I'm looking to get my toes wet with solar so I'm hunting for a decent beginner kit of about 400w that allows for expansion. I'm seeing a lot on the Renology kits...but some of the reviews aren't great. I'm handy and understand basic electrical. I really want to be able to just keep adding lights and pumps and all the sweet gear available to growers without jacking up the electric bill any more than I already am.
I'd prefer to keep the total cost for the initial system to under $1000. I'm really focused on expandability of the system in terms of panels. Where I'm having trouble is amps. The controller determines how many panels I can add (as I understand it, correct me if I'm wrong). I also think I understand that on the other side of the controller is the charger and battery bank which can just keep getting expanded without as much concern for what the system can handle.
Are all these cheaper off grid kits crap or has solar gotten this inexpensive since the last time I looked?
Any and all help is appreciated. (mods: I was going to put this in the eco-friendly products section but since I'm not talking about a specific product I felt this was a better place)
I'd prefer to keep the total cost for the initial system to under $1000. I'm really focused on expandability of the system in terms of panels. Where I'm having trouble is amps. The controller determines how many panels I can add (as I understand it, correct me if I'm wrong). I also think I understand that on the other side of the controller is the charger and battery bank which can just keep getting expanded without as much concern for what the system can handle.
Are all these cheaper off grid kits crap or has solar gotten this inexpensive since the last time I looked?
Any and all help is appreciated. (mods: I was going to put this in the eco-friendly products section but since I'm not talking about a specific product I felt this was a better place)