy surcharges, and the whole mess. They call me looking for a solution to their problems. They want to go all solar for their homes to get rid of their bill and also become more green in the process. Having had a little experience with attempting to go solar on my house, I have usually start with a question regarding the person's average electric bill. Invariably, I get numbers from $200 dollars to $800 dollars a month. I am then quick to explain that it will be very roughly estimated at a cost of $40,000 per hundred dollars of actual energy charges.I can usually hear most individuals jaw hit the floor as I tell them the estimated number. It is almost funny how far we all think our alternative energy technologies have come. Unfortunately, they haven't come far enough for us to continue to live in super inefficient homes that waste tons of power.
The more watts of solar panels you purchase, the faster your batteries will charge and the more output in your system. However more panels cost more money, so most people get to point where they have enough solar power to meet their needs and not break the bank.
The more panels you buy, the more space you need to install them. More panels also require more wiring, larger charge controllers and also a better installation plan. In fact many larger solar arrays for RV's are designed to be set out once the RV is parked. This allows for better orientation of the panels to the sun and also allows for shaded RV spots since the panels can be moved away from the shaded area. They do not however charge the batteries until they are set out, unlike permanently installed roof mount panels. So find or make an installation plan or setup that works for you. 
