[Cruisingdad]

THey basically said:

It is a nice system, a nice mount, but expensive. They also basically said that 70-80 ah/day was quite "optimistic". They averaged 7 a/h from 10-2, with a max output of 7.9 (IIRC) at noon, moving them every hour. They seemed to portray it was a neat mounting system, and would be a good option for some people, but you can buy the pieces on your own much cheaper (now where have I heard that before)??

You know, I have no problem with the SS. I think it is the right design for the right person... as long as that person is realistic. I have tried to stay out of the strong emotions on both sides, but I will say again that if you are looking for a system and mount for under 4k where you can also likely put a wind gen on there and be done with it... look at the SS. If you want something that will basically get you off the grid and does not require any attention other than washing off bird poop, go have an arch built and put on a large array. The cost of a large array is about twice as much as the SS, but it can also serve as davits for a dink, mounting other objects, and will get you off the grid or very close to, and requires no attention. If you add on the other attributes, maybe it is not so expensive anymore. Factor the cost of the arch and panels against a diesel generator, and you will vastly come out better with solar.

- CD

PS I have been running exclsively off of solar for about 2 months (or more)now. My charger has been turned off, both due to lack of electricity and because frankly, I make power for free now.