[RLK]

In the 70s I was part of a research team working on solar cells. 100 mw is what you get. To see the effect of dust and bird crap you need to measure the internal resistance of the cell under various conditions. For some things solae cells will work decently. Just remember something like a small air conditioner will draw in the order of 12 amps at 110 volts. That's a pile of solar cells.

[edwin hubble]

Yes..

1 KW per sq. meter insolation rate (avg).
and 10% efficient cells = about 100 Watts per sq meter.

So... a 12 amp 110 volt air conditioner (1.3 KW) would take about 13 square meters of panels in direct sunlight (normal to sunlight). About 130 sq ft.

[steve86]

Just remember something like a small air conditioner will draw in the order of 12 amps at 110 volts. That's a pile of solar cells.

My brand new RV air conditioner draws 8 amps at 110 volts, putting out 8,000 BTU, which is still in the same ballpark. There is no need for the solar cells to put out that same current. They simply charge the battery array, which then feeds the A/C through an inverter. The 2500 watt inverter can supply quite a lot of current, but not necessarily for as long an interval as you might want. If necessary, the battery array is recharged by generator.