Solar strategy in the east

BFL13 wrote:
You can get an amp or two in the shade instead of your proper x amps, but so what? 1 amp for 8 hours is 8 AH. Whoopee do.

I agree with everything else in the above post. And almost agree with this last statement, but ...

8 AH is almost nothing, yes. However, if they cover all the roof with panels - even with crystalline panels, ~600W array will generate 2-3 amp under leafy shade, and this is 18-20 AH. Still looks like nothing if your daily draw is over 80 AH. What if somebody's daily draw is 40-50 AH? LED lights, pumps, DC guts of LP frig and small electronics will hardly draw more than 45, and it's realistic to limit it to 30-35 AH on those days when you are not watching TV or laptop. If they cover all the roof with amorphous panels, it could collect more than 30 AH, this is pretty close to what they need then.

Not to advocate MPPT over PWM - no sun is no sun, no matter what - just to note that camping in the shade without generator is possible. Though, I wouldn't be willing to try if it's a dense and permanent shade where panels are not exposed by at least 50% of area for at least an hour a day. Not with crystalline panels for sure. With amorphous - don't know, so few people are using them. Might be the ticket for shade, yes.

200W portable array of regular crystalline panels might work as well (sans microwave), if they stay for at least a week at that place. Otherwise it's too much trouble schlepping them back and forth every time.