FYI Basic Solar Kit from Costco
Seems like a good DIY deal with all you get. 4 100w polycrystalline panels, 2000w PSW inverter, and looks like a Xantrex Trace C35Amp controller. http://www.costco.com/.product.100111497.ht...
Forum Discussion
2oldman wrote:Horizon170 wrote:You will need a big building if you expect any heat-related appliances like a water heater. I do not know if WHs are sold as 120v units.
There are several other things the wonderful FREE Sunlight can help us with like water heating, even cooking with the right salvageable items.
Horizon170 said "sunlight", this doesn't always mean "solar electrical energy". There are other ways of solar heating. Rooftop solar water heaters on homes (not on RVs unless the rig is not movable) are VERY common where I spend winters lately. It works very well, the smallest model is enough to make a hot water for 2 people for shower and everything else. This "hot" becomes "warm" when it's cloudy but still in upper 60s. The only time when I needed to use propane for shower was early in the morning.
I still prefer propane for cooking, and guys on the camp with more solar wattage than me and with the same "solar only" approach also prefer propane. Microwave or induction plate increase daily energy draw too much, you can use them but carefully.
