I have been considering going totally solar-powered for some time now, but since I need not just cooling in the height of summer but electricity for heating in the winter makes the demand placed upon any solar source for the needs here make it very unlikely that I can achieve that with today’s current state of photovoltaic power generation capabilities and cost.
At any campsite I spend time at, if I do not have a small generator handy then pretty much the only thing I can run off of a portable solar panel or three is a small laptop. With, yes, rechargeable batteries for LED lights after dark. Very limited runtimes for each item as well.
with 12 175 watt panels and 8 golf cart 6 volt batteries on a 24 volt system, 240v inverter,charge controller... I can LIVE in my campground, full size fridge, washer dryer, microwave, coffee pot, satellite tv lights.... It also runs my 385ft 240volt well. During the day is no problem but at night one must conserve. If I ever get off my ass and get 8 more batteries I could make it easy. Now this will NOT run AC of any kind long enough to make a difference., heat is no problem though.
Coffee and Microwave use A LOT of power, way more than any other appliance.,