29 TECH TIPS Taking A/C a step further quickly becomes a pricey venture. When you look at supplying power to the A/C from the batteries, no fewer than 800Ah in Lithium batteries to continuously run for it for eight hours. At $1000+ per battery that is a high price tag for any customer. A solar setup will definitely help, but if keeping the batteries charged on a hot day and running a 120V A/C unit requires at least ten panels on the roof. In most cases, that is not possible. The tricky part is that the solar panels will not be able to produce the current necessary to run the A/C permanently. However, it might be worth suggesting running the A/C at certain periods of the day, so that the solar panels will have a chance to catch up and recharge the batteries. Compromise will be key as to when the A/C is most needed and running it only then. This type of customer could also benefit from a third option: running a genny for a few hours to keep the system topped up during peak use. While this may not be ideal for some, it provides an additional avenue for those addicted to creature comforts to be able to actually go of-grid for an extended period of time. We’re down South, the A/C is our life-line SOLAR ARRAY SIZE AVERAGE DC AMP PRODUCTION DAILY PRODUCTION * (EST.) 200 WATT 400 WATT 7-10 AMPS 14-20 AMPS 2.4 kWh (+/-120Ah) 1.2 kWh (+/-60Ah) 600 WATT 800 WATT 21-30 AMPS 31-40 AMPS 4.8 kWh (+/- 240Ah) 3.6 kWh (+/-180Ah) * Based on 6 hours of IDEAL sunlight a day during an 8 hr charge day
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