I am new to this business, but I put a system in last summer and I can tell you about it. I "plunked" down lots, because I like sturdy. Thankful for the utility incentive and Federal rebate. At least I hope it is sturdy. I ended up with 12- 230W BP panels. Prices have gone down since last summer. I used a 48 volts system at 840 Amp hrs, Rolls Surrett's. I went with an Outback system. Fire Mountain Solar was very helpful with the wiring as was the Outback company in answering the many questions I had. I have 80 ft trees, so in the winter I pick up a bit of shading.
I still pretty well averaged 3.5 kwh/day. This last month of April I averaged a little bit over 10 kwh/day. One interesting note was that after a rain, I can get more than the 2760W max, because the air is so clean.
With the wet cell, which I have I would recommend a watering system. Takes 5 seconds once a month. I am using mine for standby, so they stay charged waiting for a storm. Last time we didn't even know it went off till our son came up and said his computer went out, then I asked but you have lights.
I have most lights, and plugs on the system, not the electric oven or septic aireator. So I have included transfer switches if the utility cuts me off when the grid goes down, if necessary. (I had to put a utility cut off) It has helped to go to the 9 w (40Watt) LED. So now in the kitchen I turn on 18 watts instead of 160 watts. My table saw (2hp) kicks out the inverter, so it is off the system. Another thing of interest I have a ~18cf fridge and about same size chest freezer that are energy stars and they use about 1.5kwh/day each. The most that I have made so far is 16.5kwh, but have only been up and running since September 2011. Rambled enough but it was fun rambling, even if no one reads it.
